The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce has announced that its first-ever Small Business Resource Fair will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the MiraCosta College San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Avenue in Cardiff. The organization is partnering with the Small Business Administration and the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide free and low-cost resources and assistance that are important to the growth and success of local businesses. 

The Small Business Resource Fair is free and open to the public. Attendees can visit with more than 40 representatives from organizations including SCORE, the Women’s Business Center, the County of San Diego, the North County Transit District, the State of California, the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center, Government Offices, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Black Chamber of Commerce, the City of Encinitas, the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, 10,000 Small Businesses Program, CDC Small Business Finance and more. \

In addition, a ribbon-cutting and reception will be held at 8:15 a.m. commemorating the newly opened Business Outreach & Resource Center in Building 800. 

"We are thrilled to open our doors at MiraCosta College San Elijo Campus," said Cheryl Brown Director of the North San Diego Business Development Center. "The Business Outreach and Resource Center is the new home of the Small Business Development Center, the Veterans Business Outreach Center, and the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence. The three programs are designed to support the business community and provide customized data on high-growth, emerging, and economically critical industries, and occupations. All of the supportive services offered by the three programs are grant funded and are at no cost to the community." 

 "Small businesses are the backbone of our community and economy," said Sherry Yardley, CEO of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce. "They create jobs, foster innovation, and contribute to the unique character of our city. Supporting small businesses means investing in the growth and prosperity of our community as a whole." 

Statistics According to Neilsberg Research, there are over 379,704 small businesses in San Diego County. These small businesses make up nearly 99.95 percent of all businesses in the county. In the last 12 months, the SDBC, at no cost, has been able to get 240 new local businesses started, supported 13,093 jobs, increased sales by over $118 million dollars, obtained over $811 million dollars in financing, and awarded over $55 million dollars in Government Contracts.