The Sonoma Community Center and Wired Sonoma, a local networking group for tech-related businesses, have teamed up to launch a shared work space that will open in mid-February.  The space will be accessible 24/7 with WiFi and copier access, and will have cubicles that can be rented on a dedicated basis or shared by shorter-stint users.  Learn more in a recent article in the Sonoma Index-Tribune, or call the Community Center (707)936-4626 for details.

Highlights of the 2011 Business Confidence Survey and Report, conducted by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, include:

• Business confidence in Sonoma County is climbing, with the strongest indicators coming from the agriculture, hospitality and manufacturing sectors
• Local firms are optimistic about the future, and less economically challenged doing business in Sonoma County than in the U.S. as a whole
• A majority of local executives expect to hire new employees in 2012.

View the full report at the Sonoma County EDB website.

Business taxes, Quickbooks, and Social Media Marketing are among the workshop topics available to Sonoma Valley businesses through our area's Small Business Development Centers at Napa Valley College and Santa Rosa Junior College.  Visit the workshops page for dates and details on upcoming workshops.

Although recent years have seen Sonoma Valley highlighted as the location of an HGTV Dream Home and several restaurants profiled by Food Network hosts , this year's TV season finds almost 10 million viewers exposed to Sonoma Valley wine and tourism through "The Bachelor" Ben Flajnick, who with friends Mike Benziger and Danny Fay (Envolve Wines) are part of Sonoma's artisan winemaking community.  As this video preview shows, it appears that while perhaps only one of the women will win Ben's heart, they are all now among the many fans of Sonoma Valley.

Cash prizes are offered for winners of the 4th Annual Youth Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition, hosted by the Business & Entrepreneur Center at Napa Valley College and scheduled for Saturday, December 17. First Prize College Division is $1000 cash and First Prize in the High School Division is $500.   The deadline for business plan entries is Thursday, December 8th.  Esteemed judges from the business community will be scoring on creativity, research, clear explanations of products and services, and realistic financial plans for each business.  Rules for the competition are listed on the Napa Valley College Youth Entrepreneur website at www.nvcyep.org.  The competition is open to high school and college youth, ages 14-27.

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, the Sonoma Plaza is welcoming several new and expanding businesses, adding even more options to the vibrant downtown district.

Sole Desire has opened a second Sonoma location on the south side of the Plaza, featuring an expanded selection of womens shoes.  Sole Desire will continue to offer both mens and womens footwear at their original location in the Sonoma Market Center.  On East Napa Street, Sox Appeal is now open with a cozy and colorful collection of socks, along with a charming boutique, The French Nest.  West Napa Street is now home to the new and expanded location of The Epicurean Connection, as well as the new branch of Bank of Marin.  Just a few steps south of the Plaza on Broadway, Cafe 522 offers "comfort food with a twist" for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Newest additions to the tasting room scene can be found in the charming "Vine Alley" in Sonoma Courtshops, including Haywood Estate and GlenLyon Winery, soon to be joined in the alley by Bryter Estates.  On East Napa St., Spann Vineyards is pouring in a shared space with Saret Gallery, and the tasting room for Kamen Estate Wines is coming soon.