Relocating

• Willits Frontier Days - July. Billed as the "Oldest Continuous Rodeo in the State of California." The event features a parade down main street, rodeos, western dances and some good old fashioned fun.
• Willits Community Festival & Car Show - May. The festival features a collectors car show, arts and crafts booths in the classic 50's-60's theme.
• Roots of Motive Power Festival - Sept. Features working display of antique steam logging equipment along with Lumberjack Handcar Races and BBQ.

The community of Willits offers a wide variety of other interests. The local movie theatre, refurbished in 1997, has three theatres and runs current releases as well as foreign and specialty films. The Willits Community Theatre provides live entertainment by local performers. Performances include everything from hilarious melodramas to outstanding musicals. For information visit the website (http://willitstheatre.org) or call 707-459-2281.

The Willits Center for the Arts has refurbished the Women's Improvement (WIC) Building which includes a gallery and an upstairs gallery for a performing arts. For information visit the Willits Center for the Arts website (http://www.willitscenterforthearts.org) or call 707-459-1726.

The Willits Library (707) 459-5908, a branch of the Mendocino County Library System, is located at 390 E. Commercial Street. The library provides access to collections of other county libraries as well as to the Sonoma County Library System. Open five days per week: Mon. 10am-6pm; Tues. 10am-8pm; Weds. 10am-8pm; Thurs. 10am-5pm; Sat. 10am-5pm. Closed Fridays and Sundays. WiFi is available at all branches of the libraries.  For information about the Willits Branch visit the website at (http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/library/branches.htm)

Willits has a wide compliment of businesses serving the needs of local residents as well as travelers.

Businesses range from: restaurants, bakeries, sporting goods stores, accommodations, flower shops, a movie theater, antique shops, apparel shops, hair salons, grocery stores, health food & health care products stores, small and major appliance stores, book stores, furniture store, specialty shops, general merchandise stores, nurseries, hardware & lumber products, service stations, to new and used automotive dealerships, automotive service and parts shops.

The professional and service sectors of the community range from: accountants, attorneys, bookkeepers, contractors, graphic designers, printers, real estate professionals, property management specialists, insurance brokers, mortgage and title companies, veterinarians, to travel agencies.

Willits has many forms of assistance for your business, whether it is for start-up, expansion, improvements, or relocation. These programs range from financing, permit streamlining, location assistance, job training, market research to technical assistance.

Financial Institutions

• Savings Bank of Mendocino County - Willits Branch - Conventional, SBA, Commercial (707) 459-5533
• North Valley Bank - Conventional, SBA, Commercial (707) 459-5581
• National Bank of the Redwoods - Conventional, SBA, Commercial (707) 462-3288
• Chase Bank - Conventional (707) 459-7940

Loan Programs

• West Company - Microloans (866) 604-WEST (9378)
• SAFE-BIDCO - Business loans for business start-up, acquisition, working capital, expansion, etc. 1-800-273-8637
• Economic Development & Financing Corp. - Business Revolving Loan Fund for Mendocino County Businesses. (707)-467-5953
• City of Willits - Revolving Loan Program & Facade Grant Program (707) 459-4601

Recycling Market Development Zone

In 1993 Mendocino County was designated a RMDZ by the California Integrated Waste Management Board. This gives added advantages to locating recycling-based manufacturing businesses in Mendocino County.

Access

• Low interest loans up to $1,000,000
• Site, permitting, engineering and technical support
• Feedstock analysis and assistance

Willits has a very moderate climate year-round. The coastal influence contributes to this wonderful climate especially in the summer months when our neighbors to the south can be up to 10 degrees warmer.

Newspapers
There are several local and regional newspapers that provide local and regional information in the Willits area and Mendocino County.

• The Willits News - Willits, CA (707) 459-4643
• Mendocino County Observer - Laytonville, CA (707) 984-6223
• Ukiah Daily Journal - Ukiah, CA (707) 468-3533
• Santa Rosa Press Democrat - Santa Rosa, CA (800) 696-5056
• Mendocino Beacon - Mendocino, CA (707) 937-5874
• Fort Bragg Advocate News - Ft. Bragg, CA (707) 984-5642

Radio Stations
There are several radio stations that serve Willits and the surrounding areas in Mendocino County.

• KLLK Radio Station - Willits, CA (707) 459-1250
• KUKI Radio Station - Ukiah, CA (707) 463-5868
• KNTI Radio Station - Lakeport, CA (707) 462-1551
• K-WINE Radio Station - Ukiah, CA (707) 462-1451
• KZYX Public Radio Station - Philo, CA (707) 895-2324
• KOZT - Ft. Bragg, CA (707) 964-7277
• KMFB - Mendocino, CA (707) 964-4653

Television
Cable service - provided by Comcast Communications 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278).

Several local businesses offer satellite connection.

Willits is nestled at the western edge of the Little Lake Valley at 1,350 feet above sea level and is surrounded by the forested mountains of the coastal range.

The City of Willits, centrally located in the heart of Mendocino County, is on U. S. Highway 101 and State Highway 20 West approximately halfway between San Francisco and Eureka (140 miles either direction), 158 miles west of Sacramento, and 36 miles east of the Mendocino coast.

Willits operates under a City Council-City Manager form of government with a five-member City Council that elects its mayor each year.
The City of Willits, understanding the need to maintain a strong commitment to assisting our existing businesses as well as attracting new businesses, has taken a pro-active approach to economic development. Local government has taken a conservative approach in levying permit and regulatory fees.
The City has programs in place that assist business, such as the Revolving Loan Fund and the Facade Grant Program

Willits has a unique mix of quality housing stock, in a wide variety of price ranges. Homes are still affordable for the first-time home buyer as well as some exclusive executive homes. Homes with acreage, mini ranches, quality homes in sub-divisions are all available in a wide price range.
The estimated median value of a housing unit in the Willits area is $289,213 (2009).
Median gross rent as of 2009 is $941.  Current rental information can be obtained through the local real estate firms with property management specialists on staff and through property management firms in the area.

Manufacturing firms are realizing the advantages of locating and expanding their operations to Willits.

Most commercial/industrial property in Willits is along Highways 101 and 20, or very near, and easily accessible for freight carriers. Highway 20 (east) provides a link to Interstate 5 in the Sacramento Valley and western United States markets, and Highway 101 links Willits to the San Francisco/Bay Area, Los Angeles and Pacific-Rim markets.

Because of our size, we are able to more effectively assist business. The small town atmosphere permeates throughout the community. Locating or expanding businesses receive personal assistance from the city government. The staff works effectively with state and local agencies to make sure your needs are met. You are not "just a number" here, you are a "partner" in the future growth and development of our community.

Zoning, planning and building information, within the incorporated city limits is available through the City of Willits Building and Planning Department.

City of Willits - Building & Planning Department
111. E. Commercial St., Willits, CA 95490
(707) 459-4601

Willits Trade Area: 19,000. The Willits Trade Area includes four census tracts in northern Mendocino County. The Trade Area extends from Willits to the Mendocino/Humboldt County border and includes Brooktrails, Pine Mountain, Leggett, Laytonville and Covelo. Residents of the Trade Area, who live outside the City of Willits in the unincorporated areas make up approximately 25 percent of the non-tourist business with the City.

The Willits Trade Area has grown in population and households at an annual rate between 1.6 and 2.2 percent since 1980, which is slightly higher than growth rates in Mendocino County. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years.

Source: Claritas

Willits is home to a diverse composition of local businesses that provide employment opportunities for our local citizens. The manufacturing and industrial firms located in Willits market products regionally as well as internationally. The following is a partial list of local employers in the Willits area.

The Willits area has many qualified personnel; over 38% of the labor force is employed in the field of manufacturing, precision repair and agriculture. Sales and service accounts for over 36% of the labor force and approximately 25% are employed in the managerial and professional field.

Source: Claritas

Source: Employment Development Dept.

Many highly skilled and multi-talented people live in the Willits area. Home to many entrepreneurs, Willits has a unique mix of cottage industries, small businesses and corporations that offer a wide variety of employment at many levels. There is also a diverse group of skilled labor personnel.

Source: Claritas

The citizens of Willits enjoy a wide array of medical services ranging from the traditional to alternative forms of care. F.R. Howard Memorial Hospital, part of Adventist Health Systems, serves Willits and the surrounding communities. The hospital has served Willits since 1926. Even though it is small, the hospital maintains an aggressive program to ensure that their equipment is state-of-the-art.

The hospital, along with other organizations and businesses host, an annual "Hometown Healthy Health Fair" each October.

Hospital

F.R. Howard Memorial Hospital
1 Madrone St., Willits, CA 95490
(707) 459-6801
Acute care 24 hour emergency, ICU, CCU

Professionals

Several excellent physicians, surgeons, and general practitioners provide medical service in Willits. Optometrists, dentists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists also serve the area.

In addition to the hospital, a rest home, Redwoods Manor Retirement Care Home, and a convalescent hospital, Willits Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, serve Willits.

The population of the Willits area has increased at a very even and moderate rate over the last few years. The growth has been at approximately 1.7% to 2% per year over the last 6 years.

Source: Claritas

Source: Claritas

Source: Claritas

Source: Claritas

Source: Claritas

The Willits Police Department provides services for the incorporated city limits. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Department provides services outside the incorporated city limits.

Fire Protection

The Little Lake Fire Protection District operates two stations and provides the City of Willits and the surrounding area (Willits Unified School District) with fire protection services. The department is recognized as one of the best volunteer fire departments in the State.

Fire Insurance Classification: ISO 5

Brooktrails Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry provide additional fire protection for the surrounding area.

The greater Willits area has some of the most affordable property in the State of California. From getaway weekend homes and estates, to ranches and homes with turn of the century charm. There are many nice neighborhoods from which to choose the lifestyle that fit you.

Rental properties are available through property management companies. Also, many of the real estate offices listed below have rental services.

There are plenty of opportunities to own your own business, invest in commercial/industrial, income property or buy lots and land for future appreciation. As Willits experiences growth, more commercial, retail and service establishments are needed. Look at the list below for a real estate professional who will best fit your inquires. Call today. You'll be glad you did!

Situated near the coast, the Eel and Russian Rivers, Willits is an area for fishing enthusiasts. Abundant wildlife can be enjoyed by all. Information regarding hunting and fishing may be obtained from local sporting goods stores.

There are several excellent trails and nature areas for hikers, bicyclists and campers to explore in and around the Willits area. Little Darby Nature Trail, Jackson Demonstration State Forest and Brooktrails offer trails of various lengths and terrain. Lake Emily and Ada Rose in Brooktrails are local favorites for fishing and fun.

Willits has three public parks for the community and visitors to enjoy. Recreation Grove Park, the largest, is the location for several annual events ranging from the Community Festival & Car Show (May) and Willits Frontier Days (July), which boasts "the Oldest Continuous Rodeo in the State of California."

Visitors staying in one of the many motels or our bed and breakfast inn can take trips in any direction. North of Willits is the Avenue of the Giants, where some of the world's tallest and oldest redwood trees thrive. To the West is the Mendocino Coast with century old towns like the picturesque village of Mendocino and City of Fort Bragg. South of Willits are several excellent wineries. A short drive East along scenic Highway 20 are Lake Mendocino and Blue Lakes. Hunting, fishing, hiking, golfing and horseback riding are other activities that are enjoyed in and around Willits.

The Willits Unified School District provides area students with an excellent educational system. The high school, a California Distinguished School, is accredited and provides an outstanding curriculum. Both primary and secondary schools are well staffed with qualified teachers and aides. Several alternative schools are within the area.

Health Coordinators provide hearing, vision, and dental screenings. A complete range of Special Education services are available to identified students. Counseling services are available at all schools within the District. For additional information on the public schools in the Willits area contact:

Source: Claritas

Willits, centrally located in Mendocino County and on U.S. Hwy 101, is in close proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area.

INTERSTATES

Interstate 5 - 96 miles east

HIGHWAYS

Hwy 101 - 0 miles
Hwy 20 West - 0 miles
Hwy 20 East - 14 miles south

AIRPORTS

Willits Municipal Airport (Ell's Field)

The airport is located north west of Willits in Brooktrails, approximately 2-1/2 miles from town. The airport is 2,054 feet above sea level with a 3,000-ft. runway, 24hr fuel service, FBO on site and 21 hangers. Pattern altitude - 2,800 feet MSL., Unicom 122.8

Longitude: 123 - 22
Latitude: 39 - 27

Ukiah Municipal Airport - 25 miles south of Willits.
Santa Rosa Airport - 80 miles south of Willits.
San Francisco International Airport - 150 miles south of Willits.
Sacramento International Airport - 150 miles east of Willits.
Oakland International Airport - 150 miles south of Willits.

RAILROADS

North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) - NCRA is the governing body for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad

Skunk Train - Willits is the eastern terminus of the Skunk Train. The train provides passenger excursion service between Willits and Fort Bragg . For information call 866-45-SKUNK or visit the web site at www.SkunkTrain.com.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - MTA provides local dial-a-ride and senior transportation service within the Willits valley. In addition to local service, MTA provides connecting service to Ukiah, the Mendocino Coast, Santa Rosa and to the Bay Area. For more information regarding service and fares call 1-800-696-4MTA.

Greyhound Bus Line - provides long distance service. For more information call (800) 231-2222

Amtrak ThruWay Bus Service - offering guaranteed connections to and from Amtrak trains at California Western Depot, Commercial St. Call 1-800-872-7245 for more information regarding service.

TRUCKING

Local industrial and manufacturing firms are served by trucking firms offering trans-continental, interstate and regional shipping options to provide service to the Willits area.