Local business groups urge Encinitas to prioritize economic development and small‑business support
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Summary
Representatives of Cardiff 101, Leucadia 101, the Encinitas Chamber and Visit Encinitas told the council that economic development and business retention should be central priorities in the city’s strategic plan, citing sales‑tax revenue, jobs and cultural events as benefits.
Business and community groups told the Encinitas city council that economic development and small‑business retention should be a central priority as the council finalizes its strategic plan.
Speakers representing several downtown and main‑street organizations described how retention and attraction of local businesses support jobs, sales and hotel tax revenue the city can reinvest in infrastructure and services. Joyce Shepherd, president of Cardiff 101 Main Street Association, asked councilmembers to “prioritize economic development as a key focus for the future of Encinitas,” saying local merchants need support to reduce vacancies and to attract businesses that fit community character.
Rahul Deshpande, chair of the Cardiff Town Council, and Stacy Riddell, executive director of a Main Street association, urged the city to focus on workforce development, infrastructure improvements needed to support commerce, and streamlined permitting that helps small businesses compete with neighboring jurisdictions. Several speakers pointed out that adjacent cities have dedicated economic‑development staff and urged Encinitas to consider a similar, sustained staffing commitment.
Visit Encinitas advisory board chair Michael Glenn and other business owners noted the role that tourism plays in the local economy and said the city should support marketing and programs that help businesses fill off‑peak demand. Small‑business owners and economic‑development advocates raised recurring requests for improved data on business performance, faster permitting turnaround, and proactive outreach to minority‑ and women‑owned businesses.
Small‑business advocate Cindy Darlington asked the council to consider a three‑pronged strategy of advocacy, data collection and collaboration between the city and business organizations to reduce regulatory friction and help startups and restaurants succeed.
Councilmembers and staff said the workshop’s economic‑vitality focus area will be forwarded to department heads to develop tactical objectives, and they asked staff to identify potential staffing models (contract, dedicated position, or consultant) and near‑term actions that could be taken within the existing budget. Staff noted that some grant and consultant services exist to support economic development while the city considers longer‑term staffing.
Ending: The council asked staff to return with options — including estimated costs and expected outcomes — for how the city could step up economic development work and for how existing business groups might be integrated into a coordinated implementation strategy.
