Seaside committee reviews five-year economic development plan, discusses small-business incentives

City staff presented a draft five-year Economic Development Action Plan and asked the C Jobs committee for direction on priorities and the data the plan should include. Laura Collotta, administrative analyst for staff, introduced the nominees for business recognition and then staff explained the plan’s structure and goals.

The staff presenter summarized three overarching goals in the draft aligned with the city’s General Plan 2040: a “strong, diverse and inclusive local economy,” creation of vibrant mixed-use districts and regional competitiveness tied to Seaside’s identity. Staff said the baseline section intentionally includes limited data for committee input; among the figures cited was the city’s demographic makeup and an estimate of local retail leakage. “We have 46% Hispanic or Latino population,” the presenter said, and staff noted “there’s a $238,000,000 retail, service unmet demand” that the plan aims to reduce by capturing more local spending.

Why it matters: staff said the action plan is intended to translate broad goals into actionable initiatives staff can implement and the council can adopt. Commissioners focused the discussion on programs that would help small, neighborhood businesses survive and thrive as the city’s development changes—especially along Broadway and Fremont—and on how to make the plan practical to implement.

Discussion and specifics: commissioners and staff exchanged proposals for incentive tools, including targeted fee waivers or rebates, temporary leasing or rent assistance for vacant storefronts, and partnerships with banks to make small-business lending more accessible. Staff cautioned legal and interagency constraints and said funding mechanisms (CDBG, city allocations or outside grants) would need to be defined if the committee elevates an incentive program as a priority. “If that elevates to a priority of this group, then in our plan we’ll say, create small business incentive program for Lower Broadway,” the staff presenter said, describing the next steps to define eligibility, eligible expenditures and reporting.

Commissioners repeatedly raised water availability as a constraint on new businesses and redevelopment, urging staff to include due-diligence on water capacity in site assessments. Staff also proposed non-financial strategies—marketing, a restaurant guide, pop-up activations and storefront beautification—to increase foot traffic and make downtown more walkable ahead of larger redevelopment.

Next steps: staff asked commissioners to send suggested data and priorities and said the committee could form a working group to draft the detailed program. Staff said once the committee and council prioritize program elements, staff will return with program details, funding options and legal review. The committee did not adopt a final program at this meeting.