By Deb Beddoe Chairman of the Board Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce  

Businesses of all sizes are extremely important to a local economy. In our modern day struggle to balance environmental sustainability with energy needs; balance traditional models of education with 21st century innovation; balance economic integrity with managed growth; balance emergency services spending with emergency services costs; and all the while staying focused on the future of the city, the role of business is extremely important in this ongoing pursuit of balance.

I purposely use the word “balance” because there is no issue that faces our community that doesn’t have pros and cons. It is finding the balance between the two that our community leaders and business leaders are tasked to pursue. At the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, we have a saying that guides us and is permanently affixed to one of our walls: “Speaking for Business, Listening to the Community.” It is our goal, our job, to bring business balance to the community. Businesses and business owners understand that the environment is important, that education is important, that emergency services are important, and that the local economy is important. But not at the expense of business, rather in collaboration with business. This collaboration makes us stronger as a community.

Here are a few of the ways that business impacts our local community:

Business license taxes go directly into the general fund of the city to allow the city to pay for services for all of our residents including our parks, trails, beaches, and other elements of our active lifestyles.

The 80,000 people that are employed by our 6,000 businesses are spending money right here in Carlsbad by going out to lunch, shopping, buying gas, and running their errands.  The sales taxes generated by these 80,000 people shopping in Carlsbad also contribute to the general fund.

Businesses that bring new ideas for new products or a more efficient approach to existing ideas inspire 21st century evolutions into our traditional education system as well as our way of life.

The hospitality and leisure industry in Carlsbad attracts 3.5 million visitors per year.  Not only does this generate almost $20 million in Transient Occupancy Tax revenue, but it also generates sales tax revenue when these 3.5 million visitors shop and pay sales tax in Carlsbad.

Businesses are the primary support for the non-profit efforts in this community from sponsoring a little league team to building a new facility for the Boys & Girls Club.

In honor of the State of the City event held last month, I want to thank Mayor Hall, the city council members, and the city staff for showing the leadership that understands and supports the role of business as part of the balance in the overall community.   Because of the support of our city leaders toward business growth, the entire community benefits from resources going towards making our community safe, resources for amenities like parks and trails, and resources towards presenting Carlsbad as a location worthy of establishing a business, a home, or even just a visit.  Speaking for business, we look forward to continuing to be a part of the long term vision for the Carlsbad community.