Relocating or Opening a Business Location: 5 Telecom Mistakes to Avoid
The many elements of modern telecom. Ah…the good old days. We love our cords of many colors. Are you planning to relocate or open a new business location? Some of the most important decisions you’ll...
View ArticlePetaluma Retail Sales Tax Demystified
Sales Tax = Quality of Life Every time you purchase a taxable item in Petaluma, you help to improve quality of life in our town. That’s because Petaluma retail sales tax revenues help to pay for vital...
View ArticleWhere to Donate Food This November
Petaluma is a generous town all year-round. But as Thanksgiving approaches, many in the community are motivated to donate a little extra to those in need. Here are a few local non-profits collecting...
View Article3 Ways to Get Free Advice for Small Business
Many aspiring entrepreneurs have a great idea yet lack the knowledge they need to start and run a business. Even longtime business owners can enter unfamiliar territory when they expand their company...
View ArticleGrease Removal Requirements
Attention Food Service Establishments The City’s Public Works Department has special Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) removal requirements that apply to any facility where food is manufactured, packaged,...
View ArticleIncentive & Reimbursement Programs
There are a variety of tax credit and workforce reimbursement programs available through local and state agencies. If you are a manufacturer planning to purchase equipment, or a company in any...
View ArticleReady. Set. Permit!
4 Reasons You’ll Need a City Permit or Inspection Most businesses will need a permit at some point in their lifespan. Unfortunately, many businesses make important decisions without understanding...
View ArticleNew Petaluma Career & Lifestyle Guide
The City of Petaluma is pleased to announce the creation of a Career & Lifestyle Guide that showcases Petaluma as a place to grow a career and build a life. Available as a printed document or a...
View ArticlePublic Relations Tips
Most companies and nonprofits would agree at least in concept that PR is important, especially in today’s digital age where content is king. Unfortunately, many organizations—especially small...
View ArticleThe 5 C’s: What Lenders Want
You’ll improve your chance of getting a business loan if your application addresses the Five C’s, an evaluation framework lenders use during the loan process. It’s not easy to get a business loan from...
View ArticleJob Fair Tips for Business
Want to get more out of your company’s job fair experiences? Read these tips from Nancy Keene of the Sonoma County Job Link and Ciera Pratt of Staff Staffing. Look for smaller or more-focused venues...
View ArticleBusiness Safety Inspections
To protect you and your customers, Petaluma inspects new and relocating businesses for several safety standards before issuing a business license. To be sure that your business is safe, an inspector...
View Article5 Tips to Improve Employee Retention
Christine Campbell, Business Development Manager at Nelson With local unemployment rates at historic lows, North Bay employers are not only having trouble finding new employees but also keeping the...
View ArticlePetaluma Retail Sales Tax Demystified
Sales Tax = Quality of Life Every time you purchase a taxable item in Petaluma, you help to improve quality of life in our town. That’s because Petaluma retail sales tax revenues help to pay for vital...
View ArticleEmergency Preparedness Tips for Business
Jessica Power, Fire Marshal Developing and implementing a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan takes time. Here are three ways to jump start your efforts. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the...
View ArticleGrease Removal Requirements
Attention Food Service Establishments The City’s Public Works Department has special Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) removal requirements that apply to any facility where food is manufactured, packaged,...
View ArticleBusiness Insurance Tips
Emergency preparedness is not only about preventing injury and damage in your business. It’s also about resilience—that is, how quickly and completely you and your employees can bounce back, both at...
View ArticleCity of Petaluma Emergency Preparedness
The City of Petaluma follows standard emergency management protocols in the way it plans for and response to emergencies. The cornerstone of this system is the City’s Emergency Operations Center, or...
View Article3 Tips to a Faster Permit Process
Business start-up or expansion projects often trigger the need for permits from different City divisions/departments. The first two questions people ask after, “Which permits do I need?” are “How much...
View ArticleBuilding Professionals to Hire
We live in a DIY culture–and that’s fine for things like making a holiday wreath or changing the oil in your car. But one thing you shouldn’t do on your own is navigate city requirements as part of a...
View Article