Why work here?

Why Work/Do Business Here

The City of Gridley is focused on creating conditions for your business to succeed. We don't take business for granted. Here are the top reasons to do business in Gridley, California... 

• Central Location - strategically positioned in the heart of California and the Central Valley, along Highway 99, Gridley is close to larger metropolitan areas yet provides a comfortable, affordable lifestyle without the congestion, overcrowding, or expense. 
   
• Local Incentives – The City offers services to assist business retention, expansion, and start-up in Gridley. Because Gridley is a full service Municipality we have more flexibility when it comes to providing utility rebates. For more information please contact City Administrator Elisa Arteaga at earteaga@gridley.ca.us
   
• Qualified, Productive Workforce – Gridley has a rich, diverse community. Consisting of a large skilled and semi-skilled workforce of over 80,000 and an affordable wage structure, it presents a distinct hiring opportunity for potential employers.
   
• Available and Affordable Industrial and Commercial Land – Gridley has prime industrial and commercial sites with access to rail and Highway 99. Manufacturing ranges from ag-related, such as fruit, rice and nut processing, to outdoor/athletic equipment. The 70-acre Gridley Industrial Park is primarily intended for light manufacturing and assembly firms. Because the Industrial Park was established by the Gridley Redevelopment Agency, land is available at very competitive prices.
   
• Quality of Life - Gridley is a distinguished California Community! We can offer a unique blend of lifestyle opportunities including affordable, quality housing; abundant recreation; a multitude of cultural events; and, exceptional educational facilities. Population growth, streetscape improvement and façade improvements along with the development of new recreational attractions are making Historic Downtown Gridley a shopping destination. It's a great location for boutiques, cafes, and small franchises.
   
• Market Access – Gridley is located for movement. Gridley is only 3 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chico Municipal Airport offers commercial flights daily and convenient access for companies with private aircraft. Flight line access is available for freight transportation. Gridley is strategically positioned for quick and cost effective distribution to major West Coast markets. 
   
• Project Management Team Meeting - This service is available free-of-charge to project developers and business owners anticipating development in Gridley. At request, City staff will coordinate a meeting with permitting departments aimed at providing valuable input prior to applying for a building permit. Companies considering a new operation in Gridley can count on a high level of responsiveness from City Officials. We will not only put together a package responding to your requirements, but we will also put you in touch with individuals best equipped to address your needs. To request a pre-application or project meeting, contact City Administrator Elisa Arteaga at earteaga@gridley.ca.us.

• One-Stop Information and Permit Center – We may be small, but we are fast! The City of Gridley is known for streamlining the development process by congregating all the departments at the table. The Building, Planning, Public Works, and Municipal Utilities Departments all have representatives available to assist at the Permit Center.

LOCAL INCENTIVES:

The City offers a number of incentives and funds specific services to assist business retention, expansion, relocation and start-up in Gridley.

• The City of Gridley owns its electrical utility. The City's normal commercial and industrial electrical rates are already lower than those of PG&E and SCE, which means that Gridley has a comparative advantage over other cities in the County and State, including Chico and Yuba City. The City of Gridley has Electrical Incentive Rates available for businesses that create jobs and significant new electrical load. This program can help a power-conscious business save significant amounts of money.  For additional information please call Interim City Administrator Elisa Arteaga at (530) 846-5670.
   
• Local Development Assistance: Potential to coordinate planned public improvements with private development.
   
• Expedited Development: Early and free project review assistance for businesses looking to expand, start up or relocating within the City limits. Businesses and builders may have their projects reviewed and guidance given by various City officials (Building, Planning, Fire, Engineering, Economic Development, etc.) to assist the project through the regulatory process. 
   
• Priority Permitting for all industrial businesses within the City limits. The City of Gridley prioritizes any industrial/manufacturing permit processing that would generate new and/or expanded job opportunities.

Additional Business Assistance:

• Butte County Economic Development has a culture of supporting business innovation and business growth.  Our strong entrepreneurial community is enhanced by access to Chico State and Butte Community College.  For more information on Butte County Economic Development programs, visit www.buttebusinessresources.com or call (530) 538-6182.
• The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit assistance, regulatory guidance, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more.Visit www.business.ca.gov for business resources and information or call (877) 345-4633.
• The mission of the CSU, Chico Center for Economic Development is to educate and build the knowledge and capacity of California economic development professionals and enhance the well-being of the region's citizens by facilitating sustained, long term, and coordinated economic development strategies. Technical assistance is provided in the form of marketing research, marketing research assistance, business lists, marketing plan research, and other services identified through partnering agencies. For more information on CED programs, visit http://www.cedcal.com/ or call (530) 898-4598.
• 3Core (Formerly Tri-County Economic Development Corporation) is a private, non-profit corporation established in 1988 to coordinate the economic development efforts in Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties. 3Core focuses on accessing capital for businesses and communities in its economic development district and creating strategic alliances with other public and private organizations. It manages a variety of small business loan funds designed to create "gap financing" and job creation. The programs are designed to be flexible in order to assist growing businesses. For more information contact: (530) 893-8732 or www.3coreedc.org. 
• The Butte College Center for International Trade Development was established to help small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the north state region secure a niche in the international marketplace. CITD provides training to all segments of the business community, from agribusiness and manufacturers to service providers. Seminars and workshops are designed to provide a background in all aspects of international transactions, including international marketing, importing and exporting. CITD also provides individualized counseling for businesses and maintains a library of print and electronic resources. Contact: (530) 892- 6627, citd@butte.cc.ca.us or visit www.chico.citd.org.
• The mission of the Butte College SBDC is to provide comprehensive business management services and training to help promote the development, retention, and expansion of small businesses in Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties. The center employs a team of professional business counselors with expertise in all areas of small business management. These counselors provide up-to-date technical assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs. One-on-one counseling is provided in the areas of accounting and record keeping, business planning, financial analysis, loan assistance, human resources, marketing, manufacturing, and production, plus information dissemination. The center also offers referrals, "How To" courses, workshops, seminars and conferences. Contact: (530) 895-9017, or visit http://www.buttecollegesbdc.com/ .