The City of Carlsbad is partnering with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce to offer a four-week Business Academy to equip Carlsbad businesses with a better understanding of city government and services available to them. The program will be hosted over four breakfast sessions on Oct. 2, 16, 30 and Nov. 13.
Carlsbad business owners and representatives will get to know elected officials, the city’s management staff and chamber leadership over four sessions that cover:
- Development in Carlsbad
- The city’s budget and economic development efforts
- Services the city provides for businesses
- Starting and growing a business in Carlsbad, including obtaining a business license, planning, permitting, building inspection and development services
The Business Academy begins with a bus tour of the city’s commercial and industrial areas its first week and wraps up its final week with a question and answer session with city council and presentation of graduation certificates.
Overview
Session 1: The mayor and City Council representatives along with Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce CEO Ted Owen welcome participants at the first session, followed by a bus tour of the city’s commercial and industrial areas.
Session 2: The second meeting focuses on policy and leadership, with an overview by City Manager Lisa Hildabrand and presentations on the city’s budget and economic development efforts.
Session 3: An overview of services for businesses is the topic of the third meeting and includes presentations by the police and fire chiefs, a session on emergency management, library resources for businesses, transportation and parks, trails and open space.
Session 4: The final session deals with starting and growing a business in Carlsbad and covers topics such as getting a business license, planning, permitting, building inspection and development services.
The Business Academy wraps up with a question and answer session with City Council and the presentation of graduation certificates. Each session starts with a breakfast where participants have the opportunity to talk to city officials who present to the academy that day.
“We have offered a Citizens Academy to Carlsbad residents for many years, and we are happy to extend a similar opportunity to local businesses representatives. We believe this program will strengthen the relationship between city officials and the Carlsbad business community,” said Kathy Dodson, economic development manager for the city.
The Business Academy is offered at no cost to participants, but space is limited to the first 40 people who register. For more information or to register, please contact Kathy Dodson at 760-602-2744 or kathy.dodson@carlsbadca.gov.
