Carlsbad department of development highlights $95M school, housing projects and expanded business recruitment

Kristen Gamboa, executive director of the Carlsbad Department of Development, presented the department's quarterly update to the Carlsbad City Council, saying the office has been active in recruiting and supporting projects that advance workforce housing, infrastructure and business investment.

Gamboa told the council the department helped support the groundbreaking for a new middle school — described in the presentation as a $95,000,000 investment by Carlsbad Municipal Schools — and highlighted Project Riverview, a 36‑unit riverfront apartment development with about $7,000,000 in investment that will activate riverfront parcels. "Your investment is truly fueling the work that strengthens Carlsbad's tax base," Gamboa said, and she emphasized housing as a critical infrastructure need tied to workforce retention.

Gamboa described outreach and marketing efforts, including a CDOD booth at ICSC Red River trade show with more than 4,000 attendees and work with partners such as the local chamber, CMB Bank and Devon Energy for industry tours and a franchisee expo intended to convert local capital into national retail options. She said CDOD is actively managing a pipeline of more than 124 projects across 16 industry categories and that commercial permits have remained steady year‑over‑year.

Councilors asked what most often prevents businesses from locating in Carlsbad; Gamboa said lack of existing retail space (end‑caps, drive‑through pads) and the need to find franchisees are frequent hurdles, and discussed using annual franchisee outreach along with local workforce and housing strategies to address the issue.

Gamboa closed by thanking the council for their partnership and stood for questions.