Economic Inclusion Timeline

Economic inclusion is the opening of economic, financial and entrepreneurship opportunities to groups that have previously not had the same access as others. When we increase the diversity of participants in our economy, we can help strengthen that economy. This, in turn, can bring economic benefit to those who were previously underrepresented and begins to improve equity in basic quality of life measures regardless of gender, place of birth, family background, disability or other circumstances of which individuals have no control.

Locally, community partners are working to increase access to employment, job skills, technical assistance, financial support, and opportunities for business development and start-up. These programs give individuals the tools they need to achieve financial sustainability. When individuals and organizations are provided with access to these opportunities, they become more likely to participate in the workforce, pursue education, and engage in activities that lead to economic growth in our community.

To increase economic inclusion, partners are helping minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned small businesses to better navigate the market by reducing barriers to success. They are helping these entrepreneurs to develop business plans and proposals and to better understand finances, budgets, contracting and taxes.

Partner Success Stories

Through RISE San Diego, in partnership with the County of San Diego, Project MOST (the Minority-Owned Support and Technical Assistance Project) has been supporting minority-owned businesses to attain sustainability and business growth by reducing barriers to business success. Project MOST was piloted in September 2015 within the Mid-City and Southeastern areas of San Diego. With the success of the pilot, Project MOST was expanded to encompass the entire San Diego region in January of 2018. Many San Diegans have participated in the trainings and development planning provided by Project Most, including Shellie Baxter.

Genealogist Shellie Baxter joined the Project MOST technical assistance course with the idea of launching Our Genetic Legacy, an organization that would help connect African Americans with their maternal genealogy roots. She found that traditional genealogy doesn’t often consider the social-historical context of African Americans and other Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and its impact on their histories. Her initial vision was to create a database of this critically-needed research that could be accessed by anyone. 

San Diego County Credit Union provides access to financial tips from experts to help both individuals and businesses make smart money management decisions. They provide business resources and financial education and are fully engaged and involved in helping our region to prosper.

To raise awareness of the value of financial planning, their Financial Wellness Wednesdays program has helped provide the community with access to free financial wellness information. Since 2016, the program has delivered nearly 700 financial wellness presentations to more than 10,000 participants.

With a greater prevalence of fraud and identity theft in recent years, it is becoming more and more important to properly dispose of confidential, personal information. Their 2019 Super-Shred event, held in partnership with Shred-It, iHeartMedia, Inc., and the County of San Diego, shredded 239,060 pounds of waste paper in an 8-hour period.

Their Stuff the Bus program, held in partnership with iHeartMedia, Inc. and the  San Diego County Office of Education, supports local schools, teachers, and students by providing students with basic supplies to help better prepare them to succeed in the classroom.

In an unparalleled show of collaboration, the five North County cities of Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista in partnership with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation have launched Innovate78, a branding and economic development initiative that will collectively promote the 78 Corridor as a magnet for talent, companies, and investment. As North County is already home to more than 600,000 residents and 20,000 innovative businesses, the initiative will continue to fuel regional job creation.

Innnovate78.com includes many interactive features including testimonials from companies, resources for building a business, a job portal, content about educational institutions and opportunities and information about living and getting around on the 78 Corridor.

Last year, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, which was headquartered in Escondido, announced it had outgrown its local headquarters. Working together, the cities were able to move the innovative company to a 130,000-square foot facility in Vista, keeping them along the corridor, where they were able to retain employees.