About Us

Our mission and vision

Our mission is to promote equitable access to economic opportunities. Our vision is to transform people’s lives through entrepreneurship. El Pájaro CDC fulfills its mission through several strategies. Since its inception, El Pájaro CDC has focused on developing small businesses. We have successfully assisted hundreds of small businesses with technical assistance, loan applications and documentation, business plans, marketing, management, and business technology applications.

History

Equal access to economic opportunities

In 1979, a group of community members gathered to organize business owners in the Lower Main area of ​​Watsonville to lobby for equal access to business opportunities from local government.

Community members recognized the need for assistance for business owners in the form of access to business loans and other assistance from local sources. At the time, there was discussion about demolishing some of the buildings in the Lower Main area to build new buildings and promote economic growth, but this action would have displaced many local business owners. Concerned community members decided to form a group that would organize this business owners to address perceived injustices and ensure their voices were heard in local government.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Accommodation for individuals with a disability will be made. Please notify a staff member of your needs in advance.