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A VIBRANT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS

Discover what so many businesses already know — a location in San Luis Obispo offers businesses a considerable advantage.

Whether it’s an exceptional pool of local talent, international reach, strong and diverse base of existing companies, or entrepreneurial spirit that you’re looking for, we’re so glad to welcome you to San Luis Obispo.

A program of the City's Administration Department, the Economic Development and Tourism Program is responsible for implementing the economic development policies of the City Council as laid out in the City's Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP). Overseen by the Economic Development and Tourism Manager, this program works to make the City of San Luis Obispo a thriving place to work, visit, and do business. 

Economic Strategic Plan

The Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) was adopted on July 18, 2023. The plan aims to ensure the City's competitiveness and relevance in a rapidly changing environment. It aligns with other major city goals and plans, including the 2023-25 Major City Goals, the Climate Action Plan, the Downtown Concept Plan, and the DEI Strategic Plan framework.  

Follow this link for more information on the EDSP status, data and background.

Traditional Economic Development Activities

In addition to the specific actions laid out in the EDSP, the Economic Development program also focuses on more traditional economic development activities, including:

  • Business retention and expansion assistance
  • Business recruitment
  • Site selection assistance for new and existing businesses
  • Quick Response Team for timely processing of permits, providing development review strategies and identifying potential issues and solutions
  • County, Regional, and State programs through REACH Central Coast

Business Retention and Expansion

Nurturing local businesses is one of the program's most important goals. We can help identify resources for your growing business needs and connect you with local service providers. We also offer site selection and site expansion assistance.

Site Selection

We assist new and existing businesses in finding sites for their business. We work closely with the local real estate brokerage community, property owners and developers to help you find existing buildings or properties that could be developed.

Development Review

The City of San Luis Obispo provides excellent customer service throughout the development process, and works closely with companies to ensure that project reviews are done in a timely manner. We are committed to working with businesses in an expeditious manner on planning, zoning, and permitting issues. More information on planning, building and permitting is available from the Community Development Department.

City Utilities

The City’s Utilities Department has detailed information regarding water supply, conservation, recycling, and sewer information. Interestingly, in addition to City provided utilities, several transcontinental fiber optic line landing points are located close to the city limits.  Telecommunications companies operate critical facilities in San Luis Obispo and connectivity is high-speed.

News and Announcements

Find the latest news about economic resiliency and economic development below. For more information or announcements, visit www.slocity.org/news. 

City to Kick Off Financial Planning Process This Month

Post Date:11/07/2024 2:30 PM

Community members attend the Community Forum.

What should the City of San Luis Obispo’s top priorities be for the next two fiscal years?

Mark your calendars for important upcoming events and meetings that will give you opportunities to help shape the City of San Luis Obispo’s next two-year financial plan.  

“Your voice is vital to shaping San Luis Obispo’s future and we are providing all community members with a variety of opportunities to weigh in and share their perspectives on priorities for City services and programs,” said City Manager Whitney McDonald. “The feedback we receive from community members during this important public engagement period will directly influence the City’s budget and work priorities over the next couple of years.”

This input will be considered as the City Council establishes the Major City Goals that will guide development of the City’s 2025-27 Financial Plan. The goals identified will represent the most important, highest priority goals for the City to work toward accomplishing from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027.

Every two years, the City invites the community to help establish top priorities that will make San Luis Obispo an even better place to live, work and play. Through the City’s budgeting process, the City Council then matches the resources necessary to achieve these priorities, while also ensuring that core services are funded, and integrate them into the next two-year financial plan.

City staff will compile community feedback from the survey results for the City Council to review before the Community Forum on January 23, 2025, and the Council goal-setting workshop in February. During the goal-setting workshop, the Council will officially set City goals for the next two years. A preliminary budget will then be presented to the City Council in April 2025 and the final 2025-27 Financial Plan will be adopted in June 2025.

For more information about the City’s financial planning process, visit www.slocity.org/Budget.

To receive updates from the City, please register for City News e-notifications on the City’s website at www.slocity.org/subscribe or follow the City of San Luis Obispo on social media. 

Media Contact: Natalie Harnett, Policy and Project Manager, 805.781.7282, nharnett@slocity.org

 

 

2025 - 27 Financial Plan Roadmap

Download a more detailed financial plan schedule. 

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