Regional Assets

Sonoma Valley is fortunate to be part of a larger region that values sustainability, innovation, and diversity.

Sonoma County government is well known for being on the forefront of areas such as energy efficiency, open space preservation, support for local food production, and community health initiatives.

Santa Rosa Junior College is considered one of the "jewels" of the California Community College System. SRJC offers a strong General Education program for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and more than 175 career skills certificate programs that prepare students for the workforce, including a highly-respected culinary arts program.

Sonoma State University, now in its 50th year, offers degrees in 45 majors at the bachelor's level and 15 at the master's level, through school of Arts and Humanities, Business, Education, Social Sciences and Science and Technology. The SSU School of Business & Economics offers undergraduate business, MBA, Executive MBA programs as well as a Wine Business Institute, and actively partners with other regional organizations to grow the local economy.

The North Bay I-Hub is a regional economic development collaborative to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Hosted at Sonoma Mountain Village (30 minutes from Sonoma Valley).

The regional Business & Entrepreneurship Center (BEC), based at Napa Valley College (20 minutes from Sonoma Valley), is one of seven regional centers in the State of California. BECs work in strategic partnerships with business and community organizations to support economic development needs with a focus on training. Regional initiatives of the BEC at Napa Valley College include the annual Youth Entrepreneurship boot camp and business plan competition, and the annual Wine Country Hospitality Industry Symposium.