City reports increased outreach, online permitting and industry-targeted efforts under economic development plan

Staff gave an update on implementation of the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP), adopted in 2018, and reported digital outreach gains, process improvements and targeted industry recruitment activities.

What staff reported: The city launched choosecamarillo.com in July 2023 to improve site selection and investor outreach; staff said digital metrics rose from under 900 views in 2019 to 28,000 views in 2024. The update highlighted tourism and hotel metrics collected by Visit Camarillo and described targeted outreach to life-sciences, advanced-manufacturing and defense industries.

Permitting and development-process changes: The city said it has restructured pre-application meetings into a one-hour weekly consultation to lower barriers for developers and entrepreneurs and has launched an online permitting system (launched July 1, 2025) intended to reduce application times and provide transparency. Staff also noted zoning amendments that allow flexible reuse of buildings for advanced industries and described recent wins including HRL Labs expansion and several retail and hotel projects in process.

Workforce, sites and placemaking: Staff described partnerships with local workforce boards and schools, job fairs, and a pending Old Town revitalization action plan to be returned by year’s end. Identified sites in various stages include Amara/Costco parcel, the former Selick (fairing) site and other parcels the city is marketing to retailers.

Council reaction: Council members welcomed the online permitting rollout and asked staff to continue marketing to higher-value employment sectors such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

Ending note: Staff said the city will refresh the EDSP in early 2026 and prepare an annual economic-development work plan tied to council priorities.