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Business Services |
The El Cajon CDC is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community based organization formed to conduct comprehensive and managed community revitalization in Downtown El Cajon. Our mission is to ensure the economic vitality of Downtown El Cajon. To accomplish this goal, we work to establish a collaborative relationship with the downtown business community. In an effort to support you as you grow your business, we offer the following services:
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Financial Support
El Cajon CDC offers Business Success Grants up to $30,000 for business relocation, recruiting expenses, and façade improvements. To compliment our Business Success Grant program, we have partnered with CDC Small Business Finance, which allows business owners to take advantage of a specialized loan program for up to $200,000 at a competitive, fixed rate. In addition you can also contact ACCION San Diego for financial assistance.
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Marketing and Promotion
El Cajon CDC offers a variety of marketing and promotional support such as our weekly electronic newsletter, an online business directory of Downtown El Cajon merchants, and the opportunity to participate as a vendor, sponsor or donor in approximately 40 free annual community events. Every month a Downtown business is selected to take the spotlight as the Featured Business of the Month on our website and our electronic and printed newsletters. New in 2009 is our online coupon program, Click for Coupons, offering businesses additional marketing opportunities. |
Business Education and Networking
El Cajon CDC invites business owners to participate in the Merchant Promotion Committee meetings where merchants have the opportunity to network, collaborate, plan events, share successful marketing strategies and learn about business topics of interest. Business owners have access to a monthly Business Education E-Newsletter which includes business articles and business tips on important topics such as energy efficiency at the work place, affordable marketing, and customer loyalty. |
Ambassador Program
El Cajon CDC’s Downtown Ambassadors are the eyes and ears on the street for the business community and the El Cajon Police Department. Ambassadors are committed to providing service, guidance and an overall friendly atmosphere to increase safety and pride in Downtown El Cajon. Ambassadors are assisted by maintenance and litter abatement crews who work to keep the sidewalks and public space clean and safe. You may contact an Ambassador at (619) 572-4090.
Having problems with your building? Click on the Whose Job Is It? link and find out who to contact for help.
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Professional Consultation
El Cajon CDC offers Business Success Orientations for business owners, property owners, potential new businesses, potential property owners, realtors, brokers, and anyone interested in learning about the services El Cajon CDC provides. The orientations cover a range of topics and focuses mainly on the Business Success Grant Program and Design Review Commission. The purpose of the orientation is to provide community members with the tools to undertake a project in Downtown El Cajon.
If you are interested in attending you must register in advance.
To register, call Edith Saldivar, Economic Development Coordinator, (619) 401-8858. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
Orientation location:
El Cajon CDC, 131 East Main Street, Suite 201, El Cajon, CA, 92020.
Orientation dates:
Every Monday, year-round, except Holidays, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
Who should attend:
The business or property owner(s); the person who will be preparing all materials for specific project; the architect or designer (if project requires exterior renovations); and the contractor (if the project requires construction and the contractor has been hired).
What should you bring:
Notepad and pen, brief project description, estimated costs, and a smile.
Meeting agenda:
Program overview, grant requirements / DRC process, forms, timeline, Q&A. |
Participate in Downtown Development Committees!
El Cajon CDC invites business owners to participate in committees and voice their needs.
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Increase Your Business Sales with “FREE” Ideas
This month we encourage you to try a new, creative, and fun promotional idea at your business!! The following ideas from Rick Segel’s Retail Tips include ideas being implemented by other merchants throughout the United States to increase their sales and consumer base.
- Terry Myers, Kaleidoscope Toys, Round Rock, TX: Terry built a float for the city wide 4th of July parade. They threw candy & bead necklaces from the float. Tied to the beads was a $5.00 gift card. They threw 800 bead/gift cards. The kids are having fun using their gift cards. Most purchases have been for more than the $5.00.
- Blanche Schmidt, Schmidt Jewelers, Inc., Arkansas City, KS: Every Christmas they send out a $50 no strings attached gift certificate to their top 50 customers with a Christmas Eve expiration date.
- Gift Basket store in Dresden, ON: Every 6 months they have a free pie tasting and food event open to the public that always generates lots of business.
- Mary Wemark, Ridgeway's Country Star, Ridgeway, IA: This home decor and gift store has a promotion called "Girls Night Out" where they offer donated services from local vendors such as chiropractic consultation, hair styling consultations, reflexology, scrap book making demonstrations, plus lots of free dips and wine. It's a great event with great exposure and lots of fun. This is the type of event that people look forward to.
- Roberta Whipple, The JuneBug Store: This children's store offers a surprise gift for customers who purchase $50 or more. They have 18 lockers with a special prize in each locker. When the customer spends more than $50, they get to pick the locker and some have better prizes than others. It sounds like "what's behind door number 1?"
- The Doll House & Toy Store in Scottsdale, AZ: They sent out $5 gift certificates to their entire email list.
- Linda Pasco, Lemon Grass Gifts: They offer free gift wrapping and they buy special gift bags that become synonymous with their store. This is a topic that has been debated for years, however Linda looks at it as advertising and I believe that she is right. Some stores have offered free gift wrapping and then also offer a deluxe wrapping for a fee. I used to believe that was the way to go but in this economy, where customers are scarcer than ever, Linda's philosophy as treating it as advertising is the way to go.
- 4 Goodness Sake LLC, Orefield, PA; This health food store offers a free cup of organic coffee or tea while you shop. It keeps customers lingering in the store longer.
- Bucksport, ME, Economic Developer, Dave Milan: This is a downtown promotion called "Get Free Gas in Bucksport." If a customer bought a minimum of $50 in a participating store, then they would receive a card for 10 cents off a gallon of gasoline with a maximum of 20 gallons. The more that they would buy, the more that they would save. If someone purchased $300 they would receive 60 cents off their purchase. This translated into the store paying $12 for a $300 sale. That's a 4% discount. It became a win/win/win because the stores attracted people from a further distance, the selected gas stations had an increase in sales, and it was just a fun promotion.
Remember to have fun with your business!! For more ideas on how to increase your sales and consumer base click here (PDF).
Source: Rick Segel’s Retail Tips, July 2009 |
Thank you to the following partner for making this possible
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