Our goal is to be the go-to-spot for business resources in Santa Cruz and to spread the word about our services we have added to our existing business visit program to begin to hit the streets for informal business visits around town. The Economic Development Office has been conducting formal business visits throughout the city since 2009 as a proactive tool for our office, in partnership with the Mayor to reach out to major employers and specific businesses seeking assistance from the City.

As our team has grown this past year we recognized that we have the opportunity to meet directly with local business owners more frequently through informal walk-in visits we call "business walks". These walks have always been a focus of our efforts because they allow us to provide outreach to the community as well as gain a better understanding of the unique pockets of industry that exist throughout the community. Our goal through this approach is to explain our role as advocates for business, hear and respond to business owners' concerns, and identify the services we can provide to meet their needs.

Our first business walks focused mainly on the Westside/West End area of Santa Cruz where we were graciously given a tour of the University Business Park (formerly the Wrigley Building) by William Ow who showed us the amazing mix of tech, sports, and artistic businesses that set up shop in his ever-evolving building. We also stopped by the artisanal enclave that is the Swift Street Courtyard to visit with Kelly’s Bakery, El Salchichero, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Cameron Marks, The Swift Stitch, Sawyer Land and Sea Supply and French Theft Lingerie among others.

From each of these visits we learned more about the unique challenges they face, revelled in their success, and ensured them that they have an advocate in City Hall who is ready to help them get to the next level and realize their business goals, all they need to do is send us an email or give us a call.

We will continue to make these visits to all areas of the city as a key part of our efforts to continuously engage the business community and determine how we can better meet their needs and ultimately help to promote their successes.

If you are interested in meeting with the Economic Development Office sooner rather than later we are happy to make a visit to your business. Please contact us in the form below to schedule an appointment.