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Proclamation of Local Emergency: Learn how you can help make sure everyone feels safe on Carlsbad's streets

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DoingBusinessinCarlsbad

 

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Workforce development &
small-business assistance

Carlsbad Commuter app

Carlsbad Life in Action Recruiter

Carlsbad Job-Readiness Room

 

Doing business

The economic development team is here to serve and support the city’s business community. Whether you are a small business or our largest tech employer, the city wants to make sure your business thrives in Carlsbad. The city team is here to help with getting your business license, bidding on projects and contracts or meeting with our development services team about permits and processes. You can learn more about the benefits of starting or expanding a business in Carlsbad at our Doing Business in Carlsbad story map. If you are a business looking for a new space in Carlsbad, please email economic development staff at business@carlsbadca.gov.

Useful resources 

The Guide to Opening an Eating Establishment provides insight on where you can open an eating establishment in our city and how the process works. Useful information for food truck and sidewalk vendors can be found on our website as well. 

New state and local environmental regulations are being phased in over the next couple of years. Find information on these regulations, as well as resources for your staff and customers, on the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle page. 

Talent attraction & retention

One of the City Council’s strategic focus areas is bringing quality jobs to the city in today’s globally competitive economy. Carlsbad's Life In Action initiative is a resource for employers looking to land that perfect candidate. It provides additional tools, such as a hiring toolkit with media assets, brochures and infographics, to make the case for why the job in Carlsbad is the right one. 

The Carlsbad Job-Readiness Room is a free program that helps residents build job skills and bolster their chances of landing a new job in Carlsbad. Entry-level workers are invited to take 15 hours of job-readiness skills training online, at a self-guided pace. The city will then help participants secure a job interview with a local company in one of three fields, including hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, or general office administration.

Economic Snapshots

Carlsbad Economic Snapshot FY2021-2022 Q1
Carlsbad Economic Snapshot FY2021-2022 Q2
Carlsbad Economic Snapshot FY2021-2022 Q3

Biennial Business Report

The biennial business report provides an understanding of specific attributes of Carlsbad’s business climate, including workforce and hiring needs, access to clients and customers, and permitting and regulatory concerns, among other issues for Carlsbad’s business community.

2022 Carlsbad Business Report

COVID-19 updates

The city's economic development staff is working with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Carlsbad Village Association to provide business-related COVID-19 updates here.

Connect with us

Carlsbad has a range of options for businesses to establish, grow and thrive. If you are ready to learn more about doing business along the creative coast or have general questions about doing business in our city, contact the Innovation & Economic Development Department at business@carlsbadca.gov

News headlines

  • Faraday newsroom 2

    Financial and economic update

    While acknowledging positive economic indicators, city finance staff advised continued fiscal discipline at the mid-point of the fiscal year, during a presentation to the City Council Tuesday. The

    02/16/2023

  • Carlsbad small business

    Economic Development Strategic Plan

    Economic Development Strategic Plan provides roadmap to economic vitality

    01/13/2023 8:43 AM

  • City Hall exterior

    Elected officials sworn in

    The City of Carlsbad administered the Oath of Office for its newly elected officials on Tuesday, along with holding ceremonies for outgoing Mayor Matt Hall and District 1 City Council Member Peder Norby.

    12/13/2022 5:50 PM

  • Faraday newsroom 2

    City financial update presented

    The City of Carlsbad’s main sources of income are up an average of 10% for the first quarter of the fiscal year, thanks to a continuing economic rebound following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. However, city finance staff caution that high inflation, upcoming pension costs and the possibility

    11/16/2022

  • Woman at computer

    City of Carlsbad wins top 10 Digital Cities Award

    The City of Carlsbad earned top-tier recognition in the Center for Digital Government’s 2022 Digital Cities Survey. The awards recognize cities that utilize technology to improve the government experience for their communities. Carlsbad ranked ninth in the nation among cities with a population of 75

    11/14/2022

  • Newsroom - 2022-11-08T161155.951

    Job-readiness program expands to five North County cities

    North County residents now have access to a free, new program that can help them build job skills and land a guaranteed interview with a company in Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos or Vista.

    11/08/2022

  • Newsroom - 2022-10-18T130318.183

    San Diego Startup Week to start in Carlsbad Oct. 25

    San Diego Startup Week begins on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and the first day of the 10th annual conference for local entrepreneurs will be held in Carlsbad. The event brings together startup leaders, tech talent and the investors across greater San Diego.

    10/18/2022 3:40 PM

  • Newsroom - 2022-08-19T154638.207

    Watch State of the City video

    You can learn more about some of the Carlsbad’s major projects and initiatives from the past year, as well as what’s planned for the year ahead, by watching the 2022 State of the City video.

    08/19/2022

  • Newsroom (99)

    Clean Energy Alliance growing

    Four more North County Cities – Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista – have joined the Clean Energy Alliance, a greener energy alternative that has been serving Carlsbad residents since May 2021.

    08/16/2022

  • Job

    Carlsbad Job-Readiness Room

    New training program connects workers with local companies

    08/03/2022 8:00 PM

  • Newsroom (77)

    Operating outdoors post-COVID

    Many restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores and other Carlsbad businesses that moved outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic will keep their expanded operations, according to a report provided to the City Council Tuesday.

    06/08/2022

  • Newsroom (47)

    New trash, recycling, organic waste service starts next month

    On July 1, Republic Services will take over from Waste Management as the City of Carlsbad’s contracted waste hauler. In addition to collecting trash and recycling, their services will include organic waste collection and processing for all Carlsbad residents and businesses.

    06/02/2022

  • Newsroom (68)

    ‘Skip the Stuff’ law takes effect

    Good news for the environment and for Carlsbad residents tired of accumulating unneeded plastic utensils after ordering takeout: A new city law is taking effect June 1 aimed at reducing the amount of unused and unwanted single-use plastics that end up in landfills each year when people get food to g

    05/27/2022

  • City Hall building

    Carlsbad economy strong, some warning signs ahead

    Carlsbad’s economy is continuing its strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with taxes from hotel room night stays and retail sales far exceeding projections. However, the war in Ukraine, inflation and a gradual lessening of pent-up demand from COVID-19 lockdowns mean ongoing vigilance is neede

    05/17/2022 6:38 PM

  • Newsroom (65)

    Single-use materials bans

    The Carlsbad City Council took steps Tuesday that will phase in changes over the next three years to reduce the amount of single-use plastics that end up in landfills.

    05/11/2022

  • Newsroom (57)

    Climate Action Plan progress

    In support of the City of Carlsbad’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the city is continuing to implement strategies and programs outlined in its Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    04/20/2022

  • Newsroom (54)

    Skip the stuff law

    The Carlsbad City Council approved a new city law Tuesday aimed at reducing the amount of unused and unwanted single-use plastics that end up in landfills each year when people take food to go.

    04/12/2022

  • Newsroom (51)

    Keeping downtown clean

    The City of Carlsbad is increasing the frequency of pressure washing on downtown sidewalks and the Carlsbad seawall to help keep those heavily traveled areas clean and inviting for residents and visitors.

    04/07/2022

  • Newsroom (38)

    Best place to start a business

    Business is booming in Carlsbad, and Carlsbad startups are exceptionally well-positioned for success, according to a new study that ranked Carlsbad ninth on a list of the 100 best U.S. cities start a business.

    03/15/2022

  • Newsroom (26)

    New county law allows “microenterprise home kitchens”

    The County Board of Supervisors has adopted a new law to allow people to operate small restaurants out of their homes for the next two years.

    02/10/2022