Sacramento businesses are being encouraged to apply for the City’s Economic Gardening program, which offers 40 hours of advanced market research consulting and up to $50,000 in matching grant funds to support business expansion, according to a Mar. 9 announcement.
The initiative aims to help established local companies grow by providing expert guidance and financial support. The program connects participating businesses with specialists from the National Center for Economic Gardening, who use market research to identify new customers, differentiate services, and uncover opportunities. Berkeley Strategy Advisors also provides technical advisory support throughout the process.
To be eligible, companies must be based in Sacramento, have between five and 99 employees, and generate approximately $1 million to $50 million in annual revenue. Businesses planning expansions into new markets or pursuing major contracts are especially encouraged to apply.
“The Economic Gardening program helps local companies make data-driven decisions that accelerate growth,” said City of Sacramento Project Manager Michael Young. “The expert business intelligence and matching grant opportunity help business increase revenue, create jobs, and expand operations while keeping that growth here in Sacramento.”
Andrey Kalchenko, co-owner of Executive Avionics—a current participant—said the research provided valuable insights: “The data helped us see where demand for modern avionics upgrades is growing and how we can position our services to reach those customers. We’re using the insights to guide new equipment investments that will help us compete for additional and more complex projects in a more effective and competitive manner.”
After completing the research phase with the National Center for Economic Gardening, businesses may receive up to $50,000 in matching grants to implement their growth strategies. Since its start in 2020, 32 local companies have participated in the program, including six selected for the most recent cohort.
