The economy of Oxnard includes agricultural, tourism, and oil industries which avail business ad employment opportunities for women in the City. With the help of the Oxnard economic development staff, the City supports women-owned businesses by providing the necessary resources they need to succeed.
Women’s Economic Ventures
Women’s Economic Venture Programs offers classroom training, capital, and technical assistance to support female entrepreneurs through startup and growth stages of their businesses. Visit https://www.wevonline.org/ for more information.
Oxnard Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber provides many business opportunities for women by encouraging collaboration and connecting the local government with the business community. The chamber invites speakers to address current business trends, economic opportunities and challenges women go through in their daily operations. The committees formed within the chamber work to ensure that leaders get more involved in the community and like-minded women with common business interests and priorities. The Chamber ensures a bright future for women through programs such as Oxnard Young Professionals (OXYP) and the Oxnard Leadership which connect and educate them. Visit https://www.oxnardchamber.org for more information.
Employment Training Panel
Employment and Training Program is a business and labor support agency that supports employers in maintaining high competency at the workplace by providing funds to offset the costs of job training. The ETP implement training programs that are meant to equip women with the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed in the workforce. For over 30 years ETP has been a great economic development tool in Oxnard by supporting the creation and retention of jobs for women through training. Visit the ETP website at https://etp.ca.gov/.
Recycling Market Development Zone Program (RMDZ)
The purpose of RMDZ is to create local markets to help women in processing, manufacturing, and marketing of their products. The products, however, must be from recycled materials. Women-owned businesses are eligible for a variety of incentives including loans if they recycle materials to manufacture new products. Learn more at https://www.vcpubliworks.org/wsd/iwmd/developmentzone/.
Economic Development Collaborative
EDC and its Small Business Development Center offer business assistance programs to help women-owned businesses grow and expand through workshops and advisory services in a wide range of topics. EDC also offers loan programs to women to help them in startups and enhance the development of every stage of their businesses. Visit https://www.edc-vc.com.
Ventura County Grows Business
Ventura County Grows Business works in collaboration with Oxnard City and Workforce Development Board to provide services and support women-owned businesses need to thrive. The City work to ensure that job creation and retention for women remain their top priority. Visit http://www.venturacountygrowsbusiness.com/.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide women-owned small businesses with working capital loans of up to $ 2 million. This helps them overcome the temporary loss of revenue they experience in their daily business operations.
The Loan Advance
The Loan Advance provides up to $ 10,000 to women-owned businesses that experience temporary revenue loss. Normally, funds are made available after 3 days of successful application.
Home Buyer Assistance
The City of Oxnard Affordable Housing and Rehabilitation Division has homebuyer assistance for moderate and low-income single mothers. the Division derives its funds from HOME, and CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) to support the programs. Policies implemented in these programs are designed following the State and Federal regulations. Find out more at https://www.oxnard.org/city-department/housing/affordable-housing/home/-rehabilitation-assistance/.
Human Resources Department
The Human Resources Department of Oxnard City provides excellent customer service to female employees in the areas of benefits, labor relations, worker’s compensation, employee relations, safety, and wellness, as well as attracting competent and diverse staff. Human Resources provide professional leadership and services in the acquisition of skilled and talented women to enter the workforce. Visit https://www.oxnard.org/city-department/human-resources/.
Worker’s Compensation, Safety, and Wellness
The Division is charged with the responsibility of the administration of the City’s Safety and Workers’ Compensation Programs. The Division performs facility inspection and safety training for women who are employed in the City. This helps in developing competency among women and enhance their professional development.
Soroptimist International of Oxnard
Soroptimist is a global Women’s Organization whose members volunteer to improve the lives of the local women through programs that strengthen their economic base and promote independence among them. This group of women work together for the good of Oxnard City as well as support the region. The programs include:
Live Your Dream Program. This program supports single mothers who are continuing with their education. Soroptimist International celebrates the success of single moms who meet their criteria with a dinner in their honor, commendations, and cash awards given out every Spring. The plan is for single mothers to fulfill their needs and come closer to their goals through the benefits they receive from the Program. Soroptimist has helped over 30,000 women reach their goals and have given out over $ 3 million nationally up to date. Those who receive awards at the local level proceed to compete in the region and federation.
Dream It, Be It Program. This program supports young women in growing to be confident, successful, and happy adults by reaching out to those in secondary schools who face struggles when striving to succeed. Soroptimist achieves this by holding conferences and workshops designed to mentor young girls on setting goals, overcoming their challenges, and discovering career opportunities.
Visit the Soroptimist website at https://www.oxnardsoroptimist.org.