Body of News Release
UPDATE 5/5/26: The Board accepted the presentation and approved the report.
Marin County, CA – There is strong evidence that microenterprises – very small businesses with fewer than five employees – are important engines of prosperity in Marin County. Over 70% of businesses in Marin are considered microenterprises, and they contribute significantly to Marin’s economy.
For these reasons, the County’s Office of Equity launched the Microenterprise Support Program to help entrepreneurs — particularly those in underserved or low-income communities – start and grow their businesses. First-year progress and second-year goals for that program, including expansion to Marin City and Novato this summer, will be presented to the Board during its May 5 meeting.
The gist: It’s working.
According to the staff report, the program provides business advising and training for microbusiness entrepreneurs across Marin, with particular focus on lower-income areas where the entrepreneurs may experience barriers to business ownership.
The Microenterprise Support Program incorporates a place-based model wherein participants can access support at trusted locations within their community. So far in 2026, the County has initially focused those services on the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael and West Marin.
Under the Microenterprise Support Program umbrella, the County launched the Apoyo a Negocios (“Business Support”) pilot in the Canal, followed by the Emprende West Marin (“Start West Marin”) pilot. Through partnerships with the Small Business Development Center, Canal Alliance and West Marin Fund, over 226 entrepreneurs have completed business training on topics ranging from crating a business plan, growing customer bases through social media, and navigating the business license and permitting process.
“Early results from the Microenterprise Support Program show that strategic investments in entrepreneurs not only benefits families in Marin, but also the overall health of Marin’s economy,” said Jamillah Jordan, Office of Equity Director. “The program helps entrepreneurs in Marin turn their talents, passion, and hard work into businesses that build generational wealth for their families and strengthens Marin’s economy.”
Similar pilots will be launched in Marin City and Novato, in partnership with the Marin County Free Library, in 2026.
In support of the County’s focus on economic vitality, the Microenterprise Support Program promotes economic equity through entrepreneurship. Based on a national study that evaluated the economic returns of one-on-one business advising for entrepreneurs who enrolled in Small Business Development Center services, the local economic impact from program participants who engage in one-on-one advising as part of the program is anticipated to be up to $5 million, from an investment of $250,000 by the County.
Funding for the program comes from the Marin County Race Equity Action Plan, which identified economic opportunity, housing, and mental health as critical focus areas for addressing racial inequities. Building a racially equitable community is one of the Board of Supervisors’ six core priorities.
Follow the County of Marin’s progress with economic vitality and equity measures.
(Photo by Carlos Porrata)