Economic Development Team Participates in Business Walk Along University Ave With The City Of San Diego
What does business outreach look like for the City Heights CDC’s Economic Development team? More importantly, is outreach on behalf of resource-sharing organizations, like the City Heights CDC, an essential ingredient for active community solidarity?
City Heights CDC’s Economic Development team gathered with partners at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park before groups dispersed throughout the community for the walk.
As part of their outreach efforts, our Economic Development team participates in business walks throughout City Heights. During their latest business walk, the Economic Development team partnered with the City of San Diego’s Economic Development Department to plan a walk extending from the Lotus Garden to City Heights’ Und1sputed fitness gym.
Twelve groups comprising of members from various local organizations visited over twenty City Heights businesses with the intention of connecting business owners with local organizations and representatives focused on economic development. Through conversations, team members actively listened to the questions and concerns of business owners. They also used the opportunity to share about available resources and upcoming city meetings geared toward supporting local businesses in San Diego.
Business walks are one way we cultivate relationships between local business owners and the City Heights CDC’s Economic Development team. The walks serve two key functions: first, they bring community organizers together. While visiting businesses and introducing themselves and their organizations, organizers are carpooling and walking the streets, spending a significant amount of time sharing stories and ideas with each other. Often, organizers learn more about each member's organization and roles, strengthening the network between resource organizations, like the CDC, and businesses. The organizers’ unified front, cultivated by conversations and idea sharing, brings about the second key function: providing valuable information directly to businesses within our communities. More symbolically, organizers walk into businesses, introduce themselves, and leave owners with brochures and business cards. These face-to-face interactions, the extension of a hand, a warm smile, and the invitation to ask for assistance whenever they need it symbolize our commitment to stand in solidarity with local business owners.
Our team enjoyed visiting businesses and their owners whom they regularly support, as well as meeting new faces. Thank you to the City of San Diego and participating local organizations that joined us in this effort to network and connect City Heights businesses with resources and individuals focused on helping their businesses continue to grow!