West County Business Roundtable Helps Local Businesses “Take Their Business to the Next Level”

The West County Business Roundtable, “Taking Your Business to the Next Level,” brought together small businesses from across West Contra Costa for a high-impact workshop focused on connecting entrepreneurs with valuable, no-cost resources.

Hosted in partnership with the Cities of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, San Pablo, and Richmond, as well as the Department of Conservation and Development’s Economic Development Department, the event provided practical guidance and direct access to regional business support services. The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) was pleased to sponsor the event.

Held at the Berkeley Country Club, the workshop introduced business owners to programs and services that can help strengthen operations, improve financial stability, expand workforce capacity, and support long-term growth. Participants explored resources covering funding and access to capital, employer tax credits, business management, HR support, recruitment assistance, customized workforce training, government contracting, marketing, and more.

Strong Participation from the West County Business Community

The event drew strong participation from local businesses:

196 registrations
100 attendees
14 agencies providing direct support

Fourteen regional organizations participated, offering one-on-one guidance and connecting business owners with resources tailored to their needs:

Attendees shared positive feedback, highlighting how the roundtable made it easier to understand available programs and connect directly with resource providers. Many business owners discovered opportunities they hadn’t previously known about, including employer incentives, financing options, workforce training, and technical assistance.

Strengthening the West County Business Ecosystem

The roundtable highlighted the region’s strong commitment to supporting small businesses and creating growth opportunities. By bringing together economic development teams, business support organizations, workforce development partners, and local entrepreneurs, the event strengthened collaboration and increased awareness of the resources available to help businesses move forward.

The takeaway was clear: small businesses left better informed, better connected, and better prepared to take their business to the next level.