Downtown Sacramento Partnership
Andrew Rogerson
in Business valuations, Loans and financing, Money 2.0 radio show with Andrew Rogerson
The Downtown Sacramento Partnership is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of Sacramento’s central business district. The Downtown Sacramento Partnership oversees maintenance, safety, and revitalization programs financed by the Downtown Sacramento Management District, a property assessment district established in 1995 and renewed in 2000.
Valerie Mamone-Werder is the Business Recruitment Manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and a guest on my show to talk more about what’s being done to revitalize the downtown City of Sacramento. That interview can be heard here.
Valerie in particular speaks about the Calling all Dreamers competition that was created to encourage and promote small business ventures downtown. She says the winner of the competition is set to receive a $135,000 prize package, that included in-kind support, a year free rent and more.
Valerie also talks about the Partnership’s purpose and origins. She says they were established as a property business improvement district 15 years ago and manage the area from 16th street to Old Sac and from H St. to N St. Valerie says the Partnership was started to help create a clean and safe environment in downtown and now even runs events, such as the Concerts in the Park event, the annual ice skating rink, and the Farmers’ Market.
Valerie explains that her role with the Partnership is to help new businesses that want to come downtown to navigate the business process. She says she also works to help retain businesses that currently exist downtown, which is helped along by the business workshops they run and funding opportunities they provide.
Valerie also talks about the Downtown Sacramento Foundation, which is the sister organization to the Partnership. She says the Calling all Dreamers competition is one of the Foundation’s first initiatives, with their overall directive to elevate some of the Partnership’s current projects and programs.
Valerie also notes SCORE Sacramento’s involvement in the Calling all Dreamers competition. I note my personal familiarity with SCORE, an organization that promotes local entrepreneurship. I am a SCORE Resource Counsellor and find their efforts to help promote entrepreneurship fantastic.
Valerie also outlines the finale process of the Dreaming contest, which includes public involvement and an announcement during Small Business Week. Valerie and I end the discussion on the growth and diversity that has been happening in Old Sac the last few years.
If you would like to hear my conversation with Valerie Mamone-Werder, please click here.
