Sonoma County BEST Mid-Year Report - Ahead of the Curve

As we pass the midpoint of the year, the BEST Board of Directors is happy to report that BEST has helped Sonoma County businesses create 335 direct jobs so far in 2015 with an estimated annual payroll of nearly $22M. BEST is on track to meet the total job creation goal of 2,570 direct jobs established when BEST was launched, sooner than anticipated.

Specifically, BEST has:

• Met with more than 450 companies over the past four years and helped them create 2,072 direct jobs by helping to solve the challenges they faced and take advantage of the opportunities they had.
• Recruited six new companies to Sonoma County that now employ 110 people. These new companies are ones that complement the region’s existing industries and position the region for further job growth.
• Created both a Food Industry Group and a Technology Industry Group. Each of these is actively pursuing a variety of programs that are helping participating companies and the entire industry grow and add jobs.
• Organized a suppliers’ fair that has linked local components manufacturers with area end manufacturers to increase the amount of business being done in the community amongst these businesses.
• Worked with area manufacturers and food producers to recruit talented young employees to the area by attending recruiting fairs at universities like UC Davis, SRJC and Sonoma State.
• In partnership with TeamCA, BEST hosted the annual Site Selectors Meet the Consultants conference in order to influence corporate relocation decision makers from around the country.

The ongoing health of our area economy depends on efforts like these -- to work directly with area businesses to create jobs -- and BEST is committed to continuing to do so. To learn more about BEST, visit their website at SonomaCountyBEST.com.