lifeinaction
DoingBusinessinCarlsbad

 

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Workforce development &
small-business assistance

Carlsbad Commuter app

Carlsbad Life in Action Recruiter

Useful resources 

Looking to start your own business? Our questionnaire is designed to link small businesses with local resources, providing information to tackle some of the top challenges prospective small businesses commonly face. Be sure to check out our 10 Key Steps to ensuring your new business will have success!

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.

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.

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. 

Your Business Feedback

We encourage ongoing feedback from the business community. Please visit our resourcing and feedback survey to share your thoughts or reach out directly with any questions or additional comments. 

For any questions related to the survey, please contact our economic development team at business@carlsbadca.gov. 

Thank you for your participation and continued engagement in making Carlsbad a great place to do business! 

Economic Development Strategic Plan

Carlsbad Economic Development Strategic Plan

Economic Snapshots

Carlsbad Economic Snapshot FY 2022-2023 Q3

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

New City Manager announced

Post Date:12/04/2024 6:52 AM

The Carlsbad City Council has named Geoff Patnoe, the city’s current Assistant City Manager and an over 20-year veteran of local government, to be Carlsbad’s next City Manager, starting Dec. 19.

Current City Manager Scott Chadwick announced Nov. 21 that he will leave to become President and CEO of the Port of San Diego.

Patnoe joined the City of Carlsbad as Assistant City Manager in March 2020, immediately helping to navigate Carlsbad’s response to the COVID pandemic. In 2022 he led the city’s traffic safety efforts after a 200% increase in bike collisions prompted the city to declare a local emergency. A year later, injury collisions involving e-bikes were down 18%.

"We’ve seen Geoff in action and have been impressed by his strategic thinking and leadership,” said Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn. “In Geoff, we get continuity for the organization while tapping into his legislative background and experience overseeing the prudent use of taxpayer resources.”

In all, Patnoe has over 20 years of local government experience. Prior to joining Carlsbad, he worked for 10 years as the Director of the Office of Strategy & Intergovernmental Affairs for the County of San Diego. As a member of the county’s executive team, he worked on major policy initiatives involving local, state and federal agencies. Before that, he spent five years as Chief of Staff to a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Other experience includes serving as Executive Director of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, a non-profit dedicated to government efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

"I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of City Manager and to continue to serve this incredible community,” said Patnoe. “We have a great team in place, and together we will work hard every day to deliver an exceptional level of service to our residents and businesses.”

Patnoe is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, with a degree in political science and public service. A self-proclaimed soccer dad, he and his wife, Christine, live in Rancho Peñasquitos and have two daughters, one in high school and one in college.

Geoff Patnoe photo
City Manager announces departure

 

 


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