California Business Investment Services

California Business Investment Services

CalBIS serves employers, corporate real estate executives, and site location consultants who are considering California for business investment and expansion.

California's Business Advantages

California is an innovation leader. New ideas are a natural part of life in the Golden State. California supports creativity with a superior educational system and workforce training that produces an unrivaled, highly skilled labor force.

  • Over 2 million students enrolled in nearly 300 colleges and universities
  • Over 270,000 college graduates every year
  • Over 600 members in the National Academy of Sciences
  • Over 100 Nobel Laureates

California continues to be the nation's leading high-tech state.

  • The Golden State boasts nearly 1 million high-tech workers, more than any other state. Over one-sixth of all U.S. high-tech workers reside in California
  • High-tech exports totaled ranked first nationwide in total high-tech exports
  • High-tech goods represent nearly 50% of the state's annual exports

California leads the nation in R&D and venture capital (VC) investment.

  • In 2007, California companies received more than $3.2 billion, or 46% of all VC dollars invested in the U.S.i]
  • Top sectors receiving VC funding are software, biotechnology, energy, medical devices and telecommunications[ii]
  • R&D expenditures at universities and colleges totaled $6.49 billion in FY 06.[iii]
  • Industrial R&D totals $50.6 billion, ranked first in the nation.[iv]
  • California offers a 24 percent R&D tax credit to businesses

California makes business sense.

  • Eighth largest economy in the world.
  • Produced more than $1.73 trillion in goods and services in 2006 a 6.8% increase over 2005.
  • California's economy represents over 13% of the United States' Gross Domestic Product.
  • California's population exceeded 36.4 million persons
  • Number one state for attracting foreign direct investment.
  • Large consumer market for high technology, biotechnology, food and agriculture, apparel, and entertainment.

California is globally connected with a world-class infrastructure.

  • There are more than 15,000 miles of highways and freeways
  • Home to 12 cargo airports and 11 cargo seaports
  • There are 18 Foreign Trade Zones and 42 Enterprise Zones
  • Pacific Rim access

Californians lead an enviable lifestyle.

  • California is home to a young, enthusiastic and diverse population
  • It is home to over 1,000 golf courses
  • California has more theme and amusement parks than any other state
  • The mountain ranges are home to nearly 50 snow resorts
  • It has home field advantage for over 20 professional sports teams
  • Natural and scenic beauty in over 24 national parks, 272 state parks, 1,100 miles of coastline, and numerous wilderness areas

California tops many business lists.

  • Forbes.com announced in its online publication, that in 2007, California lead all states in the categories of "200 Best Small Companies" and "Fastest-growing Tech Companies" - of which four of the top five are in California.
  • 52 California companies are ranked among FORTUNE Magazine's prestigious FORTUNE 500 list of America's largest corporations ranked within states.
  • Business Facilities Magazine announced in its July 2007 issue that California is home to two of the cities in the United States with the "Most Educated Workforce" including: San Diego (#4) and Sacramento (#12)

California's Transportation Infrastructure

California has a well-developed and reliable infrastructure for moving people and goods. The state's sophisticated network of freeways, airports, ports, and railways provide excellent connections within California and easy access to and from the rest of the United States and the world markets. The high points of this transportation network are:

Freeways - California's highway system is the state's transportation backbone. As opposed to the toll motorways on the United States East Coast, California's multiple-lane highway infrastructure system is free. The freeway systems reach almost every corner of the state and offers an efficient point-to-point delivery.

Airports - California's many airports are served by a number of different airlines that compete over price, frequency, and on-time reliability. Our airports serve business travel within the state with frequent flights as well as numerous domestic and international flights.

Ports - California's port cities are America's window for global trade. The Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland are among the busiest in the US, together moving over twice as many goods as the Port of New York City. Each year, more than $200 billion in imports pass through California's ports.

Source: Global Window - UCLA Anderson School of Business

Workforce

CalBIS is uniquely positioned to connect employers to a full menu of workforce services provided by the state agencies under the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, including labor market information, workforce recruitment, CalJOBS, workforce training and education.

  • Labor Market Information is provided to you to identify the projected available workforce and average wages by geographical areas and/or occupations.
  • California's One Stop Career Centers are a network of conveniently located centers that provide employment services and education and training services in one place.
  • CalJOBSSM is an easy-to-use Internet based job listing system. Employers may enter job listings and browse posted resumes from job seekers who meet your specifications.
  • Employment Training Panel assists businesses in acquiring and retraining a highly skilled workforce to increase competitiveness and productivity. You may be able to apply for performance-based customized training program funds for new or existing employees.