Lauren (cofounder and CEO of Embark) told the Santee City Council on the applicant interview stage that her company would open a storefront at 8017 Mission Gorge if selected and operate with a “community-first” approach. Embark said it has 16 operational stores with a 17th opening soon, has allocated $7,000,000 in available capital for the project, and intends to employ local staff and work with an all‑volunteer community advisory board.

Embark emphasized compliance and security. Lauren said the company “implements a good neighbor policy” and would provide 24/7 security infrastructure, analytical cameras and voluntary 24‑hour access to security camera feeds for law enforcement and city staff. She also described the company’s internal compliance processes and said Embark helped shape California’s current regulatory framework.

The company proposed its licensing offer structure and community payments: Embark’s presentation described a 6% direct fee to a host city plus an additional 1% of gross receipts directed to a permanently local community investment fund run by a community advisory board. Lauren described that combination as projected to deliver “an anticipated $3,000,000 in payments to the city and community over the first 60 months of operations.”

Embark also highlighted workforce practices: the company said it participates in a statewide cannabis apprenticeship program, is unionized at some locations and will prioritize local hiring. The presentation noted that the applicant’s head of security is a former law‑enforcement officer with experience writing security protocols now used by cities and localities.

Council members pressed for clarification on where community funds would be spent and on security and parking details; Embark reiterated the plan to locate at a parcel exceeding sensitive‑use buffers and to prioritize site access and parking that avoids impacts to adjacent uses.

If chosen, Embark would move forward with tenant improvements and final permit steps and said it expects to be ready to open more quickly than operators requiring a more extensive build‑out.