(Quirk-Silva D) California Historically Significant Commercial District Act.

Current Text: Introduced: 2/17/2023 

Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on
5/10/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)
4/11/2023-Coauthors revised. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on J., E.D., & E. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 11). Re-referred to Com. on J., E.D., & E.

Summary: Existing law establishes the California Business Investment Service Program within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) for the purpose of serving employers, corporate executives, business owners, investors, and site location consultants who are considering California for business investment and expansion. Existing law provides that the program is under the authority of the director, who is required, among other things, to work cooperatively with local, regional, federal, and other state public and private marketing institutions, economic developers, workforce training partners, and trade organizations in attracting, retaining, and helping businesses and investments grow and be successful in California.

This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would establish the California Historically Significant District Program for the purpose of revitalizing and maintaining historically and culturally significant commercial corridors throughout the state by funding technical assistance, training, and other activities that increase the capacity of revitalization entities to provide business assistance programs and services that meet the unique needs of small businesses that operate within historic commercial districts. The bill would provide that the program be administered by the California Business Investment Service Unit within GO-Biz, in consultation with the Community and Placed-Based Solutions Unit. The bill would require the program to award grants to eligible grantees, as defined, who submit an application meeting certain requirements, including, among other things, documentation that the applicant has the experience and capacity to provide technical assistance, training, and other services that increase the capacity of revitalization entities to use place-based tools to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem to meet the needs of small businesses that operate within historic districts. The bill would require training and education topics and uses of the grant by the grantee to include, but not be limited to, among other things, onsite assessment and training of revitalization entities to develop capacity for implementation of commercial district revitalization plans. The bill would require that grant funds be used by the grantee consistent with certain requirements, including that at least 40% of the total amount of the grant be used by the grantee to provide capacity-building programs and services to eligible historic commercial corridor revitalization entities throughout the state, as specified.