Incentives to Grow Your Business
Cal Competes Tax Credit
Income tax credit made available to businesses that want to locate to and grow in California. The annual budget for this program is $180 million. If interested in applying, please contact EDC for complimentary assistance.
R+D Tax Credit
Manufacturers and certain research and developers may qualify for a partial exemption of sales and use tax on certain manufacturing and research and development equipment purchases and leases.
Other Local Credits
With over 18 cities in the region, many local municipalities have incentives to help companies grow and thrive. These are only applicable in the city your business is located: some examples include:
- City of San Diego Business Incentive Program – The program is geared towards companies who are looking to create or retain employment jobs in Low to Moderate Income (LMI) areas or make a capital investment in the City.
- City of Chula Vista – Chula Vista offers expediated permitting, deferral of certain development impact fees in specific areas, and more.
Other CA State Credits
- New Employment Credit – Available to companies in designated geographic areas of the state who have a net increase in employment and hire qualified employees.
- CoolCalifornia – The CoolCalifornia Funding Wizard can help you find grants related to energy efficiency upgrades and rebates, with a particular emphasis on sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices.
- Industrial Development Bond Financing – Tax-exempt securities of up to $10 million for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipping of manufacturing and processing facilities for private companies. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
Looking to Start a Business
Depending on the type of business, there are many resources availble to help you grow and thrive. EDC’s role is facilating connections and providing a list of resources. Here are some places to start to get your idea off the ground.
Small Business Development Center
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offer access to confidential, no-cost professional business consulting services and low-cost workshops designed to empower small business growth. SDBC offers support to entrepreneurs and small businesses in eight locations around the region.
City Economic Development Departments
If you know the city within San Diego that you’re looking to launch in, contact the local economic development department. Most have abundant resources to help you get set up.
Applying for a Commercial Permit
If you are looking to apply for a commercial permit in the City of San Diego, follow this 10 step guide to ensure you have all the support your company needs.
NETWORK OF Support
EDC has a remarkable network of non-profit partners, trade associations, and additional resources that will help your business thrive.
- Connect with SDVG | connect.org
- EvoNexus | evonexus.org
- Tech Coast Angels | techcoastangels.org
- San Diego: Life. Changing. | sdlifechanging.org
- Tech San Diego | techsandiego.org
- Innovate78 | innovate78.com
- Startup San Diego | startupsd.org
- Startup Haven | startuphaven.com
EDC is an independently funded non-profit. San Diego is home to many sub-regional economic development partners that focus on specific areas of our Mega-region. Though we frequently collaborate with one another, we are sepearte organizations.
- South County Economic Development Council | southcountyedc.com
- San Diego North Economic Development Council | sdnedc.org
- East County Economic Development Council | eastcountyedc.org
- Tijuana EDC | tijuanaedc.org
- Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development | business.ca.gov
- World Trade Center San Diego | wtcsd.org
- U.S. Commercial Service | trade.gov/cs
- Port of San Diego | portofsandiego.org
- San Diego International Airport | san.org
Military/Defense
- Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International | auvsi.org
- National Defense Industrial Association, San Diego Chapter | ndia-sd.org
- San Diego Military Advisory Council | sdmac.org
- AFCEA San Diego | afcea-sd.org
Cleantech
- Center for Sustainable Energy | energycenter.org
- Cleantech San Diego | cleantechsandiego.org
Beer
- San Diego Brewers Guild | sandiegobrewersguild.org
Cybersecurity
- Cyber Center of Excellence | sdccoe.org
- ISACA San Diego | isaca-sd.org
Life Sciences
- Aquillius | aquillius.com
- Biocom California | biocom.org
- California Life Sciences Association | califesciences.org
- California Life Sciences Institute | califesciencesinstitute.org
Manufacturing
- California Manufacturers & Technology Association | cmta.net
- Center for Applied Competitive Technologies | cact.org
- CMTC | cmtc.com
- See more at our Made in San Diego page.
Sports & Active Lifestyle
- San Diego Sport Innovators | sdsportinnovators.org
- San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce | sdchamber.org
- San Diego Tourism Authority | sandiego.org
- San Diego Workforce Partnership | workforce.org
- Downtown San Diego Partnership | downtownsandiego.org
- San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce | sdblackchamber.org
- San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | sdchcc.org
- San Diego Asian Business Association | abasd.org
Looking for international support?
World Trade Center San Diego works directly with companies – free of charge – to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego.
As the international affiliate of San Diego Regional EDC, World Trade Center San Diego cultivates a pipeline of export-ready firms, maximizes foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities, and enhances San Diego’s connectivity to the markets that matter most.
Liz Muthoni
Coordinator, Economic Development