Roseville council approves $394,000 package and Chamber contract to expand Venture Lab programming

The Roseville City Council on Sept. 3 voted unanimously to amend the city's agreements and authorize funding to expand the Roseville Venture Lab, a downtown hub for entrepreneurship, workforce development and youth programming.

City staff presented a package that included an amended program agreement with the Growth Factory, a two-year professional services agreement with the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce, authorization to sign partner sponsorship agreements, and a budget ordinance to transfer $394,000 into the Venture Lab project fund. The council approved the measures on a 5-0 roll call.

The city will transfer $300,000 from the Strategic Improvement Fund into the Venture Lab project fund and expects to transfer $94,000 in sponsorship receipts into the same fund as sponsors deliver on their commitments, staff said. The professional services agreement with the Chamber is for an amount not to exceed $80,000 per year for two years to support management and programming for the space. Wayne Wiley, the city's economic development manager, told the council the $394,000 covers the next phase of programming and operations for the Lab.

Why it matters: Council members and presenters framed the move as an investment in local entrepreneurship and workforce pipelines. City staff highlighted that the Venture Lab attracted more than 4,000 visitors last year from a previously vacant city-owned space and that the Lab has become a convening location for industry, education and community partners.

Staff presentation and financial details

Melissa Agiano, Roseville's economic development director, joined Wiley for the presentation. Wiley reviewed a multi-year implementation plan that began in 2022 and said the next phase of work emphasizes expanded program delivery. He described specific new offerings under consideration, including CAD (computer-aided design) classes, financial empowerment programs for youth and adults, a virtual-reality career exploration program developed with the Roseville Joint Union High School District, innovation challenges and workforce development programming aligned with regional partners such as CalEPIC and the Health Education Council.

Wiley said the Growth Factory, which helped create the Lab and its initial programs, will not continue to manage the physical space; the city proposes the Chamber assume day-to-day management and program delivery support under the $80,000-per-year professional services agreement.

Budget mechanics: Wiley and Agiano told the council that $300,000 of the requested $394,000 would come from the Strategic Improvement Fund (SIF) and would not affect the General Fund. The remaining $94,000 reflects sponsorship payments already committed and to be transferred into the project fund. Staff said additional partner commitments totaling roughly $130,000 have been made to support programming; as other sponsorship payments arrive staff will submit subsequent budget adjustments.

Public comment: strong cross-sector support

Speakers from the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce, higher education, regional economic development and local nonprofits uniformly urged the council to approve the package.

Ananda Vochita, CEO of the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber will provide "daily oversight, programming, and operational excellence," and highlighted a planned career-exploration partnership with the city and the school district. "This isn't just a space," she said. "It's part of the building blocks of growing this incredible city." (Ananda Vochita, Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce)

Dr. Amy Schultz, executive dean of workforce and strategic initiatives at Sierra College, cited workforce-advisory activities and a regional public safety training center planning exercise convened at the Lab. "The partnership with the city demonstrates how higher education and local government can work together to strengthen innovation, expand opportunity, and create pathways for our residents," Schultz said. (Dr. Amy Schultz, Sierra College)

Representatives from the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, the Roseville Joint Union High School District, Placer Robotics, the Arts Council of Placer County and the Growth Factory described programs run out of the Lab (Roseville Rising, youth robotics and entrepreneurship academies, talent-pipeline and sector partnerships) and attributed measured community benefits to the Lab's programming.

Council deliberations and vote

Council members asked clarifying questions about the math behind the budget adjustment, the difference between sponsorship commitments and funds already received, and how the Chamber's talent-pipeline events will use the space. Wiley and Agiano explained that $300,000 would transfer from the SIF into the project fund, that $94,000 in sponsorship funds are on hand for transfer, and that the $80,000-per-year Chamber agreement is included within programmatic expenses.

After the discussion, a council member moved to approve the staff recommendations; the motion was seconded. The council voted 5-0: Vice Mayor Karen Albert, Council Member Heldeshoe, Council Member Mendonza, Council Member Ricucci and Mayor Krista Bernasconi all voted yes.

What the council approved (key items)

- Resolution No. 25-293: Amended and restated program agreement between the City of Roseville and the Growth Factory (authorized city manager to execute).

- Resolution No. 25-294: Professional services agreement between the City of Roseville and the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce (authorized city manager to execute; not to exceed $80,000 per year for two years).

- Resolution No. 25-295: Standard partner sponsorship funding agreement (approved form and authorized city manager to execute partner sponsorship agreements).

- Ordinance No. 6986: Amending the FY 2025-26 budget and appropriating funds for the Venture Lab project (declared immediately effective as an appropriation measure).

What happens next

Staff said they will finalize and execute the amended program agreement with the Growth Factory, execute the Chamber professional services agreement, and begin program expansion and sponsorship onboarding. Staff also said additional partner funding that arrives later will be transferred into the project and reflected in subsequent budget adjustments.

Community context

Council and commenters framed the Venture Lab as a regional model and a way to retain and train local talent. Sierra College and the Roseville Joint Union High School District emphasized that the Lab serves as a gateway for students into high-demand careers. Local small-business founders and nonprofit leaders described how programs such as Roseville Rising and youth robotics have expanded opportunities in the city.

Funding and oversight notes

City staff emphasized that the requested $300,000 is drawn from the Strategic Improvement Fund rather than the General Fund. The Chamber's professional services agreement was described as a short-term (two-year) arrangement to build capacity for space management and program delivery. Staff said future funding beyond the two-year window will be considered as part of subsequent budget cycles.

Council commentary and next meeting

Council members expressed support for the Lab and appreciation for partner organizations that spoke. The council approved the package and paused briefly to take a group photograph with several partners present in the chamber. The City Council will return for its next regular meeting on Sept. 17.