CITY OF STOCKTON
“We want to be a major part of helping grow and strengthen
the local entrepreneurial ecosystem while solidifying Stockton
as a place that businesses can be built and be successful.”
Anne Driscoll, founder and CEO, Launch Pad
A long list of programs
Kailani Haro prepares food for her business,
VegTac, in the Stockton Community Kitchen.
Stockton Community Kitchen helps under-resourced
entrepreneurs and community members. In mid-April
it began providing meals for the elderly and families
in need isolated by the coronavirus pandemic.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RIMA BARKETT OF STOCKTON
COMMUNITY KITCHEN
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comstocksmag.com | May 2020
Stockton offers financial assistance to
businesses, including the Small Business
Micro Loan Program, with loans of up
to $30,000, and the Storefront Facade
Beautification Micro Grant Program, a
reimbursable grant of up to $2,000 for
businesses along specific commercial
corridors to make improvements to the
outward appearance of the shop, such as
signage, windows and planters.
Helping to remove some of the chal-
lenges of starting or doing business, the
city also has an emergency grant (up to
$7,500 to businesses needing to fix code
violations) and fee deferral programs, as
well as 19 “opportunity zones.” Opportuni-
ty zones provide federal tax incentives for
those who invest in real estate projects and
businesses within designated low-income
areas. A handful of Stockton’s opportunity
zones are in the downtown core, a targeted
area for revitalization, as mentioned by
Wright.
The nonprofit Downtown Stockton
Alliance has been heavily involved in
the city’s economic development. The
public-private partnership includes around
630 property owners and businesses. DSA
offers a microloan for up to $100,000,
even for businesses that have been turned
down by banks.
DSA also has a Placemaking Award
Program, which launched in February.
“Businesses can apply for a Placemaking
grant of up to $20,000,” says Michael Hu-
ber, executive director. “All $20,000 may
go to one business or individual, or it may