The OC RMDZ provides the following assistance and economic incentives to businesses within the zone:

• Low Interest Loans and Other Assistance with Financing--A CalRecycle RMDZ loan can finance up to 75 percent of a project, up to $2 million per loan. Loan terms are up to 15 years and the low interest rates are from fixed-rate State funds. Rates are kept at or below the prime rate. Businesses who do not qualify for an RMDZ loan are referred to other financing options/entities.
• Permit Assistance--State and local public agencies guide businesses through both the local and State permitting and regulatory processes.
• Location Assistance--Businesses seeking to locate or expand in this region can be directed to industrially zoned property and other sites throughout the zone. The Cities Fullerton and Huntington Beach both offer free business site selection tools to help businesses find the optimal business locations. Visit www.cityoffullerton.com/propertylocator or http://www.surfcitylocator.com/ for more information.
• Feedstock Sourcing/Marketing Assistance--Businesses in need of materials feedstock or seeking an outlet for their residual materials will be provided with sourcing or marketing assistance. The zone also promotes and offers the services of the Commodity Marketplace. The Marketplace allows businesses within the zone the ability to connect with others who may want to trade or sell their commodities.
• Other Benefits--Businesses are given access to Business Plan assistance, industry cluster networks, business incubation hubs, (Golden West College and California State University, Fullerton), the Orange County Business Council, financing assistance, and promotional outlets. The Cities of Fullerton and Huntington Beach also offer Sustainable Business Certification Programs that provides technical support and match utility incentives.

Examples of resources shared with zone businesses:

• CalRecycle RMDZ Loan Information and Application Process (FAQ Sheet)
• State of California--GO-Biz, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
• City and County Environmental Guides, including information to facilitate recycling

Construction & demolition, plastics, organics (green and food waste), cardboard and paper.

Recycling

All jurisdictions within the proposed zone have residential and commercial source-separated collection programs for waste, mixed recyclables, and organics with many beginnings to add programs for food waste. OC Waste and Recycling operates three landfills (Olinda Alpha, Bowerman, and Prima Deshecha). All Orange County cities must haul their waste to one of these three landfills.

The City of Huntington Beach has one materials recovery facility (MRF) located within its jurisdiction, Rainbow Environmental Services, owned by Republic Services, Inc. The City of Stanton also has one MRF located within its jurisdiction; this MRF is owned and operated by its franchise hauler, CR&R. The City of Garden Grove has 11 recycling facilities within its jurisdiction’s boundaries.

The County operates four household hazardous waste disposal sites and each operates a materials exchange program where residents can obtain free reusable products such as paint, household cleaners, and automotive products. These products are at least half full and in good condition.

Transportation

The Cities of Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, and Orange all have industrial clusters accessible by six freeways (SR-22, SR-405, SR-55, SR-57, SR-91, and SR-5).

The total number of businesses within the County is 1,381,148, with projected economic growth expected to add 56,500 jobs by 2017. The County’s economy has 13.2 percent centered on manufacturing and 14 percent centered on waste management services. It is projected that industrial production will grow at an average rate of 2.5 percent each year.

For further local RMDZ information, contact lori.karaguezian@cityoffullerton.com.

Taylor Samuelson