Resources Available

Disclaimer: Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided here. Nonetheless, the new business owner is cautioned to contact the City of Foster City and the San Mateo County governments to confirm the requirements and to determine if other requirements are necessary for their business. The Foster City Chamber of Commerce assumes no liability for the correctness of the information presented here.

1. Foster City Chamber of Commerce

- The Chamber will provide guidance and direction to anyone setting up a business to the best of its ability.

Contact:
Foster City Chamber of Commerce
989 East Hillsdale Blvd., Ste. 160
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 573-7600
Fax: (650) 573-5201
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. California Commerce & Economic Development Program

Tel: 800-303-6600
see webpage

Contact them for:

a. Small Business Development Center

They have a program which provides one-on-one business counseling, training, workshops, and other resources for people growing and expanding their small business. SBDCs provide assistance with business feasibility and planning, cash flow management, tax preparations, strategic planning, procurement assistance, qualifying for a loan, and much more.

San Francisco SBDC
455 Market Street, 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 908-7501
Fax: 415) 974-6035
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage
also see webpage

b. State Loan Guarantee Program

This program enables a small business to obtain a term loan or line of credit when it cannot otherwise qualify for a loan.

Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation
5776 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite 345
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Tel: (925) 416-6490
Fax: (925) 416-6493
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

3. U.S. Small Business Administration (Federal SBA)

The SBA provides many services and links to government agencies via the Internet, phone lines, and office sites.

Contact :
United States Small Business Administration
San Francisco District Office
455 Market Street, 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-2420
Tel: (415) 744-6820
see webpage

a. Counselors to America’s Small Business (SCORE)

More than 12,400 volunteers provide one-on-one counseling at no charge. Training workshops are held on a regular basis and are offered at a small cost.

Contact :
SCORE (San Francisco Chapter)
1031 E. Hillsdale Blvd, Suite F
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (415) 744-6827
Fax: (415) 744-6750
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

Free business counseling is available at the Foster City Chamber of Commerce through the SCORE program. One hour appointments with the SCORE counselor are available on Monday mornings to anyone desiring to do so.

Contact :
Foster City Chamber of Commerce
989 East Hillsdale Blvd., Ste. 160
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 573-7600
Fax: (650) 573-5201
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

b. Business Information Centers

These provide a one-stop location where current and future small business owners can receive assistance and advice.

Contact:
The Entrepreneur Center
U.S. Small Business Administration
455 Market St., 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-2420
Tel: (415) 744-4244
Fax: (415) 744 6812

c. Online Women’s Business Center (OWBO)

OWBO promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities.
OWBO is helping women start and build successful businesses. At every stage of developing and expanding a successful business, the Office of Women's Business Ownership is there to counsel, teach, encourage and inspire.

Contact:
Online Women’s Business Center (OWBO)
U.S. Small Business Administration
455 Market St., 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-2420
Tel: (415) 744-8485
Fax: (202) 481-4189
see webpage

4. Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)

Contact:
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
Consultation Service for Employers
Tel: (800) 963-9424
see webpage

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service Area Offices
San Francisco Bay Area
1515 Clay Street, Ste. 1103
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 622-2891
see webpage

5. Minority Business Development Agency

The agency is dedicated to becoming an entrepreneurially focused and innovative organization, committed to empowering minority business enterprises for the purpose of wealth creation.

Contact:
Minority Business Development Center
San Francisco National Enterprise Center
221 Main Street, Room 1280
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: 415-744-3001
Fax: 415-744-3061
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

6 .International Trade

The Trade Information Center (TIC) is a comprehensive resource for information on all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs. The Center is operated by the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce for the 20 federal agencies comprising the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC). These agencies are responsible for managing the U.S. Government's export promotion programs and activities.

Contact:
International Trade Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRADE
Fax: (202) 482-4473
see webpage