Despite the challenges with being a small business owner, particularly during the time of COVID-19, Traci Lawson of Public Lemon said she’s honored to be a part of the Vista business community.
“I am proud to own a business in the Downtown Historic Vista Village and thankful for the continued support of the city,” Lawson said.
Lawson, and other Vista business owners, can anticipate more support in the coming months after the City of Vista received $26 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funding with several million allocated to providing grants and other support to local businesses. The city will also develop a non-profit grant program, but has yet to finalize the details.
These funds will support the local economy in a variety of ways including promoting local businesses , waiving fees for activities that support the economy, funding cybersecurity efforts of small businesses, training new entrepreneurs, implementing a paid internship program and a training program for established businesses, and funding a clean and safe program in Downtown Vista. The City and Chamber also plans to conduct a gap study to determine what other workforce development programs are needed for Vista adults. More information about these programs can be found on the City of Vista’s website.
Lawson said she’s thrilled to learn about the additional funds that the City of Vista will have to support local businesses.
“This proves that the city supports businesses and economy by allowing small businesses to get additional support to help get them through the year and have continued success in the future,” she said.
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The funds are just one element of support the City of Vista is planning to provide. Earlier this year, the City released its Vista Economic Development Strategy, a strategic framework to guide the City’s economic development policies and programs over the next five years. Included in the plan are efforts to expand economic opportunities for Vista’s resident workforce and revitalize Vista’s commercial and industrial areas.
Bill Hornung, who heads the Vista is Open and Shop Downtown Vista campaigns, said all plans are tied to long-lasting growth for businesses.
“The goal for Vista Is Open and Downtown Vista initiatives is to re-focus on sustainable programs that reflect more normal business activity versus the rapidly changing conditions during the height of the pandemic,” Hornung said.
Hornung said they are working to increase Vista’s presence on the internet that will ultimately benefit local businesses such as advertising “daily specials,” an events calendar and a craft beer directory online.
“Social media does a great job for an individual business promoting an event,” Hornung said. “But as a consumer there wasn’t one spot to see everything that’s going on in town, so event calendars on both VistaIsOpen.com and DowntownVista.org were created.”
Looking ahead, Hornung said there are plans to introduce podcasts and more videos to highlight local shops.
“Vista Is Open and the Downtown Vista programs are both designed to help be the arms-and-legs to get the word out about local businesses,” Hornung said. “We realize how resources for particularly small local businesses are stretched thin and they don’t have much time or money for advertising or marketing. Everything we do is free including creating the content we use on social media or the websites.”
The City also tasked the Chamber with implementing the new city small business grant program, an internship program and a study to determine the workforce training gaps for adults.
“The Vista Chamber is excited to assist with the $2.7 million small business grant program in partnership with the City,” Rachel Beld, CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce, said. “In addition to funding, our local businesses need Vistans to show up and support them. Shop and dine locally, use the local plumber or electrician, and be kind when you patronize a business. Almost every industry is struggling with staffing shortages. Be patient and follow the health and safety rules for that business.”
Beld said the Chamber will also launch an City internship program the Council approved with the new funding. High school students will be paired with Vista companies for a paid internship. The Chamber is currently looking for business partners to participate in the Summer 2022 program.
“The Vista Internship Program was born from the idea that many students are unable to participate in unpaid internship opportunities yet could benefit from the experience and connections these types of internships provide,” she said. “The goal is to place 100 incoming seniors in internships for 100 hours over the summer school break in 2022.”
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All the support provided by the City, Chamber and the affiliate programs are what keep Vista’s business community thriving. Like Traci Lawson of Public Lemon, Five Suits Brewing owner Nick Corona said navigating the pandemic has been slightly easier with the support of others.
“Having the support from the City of Vista and the extra programs are incredibly helpful, especially considering this is our first year in business and not many people in the community know about us,” Corona said. “There are a lot of active members in this community that have reached out to us to help spread the word and each interaction means so much to us.”
Despite the continued support from the City, Corona and Lawson both stressed the importance of support from local residents as well.
“We’ve seen so many people come out and support us through some of the most difficult times any new business could imagine and it’s truly been one blessing after another,” Corona said. “We’ve been the recipients of so much love, appreciation and gratitude for what we’re doing here. It really makes us appreciate having moved into Vista.”
Judy Ritter, Vista Mayor, said local businesses can continue to look to the city and chamber for assistance they may need.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is unfortunately far from over. However, business owners can continue to rely on the City of Vista and Vista Chamber for assistance,” Mayor Ritter said. “We’ll continue to work to find long-lasting solutions that support our businesses and the people they serve.”
