Small Business News and Events

San Francisco to Launch New Small Business Center

In November 2007 San Francisco voters approved Proposition I, which called for the creation of an Office of Small Business to focus on the needs of San Francisco businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The Proposition outlined the following responsibilities for the new Office:

1. Centralize and coordinate the information and advice services to small businesses managed by other City departments.
2. Operate a Small Business Assistance Center, which shall support the full diversity of San Francisco’s small businesses with information concerning:
a. business structure and formation, obtaining necessary licenses, accessing financial resources, and finding appropriate real estate;
b. obtaining City permits;
c. bidding on government contracts and participating in the City purchasing process;
d. complying with government laws and regulations; and
e. adopting “green” and sustainable business practices.

The Mayor has directed the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) to set up the Office of Small Business and create the Small Business Assistance Center. OEWD is committed to hiring staff and opening the office quickly and commissioned a report to lay the groundwork for its implementation.

For complete information about the Small Business Assitance Center and the Small Business Commission please visit: www.sfgov.org/smallbusiness