It has been said that the best defense is a good offense.
If that is the case, the city of Carlsbad is on its way to a win on the playing field known as economic development for local businesses. Moreover, your Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is a major player on the field, helping to ensure that its members' interests are well represented during the process.
The City Council has wisely taken the initiative in developing an economic stimulus package for Carlsbad. The council has asked the Carlsbad Chamber for its suggestions, with the goals being to increase business activity, help maintain the tax revenue base, retain existing businesses and attract new businesses that will be good corporate citizens.
After consulting with a number of its members, the Carlsbad Chamber presented suggestions in four major areas, tourism, economic development, temporary fee waivers and the Village, for the City Council to consider during its April 15 forum.
The chamber encouraged the city to engage in a targeted approach to boost local tourism, which includes stays for leisure through a cooperative effort with two U.S. sister cities. Conceptually, the program would offer residents of Carlsbad and a corresponding city vacation packages that coincide with each city's respective tourist season.
In order to encourage companies to expand in or relocate to Carlsbad, the chamber recommended the city evaluate improving its processing time for permits. There are ways to do this without adversely impacting the quality of development or requiring additional staff, including setting a processing goal of 30 days or less for the initial review and embracing a goal of “getting the customer to success.”
Fundamentally, economic development is jobs. Construction jobs have been well documented as a major industry in stimulating the local economy.
As Carlsbad is no exception, the chamber recommended to the council that it extend the approvals of project maps and agreements to facilitate job creation at the first possible moment.
Carlsbad businesses are undoubtedly looking for relief to help balance their budgets, which is why the chamber recommended the council give companies a one-year waiver on their business license fees. It would go a long way in showing that the city empathizes with its local businesses.
The Village has been affectionately called the heart of the city. A city-funded study was completed almost two years ago, yet the comprehensive plan to revitalization the Village has not been implemented.
The Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership was created complete with a board of directors, committees, an action plan and a whole lot of enthusiasm. The only thing missing is funding.
In order to kick start this overdue effort, the chamber recommended that the council provide the initial funding. The city is losing unrealized tax revenue while this effort is stalled.
As you work hard at taking care of your business by providing the best possible service that you can to your clients, the chamber is taking care of business by helping to create and execute a good
offense on all levels.
If that is the case, the city of Carlsbad is on its way to a win on the playing field known as economic development for local businesses. Moreover, your Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is a major player on the field, helping to ensure that its members' interests are well represented during the process.
The City Council has wisely taken the initiative in developing an economic stimulus package for Carlsbad. The council has asked the Carlsbad Chamber for its suggestions, with the goals being to increase business activity, help maintain the tax revenue base, retain existing businesses and attract new businesses that will be good corporate citizens.
After consulting with a number of its members, the Carlsbad Chamber presented suggestions in four major areas, tourism, economic development, temporary fee waivers and the Village, for the City Council to consider during its April 15 forum.
The chamber encouraged the city to engage in a targeted approach to boost local tourism, which includes stays for leisure through a cooperative effort with two U.S. sister cities. Conceptually, the program would offer residents of Carlsbad and a corresponding city vacation packages that coincide with each city's respective tourist season.
In order to encourage companies to expand in or relocate to Carlsbad, the chamber recommended the city evaluate improving its processing time for permits. There are ways to do this without adversely impacting the quality of development or requiring additional staff, including setting a processing goal of 30 days or less for the initial review and embracing a goal of “getting the customer to success.”
Fundamentally, economic development is jobs. Construction jobs have been well documented as a major industry in stimulating the local economy.
As Carlsbad is no exception, the chamber recommended to the council that it extend the approvals of project maps and agreements to facilitate job creation at the first possible moment.
Carlsbad businesses are undoubtedly looking for relief to help balance their budgets, which is why the chamber recommended the council give companies a one-year waiver on their business license fees. It would go a long way in showing that the city empathizes with its local businesses.
The Village has been affectionately called the heart of the city. A city-funded study was completed almost two years ago, yet the comprehensive plan to revitalization the Village has not been implemented.
The Carlsbad Village Improvement Partnership was created complete with a board of directors, committees, an action plan and a whole lot of enthusiasm. The only thing missing is funding.
In order to kick start this overdue effort, the chamber recommended that the council provide the initial funding. The city is losing unrealized tax revenue while this effort is stalled.
As you work hard at taking care of your business by providing the best possible service that you can to your clients, the chamber is taking care of business by helping to create and execute a good
offense on all levels.