IVRCC Partners with GO-Biz and the Office of Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz for Small Business Roundtable in Calipatria
Updated: 23 hours ago
The Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a Small Business Roundtable on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Calipatria Community Center, partnering with the Office of Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) and the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to walk local business owners through the federal and state resources available to them.
The session focused on one practical goal: making sure Imperial Valley small businesses know exactly where to turn, whether the need is financing, technical assistance, or help navigating a federal agency.
Federal Resources: What Congressman Ruiz’s Office Can Do
Representative Sara Solorzano from the Office of Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) walked attendees through the role a congressional office can play for a small business, and just as importantly, where its role ends.
The office can help when a business is waiting on a response from a federal agency, having difficulty getting information, or struggling to navigate federal bureaucracy. Casework staff can contact the appropriate agency, request updates, and help facilitate communication. What the office cannot do: override a federal agency’s decision, provide legal or tax advice, act as an attorney or accountant, or guarantee a particular outcome.
For federal agency issues such as the IRS, Social Security, VA, or USPS, Congressman Ruiz’s office can be reached through its casework team at:
El Centro Office: 343 S. 8th Street, Suite A, El Centro, CA 92243 — (760) 592-2646
Online casework requests: ruiz.house.gov/contact
State Resources: What GO-Biz Offers
Rebecca Eusey, Business Development Manager for GO-Biz’s Southern Border Region, presented an overview of the state programs available to Imperial Valley businesses, including:
CalOSBA SCALE: No-cost 1:1 business advising, a pathway to funding, and low-cost training, connecting business owners with a trusted advisor from idea to exit.
IBank Small Business Loan Guarantee: Supports businesses with 1 to 750 employees by guaranteeing up to 80 percent of a loan, up to $5 million over seven years, for working capital, inventory, expansion, construction, and agriculture.
Partial Sales Tax Exemption: A 3.9375 percent sales tax exemption on qualifying manufacturing and R&D equipment, with no application deadline.
R&D Tax Credit: A 15 percent credit on qualifying research spending above a base amount, and 24 percent for payments to third-party research organizations.
California Competes Tax Credit: An income tax credit for businesses locating, relocating, or expanding in California, with the next application windows running January 4–25 and March 1–15, 2027.
Employment Training Panel (ETP): Reimburses employers for workforce training costs through pay-for-performance contracts, with training designed around each employer’s needs.
CalGOLD: A one-stop website for permitting requirements based on location and industry.
Learn more here: https://business.ca.gov/
SBA Resource Partners: Where Small Businesses Can Start
The roundtable also covered the network of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) resource partners available to Imperial Valley entrepreneurs at every stage of business:
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): business planning, capital readiness, financial management, marketing, and growth support
SCORE: free mentoring from experienced business professionals
Women’s Business Centers: counseling and training for women entrepreneurs
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs): support for veterans, service members, and military spouses
APEX Accelerators: assistance with government contracting and procurement
For financing specifically, the SBA’s loan programs offer several paths depending on what a business needs:
7(a) Loan Program: Up to $5 million for real estate, equipment, inventory, working capital, debt refinance, or business acquisition
7(a) MARC Loan Program: Built specifically for small and mid-sized manufacturers, offering revolving or term loans up to $5 million
504 Loan Program: For expanding, replacing, or purchasing real estate or heavy equipment, typically requiring just a 10 percent borrower contribution
Make Onshoring Great Again Portal: A free tool connecting businesses with verified U.S. manufacturers, producers, and suppliers for domestic sourcing
One Door Doesn’t Have to Solve Everything
A central message of the roundtable: no single office is meant to solve every challenge a small business faces. As the Congressman’s office put it, a small business owner can lean on the SBA for capital, counseling, and contracting; the Chamber for networking, advocacy, and connection to the local business community; GO-Biz for state resources and program navigation; and a congressional office for federal agency assistance and casework, each playing a distinct role in the same support system.
Building Stronger Connections for Imperial Valley Businesses
Roundtables like this one reflect IVRCC’s ongoing work connecting local businesses with the resources, funding, and support they need to grow, well beyond the day-to-day services the Chamber provides directly. IVRCC thanks the Office of Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz and GO-Biz for taking the time to meet directly with Imperial Valley business owners in Calipatria.
Have Questions About These Resources?
If you weren’t able to attend and want help connecting with any of the programs covered, contact IVRCC at (760) 352-7413 or membership@ivregionalchamber.com, and we can help point you in the right direction.
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