- Home
- Programs and Activities
- Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ)
- RMDZ and Business Resources
RMDZ and Business Resources
Loans
Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ)
Program offered by CalRecycle encourages qualifying manufacturers to utilize recycled feedstock or incorporate waste reducing practices in RMDZ areas. Low-interest loans, permitting assistance and business development assistance are available.
504 Certified Development Company (CDC) Program
Provides growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. A Certified Development Company is a nonprofit corporation set up to contribute to the economic development of its community. CDCs work with the SBA and private-sector lenders to provide financing to small businesses. Each CDC covers a specific geographic area. (Find the CDC in your area.)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Funding Programs
Offers to create and save rural jobs and improve the economic and environmental climate of rural communities. The program guarantees a maximum of 90% on loans up to $2 million, a maximum of 80% on loans of $2-5 million and a maximum of 60% on loans above $10-25 million.
MicroLoans
MicroLoan Program
Provides very small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns. Under this program, SBA makes funds available to nonprofit community based lenders (intermediaries) which, in turn, make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts up to a maximum of $35,000. The average loan size is about $10,500. Applications are submitted to the local intermediary and all credit decisions are made on the local level.
Bond Financing
Manufacturing Equipment (PDF)
California Communities provide eligible businesses (borrowers) located within California with tax exempt financial assistance. This will enable borrowers to finance between $500,000 and $10 million of equipment for manufacturing, processing solid waste or recycling solid waste at a lower interest rate than generally available through commercial financing. Contact: James Hamill, (925) 933-9229 x216
Small Business Pollution Control Tax-Exempt Bond Financing Program
Offered through the California Pollution Control Financing Authority to California businesses for the acquisition, construction, or installation of qualified pollution control, waste disposal, and resource recovery facilities. Loan amounts start at $1 million and increase depending on size of business.
Industrial Development Bond (IDB)
Tax-exempt financing is beneficial because companies can borrow at a substantially reduced interest rate. IDBs are available to manufacturers for the purchase of land, buildings, and capital equipment through below-market financing, at tax-exempt interest rates.
California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA)
This program offers companies seeking cost-effective, tax-exempt capital to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation, construction of, or the acquisition of new equipment for solid waste and exempt facilities.
Grants
U.S. Department of Energy
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are U.S. Government programs in which federal agencies with large research and development (R&D) budgets set aside a small fraction of their funding for competitions among small businesses only. Small businesses that win awards in these programs keep the rights to any technology developed and are encouraged to commercialize the technology.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
EERE accelerates the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economywide by no later than 2050. It invests in clean energy technologies that are ready to be demonstrated and deployed, as well as R&D activities that advance early-stage technologies with a clear path to deployment.
Loan Guarantees
Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) Loan Guarantee Program
One of SBA's most used type loan of SBA's business loan programs. It provides loans to small businesses unable to secure financing on reasonable terms through normal lending channels. The program operates through participating private-sector lenders.
Forgivable Loans
California Recycle Underutilized Sites (Cal ReUSE) Program (PDF)
Implemented by the California Pollution Control Financing Authority to assist with the reuse and redevelopment of underutilized properties with real or perceived contamination issues (brownfields). Cal ReUSE provides forgivable loans to fund site assessment and characterization, technical assistance and remedial action plans and site access.
Guide(s)
Business Development
U.S. Small Business Administration
Established in 1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, in addition to a venture capital portfolio of $13 billion, SBA is the nation's largest single financial backer of small businesses.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Contra Costa Small Business Development Center encourages and supports the growth and success of small businesses in Contra Costa County by providing professional consulting services and a wide variety of educational programs. Our services are made possible by funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency and grants from Contra Costa County, the City of Antioch and the City of Pittsburg. Services are available to all residents of Contra Costa County without discrimination.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) consists of more than 11,500 volunteer business counselors and provides small business mentoring and advice on a full range of business topics. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration and aids small businesses nationwide. SCORE business counselors can help develop effective business plans and create strategies for business growth.
Business Plan Resources
CalRecycle RMDZ staff recommends using this Business Plan Outline to prepare a one or two page business plan.
The Small Business Administration has an online resource called "The Business Plan - Road Map to Success" which is a self-paced tutorial.
Sample Business Plans are available online for over 500 different business types.
Writing Business Plans for Recycling Enterprises: Plastics, Glass or Rubber is a comprehensive guide put together by the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
Employee Attainment & Development and Other Employer Resources
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) helps businesses find skilled workers, stay competitive, and make informed decisions by offering services such as job placement assistance, up-to-date information on the labor market and emerging occupations, and tax and hiring incentives.
Employment Training Panel (ETP)
The Employment Training Panel (ETP), a joint business-labor supported state agency, provides training funds to empower workers, promote businesses and propel the state's economy. ETP usually provides between $70-$100 million per year in training funds. In general, companies are eligible to apply for ETP funding provided they are paying into the state's Employment Training Fund (ETF) and meet at least one of three requirements.
Economic Development Resources
Enterprise Zones
The cities of Pittsburg and Richmond each have an Enterprise Zone. The State of California offers tax incentives to businesses within an Enterprise Zone. Hiring credit is given for part of the wages paid to eligible new hires. Over a five-year period this could mean up to $20,000 per employee. Sales and use tax credit for the full amount of sales and use tax paid on specific machinery bought for use in the Enterprise Zone. Business expense deduction for depreciable, tangible property. Businesses in the Enterprise Zone can deduct up to $10,000 per item. Net interest deduction for lenders who make loans in the Zone. Lenders can deduct net interest income made on certain loans to businesses within the Enterprise Zone.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs)
The primary purpose of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities, principally for persons of very low- and low-income. CDBG funds are directed to housing, economic development, infrastructure improvements, public facilities, and public service projects.
The County administers the CDBG program for the entire County, less the cities of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek, which administer independent CDBG programs.
Other Economic Development Assistance
Contra Costa Economic Partnership offers economic development assistance.
Analysis and Energy Audit Programs
Industrial Assessment Center
Industrial Assessment Center at SFSU performs a no-cost analysis for small and mid-size manufacturing facilities located within 150 miles of San Francisco on issues of: Energy Conservation (ECO), Waste Minimization (WMO), and Productivity Improvement (PIO).
PG&E Targeted Energy Audit Program
PG&E Targeted Energy Audit Program provides an inspection of your facility by a technical consultant to identify low-cost and no-cost energy-saving techniques and recommend incentive programs to help you afford measures requiring an investment in energy-efficient equipment.
PG&E On-Site Energy Audit Program
PG&E On-Site Energy Audit Program provides an on-site audit to identify potential energy-saving measures and help you complete applications for various incentive programs.
Waste Assessment
Waste Assessments are offered through many local recycling agencies or haulers. To learn if a free waste assessment is available for businesses in your area contact Justin Sullivan at 925-674-7812 or justin.sullivan@dcd.cccounty.us.
Energy Rebates
PG & E Equipment Rebates:
PG & E Equipment Rebates: Express Efficiency Program generally runs from April 1 to December 13, or until allocated program funds ($7 Million) are spent, whichever comes first. With the program's expert assistance and rebates, business customers can reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort and performance.
PG & E Non-Residential Standard Performance Contract (SPC) Program
PG & E Non-Residential Standard Performance Contract (SPC) Program will pay cash for custom designed energy savings retrofits of existing business facilities. SPC can provide cash to help defray the costs of installing energy efficient equipment so utility customers can reduce their energy bills.
- Brochure (PDF)
- SPC Program Manual & Forms
Technology Resources
Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (MANEX)
Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (MANEX) is a consulting company that provides technical and business solutions tailored to small- to medium-sized manufacturers. Consultation and training services focus on strategic planning, process improvement, executive coaching and training services.
Consortium on Green Design and Manufacturing (CGDM)
Consortium on Green Design and Manufacturing (CGDM) at UC Berkeley, College of Engineering is an industry/government/university partnership to develop linkages between manufacturing and design and their environmental effects and integrate engineering information, management practices, and government policy making.
University of California (UC) Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)
University of California (UC) Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) oversees UC systemwide efforts to encourage the use of University research results for the public benefit. OTT focuses on patenting and licensing inventions and in working with industry in support of the University's education, research, and public service mission.
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC)
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is the nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides a forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking technologies and expertise with the marketplace. The FLC develops and tests transfer methods, addresses barriers to the process, provides training, highlights grass-roots transfer efforts, and emphasizes national initiatives where technology transfer has a role. For the public and private sector, the FLC brings laboratories together with potential users of government-developed technologies. The portion of the site devoted to environmental technologies provides descriptions of technologies of interest to environmental companies, including those focused on hazardous waste management, recycling, pollution prevention, soil remediation, and environmentally friendly materials.
National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC)
The National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) is a leader in technology brokering services. Its mediated approach to marketing select technologies that have been qualified and deemed to be of high commercial potential has established NTTC as a market leader in utilizing the Web to facilitate the transfer and commercialization of technology.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is an important new small business program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena.
Packing Resources
The Cal Recycle Shipping & Distribution Partnership is a voluntary effort created to encourage businesses to adopt more efficient packaging and distribution systems that save money while preventing waste and improving operations. The web site is arranged by audience, packaging type, and topic. This site includes information on workshops and provides case studies that demonstrate how companies can save money and keep packaging out of landfills.
Hewlett Packard is a recognized leader in Environmentally Responsible Packaging and has developed an extensive program which is available for use by others online. Although their program was developed for computer products it is easily adapted to many other products.