Adjacent to Graton Resort & Casino is the Oxford Suites which caters to tourists looking to discover more of Rohnert Park - or maybe test their luck at the casino.
What makes a city “business friendly”?
“Being friendly is about choosing to respect others for their commitment and investment,” says Marcela Piedra, city manager for the City of Rohnert Park, voted Best Business Friendly City in this year’s NorthBay biz readers’ poll. “Businesses in Rohnert Park place high expectations on themselves and have a willingness to execute at an exceptional level. Our city staff ensures that we match that commitment and execution to those who choose to invest in Rohnert Park.”
Piedra continues, “Rohnert Park is recognized for its business-friendly environment, which has attracted a diverse range of enterprises. The city fosters an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting local businesses while also attracting new investment.”
Rohnert Park—population 44,000-plus—is known for several key attributes that make it attractive to residents, visitors and the business community alike. It was meticulously planned, incorporating thoughtful urban design principles to create a well-organized and aesthetically pleasing community. This planning extends to residential areas, commercial districts and public spaces, contributing to the city’s overall livability.
Home to several big box retailers—Costco, Target, Home Depot, Walmart, and others—Rohnert Park also offers a unique opportunity for urban development with its plans to build a downtown area from scratch. What’s more, explains Piedra, “The city offers any small business with a headquarters in Rohnert Park reports on foot traffic and assistance on expansion, connection to the broader business community through our partnerships with the Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce and Sonoma County Economic Development Board, and marketing and general promotion through our social media channels.
“[We’re] often in direct contact with entrepreneurs and businesses interested in joining Rohnert Park, and we try to connect these businesses to property owners and commercial real estate brokers,” adds Piedra, who was appointed to her position in January 2023. Rohnert Park staff also delivers high customer service and permit intake assistance to businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurs to global companies.
“In addition to a concierge service designed to assist business owners from concept to completion and beyond, Rohnert Park has dedicated itself to reshaping its permitting programs to ensure a smooth and simple beginning for any company willing to start here.”
“Marcela [Piedra] has business development as a high priority, and that includes [her staff] doing all they can to make processing more efficient for businesses,” says Lisa Orloff, CEO of the Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce. “‘The Friendly City’ is the tagline for Rohnert Park, and it shows in many ways including the work by our city staff.”
The city recently launched a new digital newsletter—issuu.com/rohnertparkcity—which highlights current information and news, program and project updates (such as progress on the new downtown and local business spotlights), upcoming events, recruitment opportunities and more.
For her part, Piedra is an enthusiastic cheerleader for her city. To NorthBay biz voters, she has this message: “Thank you for voting us Best Business Friendly City. Your support echoes our commitment to fostering a vibrant community where businesses can thrive.”
rpcity.org
