Small businesses are the heart of Pacific Beach.
They create jobs, bring energy to our streets, and shape the character of our community. From our local restaurants and retailers to service providers and entrepreneurs, small businesses are a major part of what makes Pacific Beach feel like home.
Right now, many of these businesses are facing real challenges. Costs are rising across the board, from rent to labor to supplies, while customer spending is becoming more limited due to the increasing cost of living.
This is why the Small Business Enhancement Program (SBEP) is so important.
What is SBEP?
The Small Business Enhancement Program is a City of San Diego program designed to support small businesses through resources, funding, and programming.
SBEP helps provide tools that allow small businesses to grow, adapt, and stay competitive in a changing economy. These types of investments are especially important for neighborhood business districts like Pacific Beach, where small businesses play such a visible and vital role.
Why SBEP Is So Important Right Now
Small businesses are not just storefronts, they are employers, community partners, and economic drivers.
In San Diego:
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Small businesses make up the vast majority of all businesses
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They employ about half of the local workforce
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They play a major role in generating sales tax revenue that supports city services
When small businesses struggle, it impacts our entire community.
Programs like SBEP help ensure that our business districts remain active, welcoming, and resilient. They support the long-term health of our local economy and help maintain the vibrancy that residents and visitors experience every day in Pacific Beach.
What’s at Stake
As the City of San Diego makes budget decisions, programs like SBEP are not always guaranteed.
Without continued investment, small businesses may lose access to important resources that help them navigate economic challenges. That can lead to fewer open businesses, less foot traffic, and a decline in the overall vitality of our neighborhoods.
Supporting SBEP means supporting the future of Pacific Beach.
How You Can Support SBEP
Community voices matter in this process, and there are several ways you can help:
1. Share Your Experience
If you are a business owner, employee, or customer, your perspective is important. Share how small businesses impact your life and why they matter to you.
2. Engage with Discover Pacific Beach
Comment on our social media posts, respond to surveys, and stay connected as we share updates about SBEP and other advocacy efforts.
3. Contact City Leaders
Reach out to the Mayor’s Office and City Council to express your support for continued funding of the Small Business Enhancement Program. Personal stories and real experiences make a difference.
Contact Council President Joe LaCava of District 1
Here’s a sample letter that you can download to use
4. Support Local Businesses
Shop, dine, and engage locally. Every visit helps sustain the businesses that make Pacific Beach unique.
Moving Forward Together
At Discover Pacific Beach, we are committed to supporting our small business community and advocating for the resources they need to succeed.
SBEP is one of the ways we can continue building a strong, vibrant, and resilient Pacific Beach.
When we invest in small businesses, we invest in our community.
