A New & Improved Southgate Plaza Is In The Works

Southgate Plaza in the early 1960s.



The shopping center in 2004.



Exciting changes are in store for Southgate Plaza, at the intersection of Florin Road and Franklin Boulevard!

Sandy Sigal, the president and CEO of the center’s landlord NewMark Merrill, told the Sacramento Business Journal this summer that, “Southgate Plaza has always had a great location, with great visibility to the community. After making a large investment in both the physical appearance of the center, as well as providing events to make the community feel very welcomed and to spend more time here, we believe that Southgate Plaza will be a long-term asset to Sacramento.” (source: SBJ, 07/28/14)

A $6 million revitalization of the shopping center is in progress, including parking and landscaping upgrades, new paint and signage, and improved security.

A Walmart Neighborhood Market plans to open at the plaza in the summer of 2015. The market will fill approximately 50,000 square feet in the former Walmart building. This building has been vacant since 2009 when the retailer relocated to a larger Walmart Supercenter at Florin Towne Centre, east of Highway 99. The remaining 80,000 square feet of the building will be marketed by the landlord to prospective tenants. This space may be subdivided to accommodate multiple tenants.

Ross Dress for Less will be a few doors down from the market. The 27,300 square foot store plans to open in the first quarter of 2015. Ross is returning to the center after leaving several years ago.

F&M Bank also plans to open on February 17, 2015 at Southgate Plaza. The bank will relocate from their Franklin Boulevard location and move into part of the former Blockbuster building.

Budget Mobile, a new arrival to the Florin Road corridor. opened in the center in October. Budget Mobile provides government assisted wireless service to low-income families and individuals.

Thank You for Shopping Florin Road!

Information, Please!

Looking for information about South Sacramento and the Florin Road business district?

Find it on the Area Information page of our website at http://florinroad.com/area-information/area.html

Happy Holidays from Our Featured Businesses

Meet Our New Executive Director

Dec. 2nd: Harness the Power of LinkedIn

The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend their Executive Series VI seminar, "The Power of LinkedIn".

Presenter Melissa Washington, who KCRA3 TV refers to as the “Lord of LinkedIn,” will discuss how you can tap into the world’s largest professional social media network.

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Time: 9:00 am to 11:30 am (breakfast will be served)

Place: Hawthorn Suites, 321 Bercut Drive, Sacramento, CA 95811.

Cost: This event will be $20 for non-members and NO CHARGE for members.

Register: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/executive-series-vi-the-power-of-linkedin-tickets-14124297153

For more info, visit www.sacasiancc.org.

You Can Be a Big Supporter of Small Businesses

LaunchPath Connects Your Biz to Quality Interns

Get Connected to Quality Interns through the Innovative LaunchPath Online Platform!

LaunchPath involves employers, educators, and students in a collaborative effort to strengthen our workforce through an innovative online matching system.

During the pilot phase, the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce will be working with employers, California Community Colleges, and Linked Learning high schools in the Sacramento region to create meaningful experiences that align with students' fields of study.

Employers in the pilot program will be able to take advantage of an advanced matching and badging platform that identifies students with the right interests and experiences and simplifies the process of creating beneficial work-based learning experiences. Research has found that Linked Learning increases high school graduation rates, college attendance rates, and success in college.

Participating companies include:
3Fold Communications
Five Star Bank
PG&E
SMUD
Valley Vision
Western Health Advantage

Employers in the Sacramento region are invited to join the Sacramento Region Pilot Program. For more info, contact Pallavi Shimoda at pshimoda@calasiancc.org or 916-446-7883.

Florin Road At Your Fingertips

Looking for a particular merchant or type of business in the Florin Road Business District?

Our downloadable Business Directory features nearly 600 businesses in an Excel spreadsheet.  We've got everything from large chain stores and casual dining restaurants to small mom-and-pop shops and eateries, schools, worship centers, government offices, and more.

Just visit the "Directory" page of our website at http://www.florinroad.com/.  On that page you can also download our District Map and check out each month's Featured Businesses.

Our Featured Businesses Thank You for Your Patronage

Nov. 6th Security Task Force Meeting

Talk is Cheap at Southgate Plaza

Budget PrePay, Inc., doing business as Budget Mobile, held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Southgate Plaza on October 24, 2014. This is the company’s second Sacramento retail store.

Budget Mobile offers government-assisted wireless services to low income families and individuals under the California LifeLine Program. Budget provides LifeLine discounts to California customers who meet certain eligibility requirements such as government assistance or a household income 150% below the federal poverty level. Eligible applicants receive a free cell phone with unlimited talk and text capabilities under Budget’s California Connect Unlimited service plans.

As part of the grand opening ceremony, Budget Mobile presented nine new Lenova laptops, 20 new Android tablets and a $3,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento (BGCSAC). The donations will be dedicated to upgrading the nonprofit’s two local technology centers - the Teichert Branch at 5212 Lemon Hill Avenue and the Raley Teen Center at 1117 G Street. BGCSAC serves over 5,000 youth annually through Club membership and community outreach.

SBA Loans for API-owned Businesses

The CalAsian Chamber has partnered with SmartBiz to help API-owned businesses grow and reach new markets.

By visiting http://www.smartbizloans.com/calasian, SBA-backed loans can be obtained in as little as seven business days.

The online application process can be completed quickly with approval notification in minutes. Once approved, businesses can borrow between $5,000 and $25,000 at affordable rates.

Creating a Healthy Workplace Seminar

Federal and state OSHA laws protect California workers from unsafe working conditions. However, the federal and state statutes and regulations are complex and can be difficult to understand. This seminar is designed to assist you in your compliance.

When: Thursday, October 16, 2014, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Where: Weintraub Tobin, 400 Capital Mall, 11th Floor, Sacramento, CA.

For more information or to register, contact Ramona Carrillo at 916-558-6046.

Savings to Scream About at Our Featured Businesses

Oct 8th - FREE Business Seminar - 401(k) & HCR

Florin Road Feasibility Study Underway

The Florin Road Partnership (FRP) has teamed up with engineering consultant Wood Rodgers, Inc. on the Florin Road Utility Undergrounding Project feasibility study.

FRP advocated for many years to convince the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and the City of Sacramento of the need for this project to improve both the aesthetics and accessibility of the Florin Road business corridor. A portion of the Partnership’s annual budget was set aside each year for the past several years in anticipation of this study.

Wood Rodgers will prepare the feasibility study for converting approximately 7600 linear feet of existing overhead electrical power delivery system, cable television and telephone fiber optic lines to underground. The proposed project is located on the north side of Florin Road between Tamoshanter Way and Franklin Boulevard.

The feasibility study will include the following:
1. An estimate of the capital costs of converting the overhead dry utilities to underground,
2. A conceptual alignment for converting these facilities to underground and their potential impact to the existing infrastructure and associated services,
3. An estimate of the right of way impact, time and resources to bury overhead lines,
4. Identification of potential additional costs to customers, the City of Sacramento, and other utilities that may be impacted by the project, and
5. Investigation of potential funding sources to cove the cost of undergrounding these dry utilities.

This proposed project is a potential catalyst for future streetscape improvements. However, no construction work will be done as part of the feasibility study.

For more information about the study, please contact Mark Rayback, project manager for Wood Rodgers, Inc. at 916-440-8131 or Larry Carr, executive director of the Florin Road Partnership, at 916-424-4230, ext. 2.

What’s Happening on Florin Road?

Want to know more about the Florin Road Partnership and the Florin Road business district? Be sure to visit the many informative pages of our website at www.florinroad.com. And for the latest news and events, check us out on Facebook and Twitter @FlorinRdPtshp.

I Spy With My Little Eye

Get Back to School Savings at Our Featured Businesses

Sept. 25th Regional Business Metro Expo

Don't miss the Sacramento Metro Chamber's Regional Business Metro Expo with McClellan Business Park!

Thursday, September 25, 2014 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the McClellan Conference Center, 5411 Luce Avenue, McClellan, California 95652.

The event features vendors, workshops, and a networking mixer.

To register for the event or to reserve a vendor booth, visit http://web.metrochamber.org/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=10156

Tickets are Going, Going, Almost Gone for Florin Road Fun!

It’s Moving Time!

Summer is the season to expand or relocate your business in the Florin Road business improvement district!

Looking for space? Check out our Available Property listings at http://florinroad.com/properties/properties.html.

Dog Days of Summer = Cool Deals on Florin Road!

August 7th Security Task Force Meeting

Local Asian Restaurants Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking

Local Asian restaurants in Sacramento are collaborating to help stop human trafficking in the greater Sacramento area.

With a project funded by Soroptimists International of Sacramento South (a women's service organization), My Sister's House designed and distributed more than 5000 placemats to local Asian restaurants to raise awareness about human trafficking.

If you know of any restaurants that are willing to participate in this endeavor, please contact My Sister's House at telephone 916-930-0626 or email info@my-sisters-house.org.

Participating restaurants in the Florin Road business district include:

Asian Pearl, 6821 Stockton Blvd. #165, Sacramento, CA 95823

Banh Cuon Tay Ho, 6840 Stockton Blvd. #125, Sacramento, CA 95828

Manila Sunrise, 4220 Florin Road, Sacramento, CA 95823

South Villa Restaurant, 7223 55th Street, Sacramento, CA 95823

TK Noodle, 6930 65th Street #131, Sacramento, CA 95823

July 18th FREE Workshop: Immigration Reform & YOUR Small Biz

New Sac County Ordinance to Curb Aggressive Panhandling

Small Biz Energy Solutions from SMUD

Celebrate the 4th with Our Featured Businesses

Equipment Financing for Your Small Biz

F&M Bank has $100 Million to lend on any equipment need from office equipment to solar panels.

Loan amounts are from $30,000 to $5,000,000 for new term debt of 3 to 7 years. This is a limited time offer for new and existing F&M Bank customers.

For additional information, including loan fees and rates, please contact Scott Rogalski, AVP/Business Banking, at 916-394-3215.

Sacramento County Targets Illicit Massage Shops

Read about Sacramento County's new ordinance to target the proliferation of illicit massage parlors: http://www.saccounty.net/news/latest-news/Pages/Supervisors-Aim-to-Reduce-Illicit-Massage-Shops.aspx

SACC Small Business Resource Center

The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to connecting businesses to the resources needed to be successful. They have partnered with organizations such as the Sacramento Kings, SMUD, and Sacramento Regional Transit District to ensure their members have access to the right opportunities.

The SACC Service Center provides workshops, referrals to SBA/SBDC counselors, access to loan opportunities, certification services, and the opportunity to connect to Asian Chamber partners and procurement contracts.

Contact Maria Baptista for more information at 916-446-7883 or mbaptista@sacasiancc.org.

Summer Starts with Our Featured Businesses

June 20th Business First Conference

Join SMUD's Power Voice

Look What's Cooking on Florin Road!

FLORIN ROAD BINGO CAFÉ is seeking energetic & detail-oriented people to join their staff. They have a Full-time (with full benefits after successful completion of probationary period) & a Part-time position available. Must have an excellent attitude & great customer service skills. Job related skills are preferred but not required. Duties include food prep, cashiering, dish washing & cooking. Applicants must be able to multi-task and be flexible. Most shifts are swing shift. Wage is DOE. Applications can be obtained from Florin Road Bingo (Customer Service), 2350 Florin Road, Sacramento, Monday through Sunday (4 pm until 8 pm) or Wednesday (9 am until 1 pm).

May 15th FREE Tax Seminar for Nonprofits

Happy Mother's Day from Our Featured Businesses

May 14th Small Business Symposium

Are you ready to expand your business?

Have you been searching for new ways to take your business to the next level?

Then the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's 2014 Small Business Symposium is just the event for you!

If you are serious about business growth, attend this conference on May 14th to:

Participate in matchmaking between you and purchasing representatives from government agencies, prime contractors, and large corporations. With a set appointment with the buyers that make the decisions, you will have the opportunity to become a preferred vendor with the entities that can generate more business for you!

Learn how to penetrate the Latino Market. With a buying power of more than 3 trillion dollars, you want to make sure that your business is not left behind. Attend workshop seminars on cultural advertising and hear how to best market to this powerful audience.

Find out about Resources for Service and Commodity Bid Solicitations, Bonding, Insurance, Loans, Marketing, and Certification that will make your business stand out in today's market.

Meet and connect with hundreds of like-minded business owners to grow your network and gain referrals. If you are serious about expanding your business, then sign up today!

Members $40/Non-Members $50. Admission price includes: Program, Procurement Matchmaking, Educational Seminars, and Lunch with Keynote Speaker.

For exhibitor opportunities and to purchase tickets, log on to www.sachcc.org or call 916.486.7700.

For sponsorship opportunities, please call Alice Perez at 916.486.7700 x.222.

May 7th Webinar: Create an Administrative Procedures Binder for Your Business

May 1st Bingo Birthday Bash

Florin Road Bingo turns 23 years young this May 1st! You're invited to their fun-filled celebration at 2350 Florin Road, Sacramento.

Full Dinner plus a Cupcake!

$1000 Drawing-Free $500 game

Grand Prize Drawing is a Las Vegas Bingo Trip for 2 with All Expenses PAID!

27 games - $33 reserved through April 27th

27 games - $35 at the door

For more info, call the hall at 916-422-1282 or visit www.scc-bingo.com.

May 1st Security Task Force Meeting

May 9th Small Biz Workshop

South Line Phase 2 Construction Info

The Blue Line to Cosumnes River College light rail extension project (also referred to as South Line Phase 2) is one of the highest priority transit projects in the Sacramento region.  Once complete, it will extend light rail 4.3 miles from the existing terminus at Meadowview Road to CRC and will also connect with the existing Florin Road light rail station.

To be added to Sacrametno Regional Transit District's electronic newsletter and construction alert distribution lists, visit www.blueline2crc.com and click on the "Sign Up" link. 

If you would prefer a hard copy newsletter, call the project information line at 916-556-0113.  Leave a message requesting the newsletter by mail along with your first and last name, mailing address and phone number.  

Business Events this April & May

SBA Financing Options workshop. Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 1:30-3:00 pm, Northern California SBDC, 1410 Ethan Way, Sacramento. Learn about various SBA loan programs, financing options, the loan application process, and more. Register by calling the SBA at 916-735-1700 or visit http://goo.gl/DTI6s8.

Multicultural Business Exchange. Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 5:30-7:30 pm, Universal Technical Institute Campus, 4100 Duckhorn Blvd., Sacramento. Network with ethnic chambers and member-based organizations. Free for SHCC members, $15 for non-members. Call 916-486-7700 to register.

3rd Annual Networking Nexus: Region's largest speed networking event. Thursday, May 22, 2014, 3:30-7:30 pm, Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St, Sacramento. Connect with over 800 businesses in only 4 hours. Register at www.sacasiancc.org.

Spring into Savings with Our Featured Businesses

Health Inspection Workshop for Restaurant Owners

Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna invites local restaurant owners to a County EMD/Health Department Workshop. Get answers to your questions about outdoor dining, roll-up doors and windows, new restaurants opening, and more.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014
9:30 am
Mulvaney's B & L - in the Annex
1215 19th Street, Sacramento.

Please RSVP by contacting Lisa Nava at 916-874-8157 or at NavaL@saccounty.net.

Highlights of District 8 Leadership Breakfast

The South Sacramento community gathered at the Pannell Center on Saturday, March 22, 2014, for City Councilmember Bonnie Pannell’s District 8 Leadership Breakfast.

Attendees heard presentations that included the Entertainment Sports Complex, the police department, the public library, city finances, the drought, light rail, the Sacramento City Unified School District, and the Mack Road Property and Business Improvement District.

The Florin Road Partnership’s executive director, Larry Carr, reported on FRP’s recent projects, including:

- A video and TV commercial highlighting the diversity of the Florin Road business corridor.

- A business directory published in collaboration with the Stockton Boulevard Partnership and the Oak Park Business Association.

- The Small Business-Government Round Table attended by representatives from five south area business districts as well as local, state and national elected officials. Several recommendations for follow-up were developed at this event, including the promotion of foreign investment in South Sacramento and working with the media to ensure accurate crime reporting.

- The Partnership’s continued efforts to underground utility lines on Florin Road.

- The planned opening of a Walmart Neighborhood Market in the former Walmart store at Southgate Plaza.

- The possible return of Ross Dress for Less to Southgate Plaza.

Mr. Carr is also the elected board representative for Ward 6 of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. He provided an update on SMUD’s proposed Iowa Hill hydroelectric project and addressed questions about smart meters.

March 26th Small Biz Meet & Greet

Meet SACLead for appetizers and refreshments and learn how you, the Small Business Owner, can make your voice heard throughout the Sacramento Region.

Share with other like-minded business owners your ideas and strategies for strengthening our local economy.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014
5:30pm-7:30pm
Hosted by 3 Point Real Estate and Construction
4433 Florin Road, Suite 840, Sacramento, CA 95823.

For more information, please contact SACLead President Scott Rogalski at scott@saclead.com or 916-712-0434.

Happy St. Pat's Day from Our Featured Businesses

Business Events this March

Learn about the Eight Critical Areas of Human Resources at a FREE webinar hosted by Paychex. Tuesday, March 18, 2014 from 2-3 pm ET. Register at www.paychex.com/webinars. Topics include payroll, employee communications, benefits, worksite safety & loss prevention, compliance, interviewing & hiring, employee motivation & development, and employee separation.

2nd Annual Conference for Professional Development & Business Strategies. Saturday, March 22, 2014, 8:00 am registration, 9:00 am-1:30 pm program. At Embassy Suites, 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento. Keynote speakers are Sacramento City Councilmember Allen Warren and Ms. Tina Roberts. Tickets: $50-$65. Register at www.SacBlackChamber.org.

How to Start A New Business workshop. Saturday, March 22, 2014, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Hillsdale Blvd BIC, 5655 Hillsdale Blvd., Ste. 9, Sacramento. An interactive discussion of a business concept & how to transform it into a working business model. Register by calling SCORE at 916-635-9085 or visit http://goo.gl/8qcpV6.

Youth Job Fair. Saturday, March 22, 2014, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Historic City Hall plaza area, 915 I St., Sacramento. For ages 16-22. Free workshops on Dress to Impress and Interview Success. Bring copies of your resume and meet with employers. Info: 916-808-6525.

Connectionopolis: Nonprofits & Social Media. Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 8:00-9:30 am, KVIE Studio, 2030 W. El Camino Ave., Sacramento. Learn how nonprofits can use social media to increase their organization’s visibility & outreach to the community. Admission $10-$75. Register at www.bizjournalevents.com.

Apply for the "California Competes" Tax Credit

The City of Sacramento Economic Development Department and the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) are hosting a workshop on the new California Competes Tax Credit. The program provides upwards of $180 million in tax credits over the next two years for businesses of all sizes that want to expand or relocate to California.

Small, medium and large businesses are encouraged to attend the FREE workshop and receive instruction on how to apply for this new tax credit program available from the State.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 9:00 am to 10:00 am, New City Hall, Council Chambers, 915 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Please register at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-biz-to-host-workshop-on-how-businesses-can-apply-for-the-california-competes-tax-credit-tickets-10831267613

March 19th FREE Seminar: Managing UI Costs

You Can Kick Butts on March 19th!

Rides - Food - Florin Road Fun!

Pacific Rim Plaza Celebrates Another Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Pacific Rim Plaza!

Their Grand Opening was on February 26, 2005 at the corner of 65th Street and Stockton Boulevard, replacing a vacant auto parts store and empty lot. The center is now a vibrant destination for diners seeking authentic Asian cuisine as well as for shoppers looking for unique clothing, jewelry, and gifts.

Recap of Small Biz-Govt. Round Table

On Saturday, February 15, 2014, business representatives and elected officials gathered at SMUD for the South Sacramento Business-Government Round Table Workshop.  This event was coordinated and attended by the Florin Road Partnership. 

The executive directors, board members, and business/property owners of the Mack Road Partnership, North Franklin District Business Association, Oak Park Business Association, and Stockton Boulevard Partnership also participated.  Local, state, and national elected officials and their staff were in attendance. 

The purpose of the four-hour workshop was to bring together stakeholders for a discussion of how business and government can communicate better and promote the economic development of the South Sacramento business corridors.  

The workshop summary report and recommendations for follow-up activities will be available in March. 

Feb. 27th Security Task Force Meeting

Merchants and commercial property owners in our business district are invited to attend our quarterly Security Task Force meetings. The first meeting of 2014 will be on Thursday, February 27th from 1:00-2:00 pm, at our office complex (7300 Lincolnshire Dr., large conference room in Suite 100, Sacramento).

These meetings are designed to bring together representatives from the private sector, city and county government, and local law enforcement to find cost-effective solutions to common safety and security issues.

For more information, or to RSVP, please call 916-424-4230, ext. 1

Trash Talk

Do your part to keep our business district clean by properly disposing of trash.  And if you see illegal dumping activities, promptly call the City of Sacramento Operator at 311 or 916-264-5011.

Happy Valentine's Day from Our Featured Businesses

FREE Security Service for Our District Merchants

The Florin Road Partnership contracts with Paladin Private Security to provide an armed patrol of the Florin Road business district. This FREE service is available 24/7 to merchants and commercial property owners within the district boundaries.

For more information, or to sign-up for the service, please contact our office at 916-424-4230, x. 3.