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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 small business liaison

Post Date:02/11/2025

Whether it’s a restaurant, law office or boutique clothing shop, the City of Carlsbad is packed with small businesses.

In fact, small businesses make up 98% of the businesses in Carlsbad and their success is key to a vibrant city and making good on economic vitality goals set out in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan.

While the City of Carlsbad has always been responsive to questions or concerns from our small businesses, for the first time the city has dedicated an employee to providing guidance to help them succeed. That position is the small business liaison, and Rachel Maltz recently stepped into that role. 

Rachel, a University of San Diego alum, comes to the city after working with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the City of San Diego.

Rachel is standing by to help small businesses with any questions that come up. She’s also working on a new online resource hub to help small businesses find key information at their fingertips, something we expect to be done by mid-summer.

City staff recently caught up with Rachel to see what she’s been up to in her new role:

Q: What inspired you to get into economic development?

A: For me it was always the social impact of economic development. Working with businesses and supporting them leads to growth in their future, new employment opportunities, and our community.

Q: What kind of questions will you help businesses address?
A: I can help them with understanding what kind of permits they might need, zoning requirements for different locations and other issues that come up when starting or running a business. I can be the first stop to get them connected with the right individuals -- either inside or outside the city -- to get their questions answered and connect them to available resources.

Q: What are some of your early success stories or common challenges?
A: I’ve recently worked with businesses across a range of topics, such as where in the city they could open their business or helping to ensure a sign they want to install meets city’s requirements. I can help clarify those areas early on and help keep the road ahead smooth. It's a no-charge service that can save small businesses time and money on some crucial decisions.

Q. How does it feel to help businesses succeed?
A: It’s incredibly rewarding to support small businesses. Knowing I played even a small role in their journey is one of the best aspects of my job.

Q: What’s the best way to get in touch with you?

A: Fill out our intake form at carlsbadca.gov/SBL or email us at business@carlsbadca.gov. There is no question too large or small to ask, so when in doubt, please do get in touch. 

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