Grant helps launch of women’s business center

WATSONVILLE >> Watsonville’s El Pájaro Community Development Corp. has been selected to receive a Small Business Administration grant and launch a women’s business center.

The funding will allow the center to bolster its work supporting women and underserved community members in launching and sustaining businesses, said Carmen Herrera, executive director with the El Pájaro Community Development Corp.

“We’re going to be able to build capacity for more entrepreneurship and it comes at a very important moment in our community,” Herrera said. “A lot of people and businesses are struggling and there’s also a lot of people wanting to start businesses, too.”

The organization will receive at least $140,000 from the Small Business Administration, according to Herrera.

It is one of two organizations selected in the state, and one of 20 in the nation, marking the largest expansion of the Small Business Administration program since its beginnings.

The funds will assist the center in expanding its services beyond Watsonville.

Herrera said the organization plans to launch satellite offices in other areas of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties. That includes reaching more rural regions outside of Watsonville city limits, such as the Davenport, the Salinas Valley and Hollister areas.

“Our strategy is meeting clients where they are,” Herrera said. “Right now with the COVID-19 pandemic, people are having to scan documents instead of submitting hard copies, and having to learn how to use apps. People just need the right type of training, and developing a curriculum that is culturally relevant is very important.”

The center, whose clientele is 86% Latino, currently offers bilingual services. That includes assisting people in applying for loans, business licenses and accessing finances.

Herrera said that hands- on work takes a lot of time, so the new funding will allow those programs to continue.

The El Pájaro Community Development Corp. had some help from Rep. Jimmy Panetta, who in September wrote a letter to the Small Business Administration advocating for the organization.

“This center does so much, no just for small businesses, but women in small businesses, and women in disadvantaged backgrounds and in communities that are economically challenged,” Panetta said. “Knowing there are people like Carmen driving that ship, it makes me proud to do this job.”