The records of the Department of Economic and Business Development document California's efforts to promote economic development, provide service to visitors, and assist California and foreign businesses active in international trade. This record group contains 20 cubic feet of textual records covering the period 1978-1984 and includes sixteen record series. While the department had several offices during these years, only the records pertaining to bill files, the Director's Office, the Office of International Trade (OIT), and the Office of Small Business Development (OSBD) were transferred to the State Archives.

Originally established in 1969, the Department of Commerce was responsible for encouraging economic expansion in California. Funds for the Department of Commerce ceased after June 30, 1975, whereupon the department terminated operations. Two years later, in 1977, the State of California enacted legislation to create the Department of Economic and Business Development within the Business and Transportation Agency, essentially resurrecting the old Department of Commerce (Statutes of 1977, Chapter 345). It was to be the primary state agency responsible for promoting economic growth in California by evaluating government policy, conducting studies on business and industry, and providing information to visitors and foreign business representatives. The work of the department was initially divided into five offices: (1) Economic Planning, Policy, and Research, (2) Local Economic Development, (3) Business and Industrial Development, (4) Visitor Services, and (5) International Trade (Statutes of 1977, Chapter 345). Soon after, the Office of Small Business Development was added to the department (Statutes of 1977, Chapter 924).

20 cubic feet

For permission to reproduce or publish, please consult California State Archives staff. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives' collections.

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.