California Governor's Office of Economic Development

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) was created by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to serve as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development and assistance with state government.[1] Kish Rajan was selected as the first Director of GO-Biz in 2012, but on May 8, 2015 stepped down from his post to head up a nonprofit in Southern California.[2]

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) includes the following units:

  • Executive: Director, Panorea Avdis.
  • Communications and Policy: Deputy Director, William Koch.
  • California Business Investment Services (CalBis): Deputy Director, Leslie McBride
  • Permit Assistance: Deputy Director, Paul Martin
  • Small Business: Deputy Director, Barbara Vohryzek
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Deputy Director, Louis Stewart
  • International Affairs & Business Development: Deputy Director, Brian Peck
  • External Affairs: Deputy Director, Jorge Jaramillo
  • Legislative and Inter Government Affairs: Deputy Director, Will Koch
  • Legal Affairs: Deputy Director, Grace Arupo-Rodriguez

As part of the Governor’s 2012 Budget, the elements of economic development under GO-Biz were realigned to put stronger emphasis on job creation and promoting California as a place to do business. :

  • Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank)
  • Film Commission
  • Travel and Tourism Commission
  • Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
  • Small Business Development Center

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship department was created by GO-Biz to facilitate and promote innovation in the state of California. This department accomplishes their goals and visions through the Innovation Hub (iHub) Program which is known as “the largest innovation network in the country”.[3] Currently, there are 15 iHubs located throughout California, such as San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles.[4] iHubs primary goal is to ensure that California is a place where ideas can be transformed into innovations and successful businesses in the market force. This in turn promotes job creation, boosts long term economic activity and attracts entrepreneurship in various economic sectors such as medical technology, information technology, agriculture and life sciences.[5]

In efforts to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation, GO-Biz has partnered with California’s higher education system such as the University of California. Events are held on many UC campuses where speakers have the opportunity to speak about topics of their choice as it pertains to business and innovation. Members of the events include but are not limited to: “venture capitalists, students, faculty, and local businesses”.[5] Having a platform where likeminded individuals can discuss and explore creative ideas, “expands its potential to produce innovation that leads to new business growth”.[5] This in turn maintains and expands California as an innovation leader and its competitiveness on both a national and global level.

References

  1. ↑ Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
  2. ↑ "GO-Biz director steps down". Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Business | Innovation and Entrepreneurship". gov-gobiz-elb-1780917013.us-west-2.elb.amazonaws.com. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
  4. ↑ "iHub Regions". business.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  5. 1 2 3 "Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) | UCOP". www.ucop.edu. Retrieved 2017-06-01.


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