Business Resources
Support for the City Heights Small Business Community
As of July 2023 CHBA no longer oversees the City Heights Business Improvement District contract. Our organization is focused primarily on keeping the City Heights Maintenance Assessment District clean and safe, however we provide these resources as a service to business owners in our local community.
Business Services
The Economic Development Department has compiled a list of frequently requested services often used by businesses and nonprofits serving business districts throughout the city.
Visit the City of San Diego Economic Development Department to view the list
Education
The San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network provides a vast array of no- and low- cost support to entrepreneurs and small businesses through their nine locations/sub-contractors:
- North San Diego SBDC (MiraCosta College) in Carlsbad
- Imperial Valley SBDC (Imperial Regional Alliance) in Imperial
- East County SBDC (East County Economic Development Council) in El Cajon
- South San Diego SBDC (Southwestern College) in National City
- Alliance SBDC (Asian Business Association of San Diego with the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) in Kearny Mesa
- International Rescue Committee SBDC in City Heights
- The Brink SBDC at the University of San Diego, a specialty SBDC for innovation-based companies
- Connect SBDC, a specialty SBDC for innovation-based companies
- Export SBDC at the World Trade Center San Diego, a specialty SBDC for companies expanding to international markets
SCORE San Diego volunteers are experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives with a diverse set of industries and specialties who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business professionals start, develop, and grow businesses. They also offer low-cost business workshops, and numerous templates and tools.
Ascent is a free learning platform for women entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business.
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
Finance & Funding
The City of San Diego’s Economic Development Department’s web site is a one-stop shop for all things business in the city. You can get a variety of information on how to start and run your business in San Diego. If you can’t find an answer to your questions online, you can call or email the department at 619-236-6700 or sdbusiness@sandiego.gov.
Visit the City of San Diego's Economic Development Department
Civic Communities offers lending and investment services for organizations and businesses that have limited access to traditional capital or financing mechanisms.
Accessity is a nonprofit, mission-based microlender dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with the accessible financing and the resources to create or grow healthy businesses.
The San Diego Workforce Partnership can help you tap into public and private training funds, access to capital, tax incentives and wage subsidies. Call (619) 228-2900 and press 4 or email business@workforce.org to discuss how they can help.
Visit the San Diego Workforce Partnership
CDC Small Business Finance has an extensive listing of financing opportunities available to small businesses. View the CDC Small Business Finance guide to finding the right small business loan.
The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP), administered by the City of San Diego, revitalizes building facades visible to customers, neighboring merchants and residents. Through this program, the City provides free professional design assistance and financial incentives to small business owners who wish to make a creative change to and improve the curb appeal of their storefronts. SIP is open to small businesses (25 or fewer employees) that are located in the City of San Diego and have a valid business tax certificate. Applicants must be a commercial occupant of the subject property.
Legal & Permitting
Attorneys with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program provide consultations to eligible businesses on legal issues including questions relating to employment law, commercial leases, insurance, contracts, bankruptcy/restructuring, applications for financial assistance, and more.
Spaces as Places is the City of San Diego's comprehensive program to allow permanent outdoor dining and other community gathering spaces within areas of the public right of way.
Beginning January 1, 2024, the minimum wage for all employees working within the geographic boundaries of the City of San Diego will increase to $16.85 per hour. Visit The City of San Diego Minimum Wage Program’s webpage to view the latest information regarding minimum wage and sick leave requirements, as well as notices to display at your worksite.