Business Development:
Resources
Your Business Roadmap
Let's make your business a reality with these four basic steps for any business. Your Economic Development Office and the entire City team are here to support you at every step of the way.
Business Tools
Business Support Services
SBDC Business Planning Services
Free, confidential, and expert business consulting tailored to your needs.
Parking Validation Program
Accommodate businesses unable to obtain parking permits for their employees
Santa Cruz Works
A gateway to the Santa Cruz tech ecosystem
Guide To Workforce Assistance for Employers
A guide to an array of little to no cost workforce services for businesses.
Monterey Bay Internships
Connecting local businesses with local talent.
Behind Every Employer
Connecting Companies to Educational Leaders Across the Country to Provide Solutions for the Workforce Talent Challenges
Financing & Incentives
Green Business Certification Program
Go Green! The next level of environmental responsibility.
GO-Biz Business Incentives
GO-Biz offers a variety of incentives to help your California business grow
Grow Santa Cruz Loan Programs
Grow Santa Cruz Loan Programs
Storefront Beautification Grants
Apply for funding to beautify your storefront and boost your business!
Downtown Pops! Vacant Storefront Activation Program
Downtown Pops! Vacant Storefront Activation Program
Economic Development Subsidy Report
The purpose of this report is to provide the information required pursuant to Government Code Section 53083 in regard to the Agreement.
Factoids
Don't just take our word for it - we have the numbers to back up our story too. Head over to our data page to learn more.
61,800
Population (Census, 2022)
12.74
Square Miles
$105,491
Median Household Income (Census, 2022)
Partners
We work with some incredible organizations to help Santa Cruz flourish. Contact us for more information on any of our partners.
About Choose Santa Cruz
Choose Santa Cruz is the flagship program of Santa Cruz Economic Development (SCED). A department of the City of Santa Cruz, we promote economic vitality and growth citywide in four interconnected areas.
We are your go-to resource for business growth and creation within the City of Santa Cruz
We guide complex multi-year City projects that drive and underpin our economy
We shepherd multi-family mixed income housing projects from idea to move-in
We support the arts & cultural events that make Santa Cruz a great place to live, work, & visit