Recycling Market Development Zone
Sonoma/Mendocino/Lake Counties
The Sonoma/Mendocino/Lake Counties Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) includes the incorporated and unincorporated areas of all three counties. The incorporated cities of Sonoma are Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor. Mendocino County encompasses the cities of Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Ukiah, and Willits. Lake County consists of two incorporated cities: Clearlake and Lakeport. The zone is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, Marin County and San Pablo Bay to the south, Solano, Yolo, Colusa, Glenn, and Napa counties to the east, and Humboldt and Trinity counties to the north. The counties are linked by the Highway 101 transportation corridor, Highway 20, a shared watershed, the agricultural and tourist industries, and their integrated waste management practices.
Incentives
Sonoma County offers local incentives such as fast track permitting and reduced plan check filing fees by the City of Petaluma. Consulting services are available through the Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center, the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association, and the Private Industry Council. Additional financial incentives include Sonoma County Industrial Development Bonds and Small Business Administration loan program.
Mendocino County offers other incentives through the City of Willits such as the Development Center, the Ukiah Business Development Center, Community Block Grant loans, and Industrial Development Bonds. Other economic development tools include expedited permit processing, general plan and zoning amendments, business counseling and management assistance, and private loans through local banks.
In Lake County, the Lake County Economic Development Corporation, a local economic development corporation, is responsible for coordinating local incentives and maintains a very active network of local, State, and federal service providers. Community Development Services, a local economic development consulting firm, provides administrative support to the Lake County Business Outreach and Response Team.
Target Materials
The zone targeted the following materials for feedstock: paper, glass, organics, inerts (construction and demolition debris), plastics, paint, and tires. Other materials will be targeted as opportunities arise.
Infrastructure
Recycling: Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties have a large network of recycling centers, transfer stations, and landfills. Five licensed, franchised waste haulers provide collection services. A substantial network of drop-off and buy-back recycling centers provide efficient zone coverage.
Transportation: The zone is uniquely situated above the urban Bay Area and just below the more rural northern counties. U.S. Highway 101 is the major north-south route, connecting both Mendocino and Sonoma Counties to the San Francisco and Bay Area. Marin County is directly to the south and Humboldt County to the north. The major east-west route in Sonoma County is State Highway 12, connecting the county to Napa County and Interstate Highway 5 to the east and extending the county to the Pacific Ocean to the west.
State Highway 29 runs through Lake County south to Napa and Vallejo. State Highway 175 links the county with U.S. Highway 101 to the west. State Highway 20 runs east-west through the county linking Interstate 5 with Highway 101 to the west.
Contacts
Leslie Lukacs
Executive Director2300 County Center Drive Suite B-100
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 565-3687
Email: Leslie.Lukacs@sonoma-county.org
County: Sonoma
CalRecycle Contact: Frank Severson
Zone Assistance: Regional Zone Contacts or LAMD@calrecycle.ca.gov, (916) 341-6199