Dear Business Owner:

Immediately following the Governor’s Stay-At-home orders that instructed all non-essential businesses to close their doors for public health reasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City developed an Economic Recovery Plan to support businesses through these unprecedented times. Immediately, the City launched a website to advertise all essential businesses that were still operating, collaborated with City partners to disseminate vital information to the public, worked to secure grants, programs and benefits for Vista and eliminated CVBID fees for Fiscal Year 20/21. The City also established an Economic Recovery Taskforce to proactively prepare for business needs and for the economy to reopen. City staff conducted nearly 300 virtual Vista CAREs visits offering assistance, resources, and listening and responding to how the business community could benefit from City support during this period.
 
Enhancements you need to know about

At the May 26, 2020 and June 3, 2020 City Council meetings, the City Council approved enhancements to the Economic Recovery Plan to offer free services and support to local businesses. These enhancements include: marketing and advertising support, temporary modifications to City codes relating to outdoor dining and signage, reopening assistance, and continued outreach to share vital businesses information. Below is a detailed description of each enhancement and how your Vista business may take advantage of them. As always, if you have any questions, please contact our Economic Development Department at 760-639-6165 or email EconDev@cityofvista.com
Marketing/Advertising Assitance
  • Free advertisement on VistaIsOpen.com and Vista Is Open social media pages
  • Free social distancing marketing collateral
  • Free small and safe events for increased foot traffic throughout Vista
  • Vista is Open loyalty program
  • Additional support for retail merchants during the holiday season
Now - May 2021

Contact:
Humble Pie Communications
Bill Hornung
help@vistaisopen.com
Stand Up Business Support & Workshops
June 30, 2020
10am-11am
TOPIC 1: Re-Opening Guidelines and Employee Supports
  • Review Physical Distancing and Sanitation Guidelines for Safely Opening Business
  • Indicators to Re-Opening and Providing Resources for Employees

TOPIC 2: California Financial Resources and Tax and Fee Supports
  • Business Tax Relief, Assistance and Extensions
  • Small Business Finance Center, Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program
2pm-3pm
TOPIC: Adapting to New COVID-19 Business Environmen t
  • Re-framing Business Practices to Meet COVID Realities
  • 1:1 Business Advising During COVID and Beyond
  • Pivoting During the Pandemic
  • How Businesses are Rethinking Their HR Policies in Light of COVID
RSVP to: sidv@strategies360.com
Outdoor Dining/Seating
& Additional Signage  
  • Businesses can submit a no fee application to allow for outdoor dining and seating at their establishments. 
  • Businesses are permitted to hang banners not to exceed one per property or tenant space, not to exceed to 100 SF in size.
  • Portable/ A-Frame signs can be displayed but not to exceed one per property or tenant space, limited to two sides not to exceed 6 SF per side. May not impede pedestrian access.
  • Window Signs may cover up to 100% of window area, subject to any other applicable merchandise advertising limitations.
  • Directional Signs are allowed up to 4 new directional signs per property, not to exceed 4 SF per sign.
Now –
End of Emergency Declaration

Contact:
City of Vista

Community Development
(760)639-6100

Economic Development
(760)639-6165
EconDev@cityofvista.com
Additional Information & Resources
  • For additional online business information and resources please visit City Economic Development website.
Ongoing

Contact:
City of Vista
If you have feedback or questions, please send an email to EconDev@CityofVista.com.