Rich in Land. Rich in Values.
Ripe with Opportunity.
www.BusinessInSalinas.com
S
alinas, California, has long been known as a place
where fresh ideas take root, then ripen on the
vine, all in the backyard of the internationally-
renowned technology hub, Silicon Valley.
From the new perspective of native son and iconic
American author John Steinbeck to the pioneering
problem solving that led to the invention of iceberg lettuce
and bagged salad, it’s no wonder that Salinas has a global
reputation as a city where agriculture, technology and
innovation converge and blossom.
Here, forward thinkers address the 21st-century challenges
facing the world’s most critical industries and issues — ­
from precision agriculture and food safety, to energy
efficiency and water conservation.
Photo courtesy of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association
About the City of Salinas
Economic Development
Department
The City of Salinas Economic
Development Department provides
professional services related to
retail enhancement, new industry
recruitment, business retention and
expansion, management of the Salinas
Valley Enterprise Zone, regional
business encouragement, demographic
materials, and all other aspects of
economic development.
Partner with the City of Salinas
Economic Development Department
to plant the seeds of success for your
company in the Salinas Valley, and watch
your profits grow in one of the nation’s
most fertile grounds for business.
Target Industries
In the Salinas Valley, companies have
the ability to leverage the region’s
bountiful natural resources, including
fertile soil and an ideal growing
climate — all in Northern California’s
innovation environment. The city
offers opportunities for businesses
operating in nearly every aspect of
agriculture — from food safety and
security, to nutraceuticals and research,
from production and processing, to farm
management and machinery — and
everything in between.
Strong Existing Industry Clusters:
• Agriculture
−Food Production and Cultivation
−Food Processing
−Vineyards and Wine Industry
−Farm Management
−Environmental Protection and
Conservation (Soil, Air, Water
Quality and Analysis)
−Pest and Disease Control
−Machinery for Production
• Financial/Back Office Services
High Potential for Emerging Clusters:
Salinas offers more than just fields and
farms. High tech companies, including
Inc. 5,000 business Alvarez Technology
Group, and manufacturing firms, such
as Cal Pacific Airmotive, are also finding
success here. Join us as we build the
smart farms of the future — and foster
other high potential and high-tech
industry sectors, such as:
• Wine industry packaging and
manufacturing, related to the
burgeoning number of vineyards in the
region (Monterey was named a “Top 10
Wine Travel Destination” in 2013 by
Wine Enthusiast magazine)
Major
Employers
›
The City of Salinas
The county seat of Monterey County,
California, and the largest municipality
in the Central Coast
The regional trade center for California’s
Central Coast cities
The industrial, commercial and
residential hub of the Salinas Valley
Demographic Information (2010)
Population: 150,441
(418,695 in Monterey County)
Median Age: 28.8
(vs. 35.2 in California)
• Auto and motorcycle manufacturing,
testing, R & D and assembly, related
to the nearby Mazda Raceway Laguna
Seca racetrack
• Spanish-language film production
and bilingual calling, service and
marketing centers
• Cyber security with several military
and public institutes in nearby
Monterey, such as the Panetta
Institute for Public Policy, the Naval
Postgraduate School and the Defense
Language Institute Foreign Language
Center
• Plastics packaging and research
related to the produce industry
• Financial management
Visit
Median Household Income:
$47,738
Educational Attainment:
62.5% high school graduate or higher
13.8% bachelor’s degree or higher
Regional Incentives: The Salinas
Valley Enterprise Zone
• Hiring Credits
• Sales and Use Tax Credits
• Business Expense Deductions for
Depreciable Equipment
• 15-Year Net Operating Loss Carryovers
• Net Interest Deductions for Lenders
• Preferences on State Contracts
www.BusinessInSalinas.com to Find:
• ZoomProspector and our database of available buildings and sites
• More information on the Salinas Valley Enterprise Zone
• Additional demographic information
Top 5 Reasons
Companies Locate in Salinas
1
Ideal geographic location for incredible access to international markets:
−60 miles south of Silicon Valley, the innovation capital of the world
−20 minutes east of the Monterey Peninsula with world-class amenities, including
golf at Pebble Beach, the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium and the cities of
Carmel and Monterey
−Right next to Highway 101, which runs from Canada to Mexico and is among the
most important north-south corridors in the United States
2
Unmatched natural resources with opportunities for new-economy companies:
−Renowned global reputation as an agriculture and innovation hub, including nearly
$4 billion of production value for the agriculture industry in Monterey County
−Ability to leverage natural resources — fertile soil and ideal growing climate — and Northern California’s innovation environment
−Supporting research and advancements for the world’s most critical industries,
including agriculture, water/marine, technology, energy and sustainability
3
Unique workforce advantages for businesses with global customers:
−67% of the population five years or older speaks a language other than English at
home, with 91% of these residents speaking Spanish
−Knowledge, talent, networks and venture funding of Silicon Valley, along
with access to an enormous pool of highly skilled professionals within a
30-minute commute
−Labor costs in a variety of industries, ranging from manufacturing to IT, are often
40% less than they are across California — and are almost 50% less than what
they are in the Bay Area
4
Unparalleled regional assets that create a dynamic business atmosphere:
−Collaborative leadership that supports sustainability and global competitiveness
for existing and emerging businesses
−Strong local resources and infrastructure
−Access to Monterey County assets, along with proximity to research institutions
and higher education
5
Unrivalled quality of place that attracts the world’s best and brightest talent:
−Home to the National Steinbeck Center — the only museum in the country
devoted to a single author ­— along with John Steinbeck’s family home
−The city hosts world-class events each year, such as the California Rodeo Salinas
and California International Airshow
−The region boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States,
from 17-Mile Drive and Highway One to the Big Sur and the Salinas Valley
Contact Information:
City of Salinas
Economic Development
65 West Alisal Street, 2nd Floor
Salinas, California 93901
Phone: 831.758.7408
[email protected]
Our Partners
Salinas Valley Enterprise Zone:
www.salinasvalleyez.com
Steinbeck Innovation Foundation:
www.steinbeckinnovation.org
Jeffrey H. Weir
Economic Development Director
Office: 831.758.7408
email: [email protected]