The Sacramento Area Commerce & Trade Organization attracts an average of eight companies to the region each year, but the nonprofit expects a dramatic expansion over the next five years by hiring consultants to expand outreach and to become more specialized in the way they attend trade shows.

The final proposed 2014 regulation changes, with responses to comments, are now posted on the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee website.

A part of Los Angeles has been designated as a "Promise Zone" that will receive millions of federal dollars aimed at combating poverty. The grants will be used to help fight poverty, improve education and provide more affordable housing, better public transportation and safety.

Thirty million dollars of tax credits are available this year to reduce business income and franchise taxes for eligible companies. That number grows to $150M in fiscal year 2014-15 and $200M in 2015-16 and 2016-17. The program is being administered by GO-Biz, the governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.

The Bond Buyer reports that states will be allowed to issue 5.2% more of private activity bonds in 2014, freeing money for projects that would otherwise be ineligible for tax-exempt financing. Included are graphics demonstrating the volume cap changes from 2013 to 2014 by state.

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GreenFinanceSF-Commercial is a Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE program, which allows commercial property owners to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements by applying a lien to the property. This overview provides the basics of eligibility and preparing an application.

This white paper appeared in the California Real Property Journal and delves into public-private partnerships, their potential up sides and down sides, considerations to be made by each party, and a few case studies.

This reference is a helpful tool to locate basic information regarding USDA programs in California. Each program is accompanied with such information as who may borrow, terms and limits, prohibited uses and user fees.

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Interested in bringing your organization to the forefront of hundreds of economic development finance professionals in the state? Consider sponsoring the CDFA California Financing Roundtable in 2014.