Business Resources and Incentives
California’s 13th largest city and home to regional rail, water, and street transportation, Downtown Stockton is located in a Property Based Improvement District. Explore a incentives available to business and property investors to help make downtown attractive to new entrepreneurs and a destination for visitors and residents. Click on the topics below for more information
Brick & Mortar Entrepreneur Program
Brick & Mortar (B&M) Entrepreneur Program is created and managed by the Downtown Stockton Alliance and funded by a City of Stockton Economic Development Grant. It’s focus is providing basic business training to local start ups, connecting them to opportunities in the District and promoting existing local small business and arts.
Learn more about Brick & Mortar Center and apply to the training.
Downtown Stockton Enterprise Loan Fund
The Downtown Stockton Enterprise Loan Fund (DSELF) was established to assist current and prospective downtown business owners with the cost of maintaining their current business or starting a new business. The DSELF offers loans from $5,000 – $50,000 and may be used for most reasonable business purposes including: Tenant Improvements and Expansion, Operating Capital, Creation of Housing or Mixed-Use Environments, Inventory, Product Development, Marketing and Signage, or Start-up Costs.
Download the DSELF Application. For more information, call Downtown Stockton Alliance at (209) 888-8621.
City of Stockton Business Assistance Programs
The City of Stockton offers various financial assistance programs for businesses located in Stockton.
Commercial Facade Improvement Forgivable Loan Program
Small Business Micro Loan Program
Downtown Financial Incentive Program
Emergency Grant Program
Fee Deferral Program
For detailed information on these programs, contact the City of Stockton Economic Development Department at (209) 937-8530, or visit their website.
Advantage Stockton
AdvantageStockton.com is a powerful web-based economic development tool intended to facilitate potential businesses looking to locate in Stockton. Its features include: Geographic Information System (GIS) software; Immediate access to in-depth information including dynamic real estate, demographic, and industry analysis; and a database of available properties with images.
For more information contact the City of Stockton Economic Development Department at (209) 937-8530.
Helpful Links
Business Plan Templates from SCORE
Small Business Development Center
City of Stockton Economic Development
Stockton SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Businesses
San Joaquin County Worknet Labor Market Information
Downtown Stockton Transportation Hub
U.S. Small Business Administration
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Doing Business with the State of California
Small Business Certifications for Federal Government Contracting
Sacramento Active SBA Lenders
Current and Past Projects in Downtown with Zoning Maps
California Workforce Investment Board – Business Services Resource Catalog