Anaheim's "Powerful Partnership for Business," is an aggressive advocate for business. This dynamic team effort integrates the resources of the City's Public Utilities and Community Development Departments to help Anaheim businesses become more competitive at local, regional and global levels.

The partnership's goal is straightforward: provide programs, incentives, assistance and opportunities that help corporate growth and success. The team works to create aggressive, customized business programs for companies seeking to remain, expand or relocate within the City. A staff of economic development professionals work directly with businesses as primary contacts and liaison with various City departments to provide specifically tailored assistance.

Public Utilities Department

Unlike any other Southern California City, Anaheim can, through its Powerful Partnership, provide a unique mix of public utilities and economic development support. Among its many innovative business programs:

• Public Utility Department Incentives -- The City's Resource Efficiency Division helps your business become more resource efficient, improving your bottom line.
• Energy/Water Audit -- A utilities advisor will evaluate lighting, air conditioning and process equipment, recommending both equipment and operational efficiency options.
• New Construction Design Review -- An "energy expert" can review new building plans and make energy efficiency recommendations to produce a cost-effective, high performance facility.
• Rate Analysis -- Utility analysis constantly reviews customer operations to assure that customers are on the most beneficial rate for which they qualify.
• Incentive Rates -- New customers or those with expanding electric loads may qualify for billing of that new load on an economic development rate designed to encourage extended hours of operation.
• Dusk to Dawn Lighting -- This program provides free, high-pressure sodium lighting fixtures to improve outdoor lighting and discourage theft and vandalism. The lamps are energy-efficient, vandal resistant and operate on a photo sensor, shining from dusk to dawn.
• New Construction Programs -- Rebates are offered to businesses which install energy-efficient equipment in excess of state Title-24 efficiency standards in new or expanded facilities.
• Partners in Efficiency (PIE) -- Through PIE, up-front financing options allow customers to install energy and cost-saving equipment, including thermal energy storage systems, that are repaid through savings on the participants' electric bills.
  
  

Community Development Department

Anaheim's Community Development Department leads the City's efforts for residential, retail, office, industrial, redevelopment and related land planning, development and improvements.

Economic Development Division

Consolidated into the Community Development Department in 1991, the Economic Development Division is responsible for the City's business retention, expansion and attraction efforts.

The division administers several programs which benefit businesses looking to remain or relocate within Anaheim's City limits. Among them are:

Small Business Assistance Program - Offers a quarterly newsletter, workshops, consultation services, and roundtable breakfasts designed to assist small businesses. Approximately 8,900 businesses currently receive the Anaheim Business Connection newsletter containing articles on current issues affecting those doing business in the City. In addition, over 900 people attend workshops each year for assistance with regulatory compliance, business and marketing plans, medical waste management, financial assistance, etc.

Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) - Anaheim's RMDZ offers assistance to companies which use recycled goods to manufacture consumer-ready end-products. The City's RMDZ is located in the 2,500-acre Anaheim Canyon Business Center in East Anaheim.

Manufacturing companies located in the RMDZ, and those relocating to the zone, can receive a host of benefits including:

• Low interest loans. Funding is available at up to 50% or a maximum of $1 million of project costs per loan for real property, machinery and equipment, working capital, land and refinancing of current debt.
• Engineering and technical aid.
• Siting assistance.
• Permitting assistance.

Anaheim's Community Development Department will assist each company in the application process and serve as a contact between participating businesses and the state organization that provides the program's funding and support.

Industrial Development Bonds

A low-cost, long-term financing program is available to help manufacturers purchase property or equipment.

Job Training Program (JTP)

The JTP matches employers' work force needs with qualified job seekers. Participating businesses benefit in a variety of ways, including:

• Cost savings for personnel recruitment and job skills training.
• Wage subsidies, up to 50%.
• Paid internships.
• Assistance during worker lay-offs or business closures.
• Positive community relations through employment of local residents.
• Career Employment Center

Anaheim Redevelopment Agency

The agency leads the City's efforts for industrial, retail, office and residential development. Through its efforts, several aging and deteriorated areas of the City have become vibrant focal points for work and play, and are emerging as contemporary business and residential communities.

The agency focuses on six project areas. If your business is located in -- or you are considering relocating into -- one of the project areas, Redevelopment Agency staff may be able to assist you with:

• Off-Site Improvements -- Including street, utility and other infrastructure improvements.
• Partial Financing -- The Agency is permitted to participate in financing projects which will generate new revenue.
• Redevelopment Assistance -- Land assembly and land write downs. Rebate of Agency/City funds on value-added tax revenue.
• Site Evaluation -- Land use evaluation to identify and assess potential new sites.
• Financing -- Rehabilitation loans and lender partnerships with the Small Business Finance Corporation.
• Infrastructure -- Commuter rail links and traffic improvements. City-owned electric and water utilities.
• Housing -- Ownership opportunities/down payment assistance. Rent subsidy and shared housing.