The City of Sacramento has selected six companies to participate in its Economic Gardening 2.0 pilot program and potentially receive up to $50,000 matching funds for future growth.
The program pairs local companies with funding as well as experts who assist in analyzing data and creating strategies to achieve desired outcomes. In order to be selected, companies must already be established and have five to 99 employees and $1 million to $50 million in revenues.
“We can’t rely on attracting corporate headquarters from elsewhere in order to grow and diversify our economy in Sacramento,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “We must focus our attention on nurturing the entrepreneurs who have already planted their businesses in Sacramento and help them to expand and thrive. Our Economic Gardening 2.0 program is a key component of that strategy. The young companies we are working with today could be our major employers in the future.”
The City of Sacramento’s Urban Technology Lab (SUTL) is facilitating the Economic Gardening 2.0 program in partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Career Center. In addition to receiving the matching funds, the businesses also have an opportunity to work with the CSUS Career Center on talent development and to partner with a student fellow.
The six companies work in areas including construction, event planning, meal delivery and manufacturing, and marketing. These businesses already contribute to the City’s economy but through the Economic Gardening 2.0 program, they will be able to grow their market share, reach and workforce. Four of the businesses are highlighted below:
Trifecta in DOCO in downtown Sacramento is a ready-made organic meal delivery service with a focus on healthy meal options.
Preservation & Co in Midtown Sacramento produces hand-crafted and hand-packed products such as bloody Mary mix, pickled vegetables and sauces.
Uptown Studios on Broadway in Sacramento is a creative firm founded in 1992 specializing in graphic design, website design, hosting and management, video production and marketing services.
AHI Construction, soon to open an office in Sacramento, will focus on the booming construction industry in the city.
The other businesses include Honey and The Party Concierge.
“This program is huge because it gives us a chance to retain and expand business in the area, rather than solely attracting it from the outside,” said the City’s Chief Innovation Officer Louis Stewart. “It is crucial that we explore innovative ways to support our local economy.”
The Economic Gardening Program 2.0 program is one of the strategies the City is implementing to promote inclusive economic and community development to build local businesses and create jobs in the region. SUTL is also implementing a $1 million Innovation Grant program to grow the local startup community to build industry-specific workforces, market local resources and encourage companies to relocate to the area and growth. Find more details here: https://innovatesac.org/economic-gardening/