Sonoma Clean Power is stepping into a new role as a community lender, providing a $4.5 million boost to launch the “Business One Stop Shop,” or BOSS, in downtown Santa Rosa.
According to the Press Democrat, spearheaded by Hector Velazquez, the nonprofit aims to cut through the red tape for minority entrepreneurs—specifically targeting Latino, Black, and Asian business owners who often struggle with local government permitting. The initiative has already transformed a $3.2 million building on E Street into a three-story hub featuring coworking spaces, a podcast studio, and expert workshops.
Beyond just providing a desk, BOSS will use a specialized tracking system to ensure no applicant gets lost in the shuffle of bureaucracy. Agency officials say the interest from the loan will actually help subsidize electricity rates for their 235,000 customers, making it a win-win for the local economy and the environment.
While Velazquez admits he needs at least a dozen tenants to make the math work, supporters say the project is a vital “baby” for a community that’s been historically underserved.