The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) calls itself the State of California’s leader for job growth, economic development, and business assistance efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of no-cost consultation services to business owners. They include attraction, retention, and expansion services; site selection; permit assistance; regulatory guidance; small business assistance; international trade development; assistance with state government; and more.

Managed by GO-Biz, the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) program is “an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in or stay and grow in California and create quality, full-time jobs in the state that might not otherwise be created by the business or any other business,” according to state officials. “Tax credit agreements are negotiated by GO-Biz and approved by a statutorily created California Competes Tax Credit Committee, consisting of the State Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Director of GO-Biz, and one appointee each by the Speaker of the Assembly and Senate Committee on Rules.”

The first CCTC application period for fiscal 2026-2027 opened July 20, with $350 million in available tax credits available for qualifying businesses. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, August 10, 2026, at 11:59 pm. The second application period for this fiscal year runs from January 4 to January 25, 2027 and the third application period from March 1 to March 15, 2027. During this fiscal year, special consideration will be given to applications from businesses within the Strengthen and Accelerate sector categories as outlined in the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint. The Blueprint is described as California’s economic roadmap to create, attract, and ensure access to good-paying jobs for all Californians.

Many Tri-Valley companies operate within the Strengthen or Accelerate categories. Strengthen comprises “sectors where California has an established competitive position and/or significant employment, but where there is leveling growth or wages,” according to officials. Those sectors are defined as Creative Economy, Manufacturing, Financial and Professional Services, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, Working Lands and Water, and Transport and Logistics. The Accelerate category comprises “sectors with moderate to high projected growth that are ready for expansion, where additional investments (e.g., capital, infrastructure) could ‘bend the curve’ to generate growth,” officials explain. Those sectors are defined as Aerospace and Defense, Clean Economy, Life Sciences, Working Lands and Water, and High-Tech.

GO-Biz hosts online webinars about the California Competes program to educate company owners and executives interested in applying to the program. Webinars consist of a 45-minute presentation followed by a question and answer session. Officials say each webinar offers an overview of the program, program goals and evaluation criteria, and step-by-step instructions through the application process. Webinars are scheduled at 9:30 am on July 22, 2026 and 3 pm on July 30. Online registration is required to participate. A recorded webinar of the California Competes Program is also available.

Officials note that “any business can apply for the California Competes Tax Credit. The credit is available statewide to all industries. However, while there are no geographic or sector-specific restrictions, the purpose of the California Competes Tax Credit is to attract and retain high-value employers in California in industries with high economic multipliers and that provide their employees good wages and benefits.”

For more information about the California Competes Tax Credit program, please visit www.business.ca.gov/california-competes-tax-credit.

For more information about California Jobs First State Economic Blueprint, please visit www.jobsfirst.ca.gov/blueprint.

A recorded webinar from January 2026 about the California Competes Tax Credit program is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrj_CwUXsWw.

For additional help or information about the California Competes Tax Credit, call (916) 322-4051 or submit a request at www.gobiz.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.

For more information about the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, please visit www,business.ca.gov.