Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Marin SBDC reports increased Spanish-language outreach, 222 San Rafael business advising sessions last year
Loading...
Summary
The Marin Small Business Development Center told the San Rafael subcommittee it provided 222 one-on-one advising sessions in the city last year, increased outreach to Spanish-speaking owners and launched new programming including artist business support and microlending workshops.
Miriam, executive director of the Marin Small Business Development Center, told the San Rafael Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee on March 24 that the center provided 222 one-on-one advising sessions for San Rafael business owners last year and increased Spanish-language outreach.
"This report is only San Rafael data... this last year, we served 222 business owners with one-on-one business advising," Miriam said. She told the panel the SBDC spent about 20% more time with clients and increased contact with Spanish-speaking owners (about a 27% uptick in outreach), a change she attributed to a new county contract and partnerships such as Canal Alliance.
The center also launched new programs this year, including an artist business program and targeted workshops. Miriam said workshops included business licensing clinics and financing panels designed to introduce lenders and microlenders and explain loan approval processes. She said the SBDC has run two online microlending panels and is exploring in-person events.
On outcomes, Miriam said the data the center attributes to its work include roughly $5.7 million in capital infusion and $4.5 million in increased sales, plus 93 jobs created. She cautioned the data are self-reported and therefore undercount the center's full impact.
Councilmembers asked how the SBDC receives referrals and how the city can expand awareness. Stacy Lauman, economic development program manager, said staff routes many business-license inquiries to the SBDC and provides flyers at the front counter. Councilmembers suggested exploring automated prompts in the business-license renewal process and highlighting SBDC services at tax-license payment checkboxes.
Miriam and councilmembers also discussed local lending options. The director said San Rafael has fewer community development financial institutions than larger Bay Area cities and that reconnecting with bank partners and CDFIs is a priority. "We've been starting bank visits, and we're trying to build that connection back so that it bridges the community," she said.
The subcommittee did not take any formal action on the presentation. Staff members said they would continue coordinating referrals and outreach to increase awareness of SBDC services.
The subcommittee is scheduled to reconvene April 19.
