OC Streetcar's First Train Arrives In Santa Ana
The very first OC Streetcar vehicle arrived earlier this month, bringing us closer to a sleek, modern transit line that will connect Santa Ana to Garden Grove. This new streetcar system, the first of its kind in Orange County, is electric, quiet, and designed to move over 200 passengers at a time. Service is set to begin in 2026 and will run through downtown with 10 stops, improving access to key areas like the Civic Center and 4th Street. This project aims to boost foot traffic, support local businesses, and make exploring Santa Ana easier than ever. Stay tuned as testing kicks off this summer!
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We Celebrated Our Small Businesses!
National Small Business Week, May 4-10, was a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the incredible local shops, restaurants, and entrepreneurs that make Santa Ana special.
Throughout the week, we visited different Santa Ana small businesses and shared their stories through daily Instagram Reels highlighting the passion, creativity, and resilience behind each storefront. From hidden gems to longtime favorites, it was inspiring to see the heart of our community in action.
Missed it? You can still catch all the featured stories on our Instagram. And if you’re curious about the big impact small businesses have, visit sba.gov.
Let’s keep the momentum going and continue supporting the businesses that power our local economy!
| | Croddy Way Project Update | | |
Croddy Way Street Improvement
The City of Santa Ana, in partnership with Mesa Water District, is launching the Croddy Way Street Improvement Project to enhance roadway safety and reliability between MacArthur Blvd and Chandler Ave.
Full street reconstruction and key infrastructure upgrades are planned, with an estimated construction schedule to begin in Winter 2025 and wrap up by Spring 2026.
Stay tuned for updates as design and scheduling move forward!
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Celebrating 50 Years of Little Saigon’s Resilience: From Refugee to Legacy
Join us for a free, commemorative event honoring the remarkable journey and enduring contributions of the Vietnamese American community. This special gathering will feature opportunities to connect with community leaders, access valuable business resources, and celebrate a powerful legacy.
📅 Thursday, June 5, 2025
📍 Great Wolf Lodge | 12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840
⏰ 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
🎫 Register here: vacoc.org/ls50
From humble beginnings to becoming a vibrant cultural and economic hub, Little Saigon stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, entrepreneurship, and unity. Come together with us to honor the past and inspire the future.
Presented in partnership with City of Santa Ana, City of Garden Grove, City of Westminster, and City of Fountain Valley.
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Investing in Santa Ana's Future
Earlier this month, our Economic Development team attended the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Annual Conference in Ontario, California. This premier event brought together economic development professionals from across the state to share innovative strategies and insights. Participating in sessions and networking opportunities allowed us to enhance our skills and bring back valuable knowledge to better support Santa Ana's business community and drive local growth.
While there, we were proud to receive CALED’s Award of Merit for Programs and Promotions, in collaboration with Travel Santa Ana, recognizing our efforts to elevate Santa Ana as a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.
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Beale's Texas BBQ
📍 100 S. Main St.
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Marco's Pizza
📍 100 N. Harbor Blvd.
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Kabo Kitchen
📍 1724 W. 17th St.
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Los Grandes Originales
📍 3522 W. 1st St.
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An Noodles and Pho
📍 3520 W. 1st St.
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Business Start-Up Workshop
The City of Santa Ana’s Economic Development Division will host the Business Start-Up Workshop at Santa Ana City Hall on the second Wednesday of each month. The next workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM in Room 1600.
This workshop is beneficial to anyone interested in starting a new business or expanding an existing one in Santa Ana. You’ll learn about the resources available to help entrepreneurs and have the opportunity to get your questions answered by city staff as you begin your business journey. The workshop will be offered in English and Spanish.
For more information, please call the Business Hotline at
(714) 647-5477 or email at econdev@santa-ana.org.
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Step-By-Step Guide
If you are unable to attend our monthly business start-up workshop, we have a detailed step-by-step guide to starting your business.
Starting a business in Santa Ana is an exciting opportunity and the City is here to help you succeed. Whether you're opening a restaurant, retail shop, beauty salon, fitness studio, food truck, or launching a home-based service, Santa Ana offers a clear, step-by-step guide to get you up and running.
From choosing the right location and verifying zoning to registering your business name and obtaining the necessary licenses, this process is designed to be approachable and efficient.
Let’s walk through the essential steps to bring your business vision to life in Santa Ana.
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Free Business Assistance
Our Economic Development team is here to help our local business community. Whether you’re just starting a business, need help with a marketing plan, or have questions about growing your business, our experts are ready to provide guidance.
Stop by Santa Ana City Hall for Business Assistance Office Hours from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. This free service is your opportunity to get personalized advice and take the next step toward building your dream business.
Call the Economic Development Division at (714) 647-5477 for more information.
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Free Comedy and Improv Classes
Looking to sharpen your wit and have some fun? Orange County Crazies is offering free improv classes for Santa Ana residents of all ages at the De Pietro Performance Center!
Whether you're a total beginner or just curious, this 60-minute class is packed with interactive games and comedy basics to get you thinking on your feet.
🎭 Open to beginners
🎭 Fun, hands-on activities
🎭 Learn the core rules of improv
🎭 Free for Santa Ana residents
Come for the laughs, leave with new skills and confidence!
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Help Shape Santa Ana's Future
Join the city's Planning Division for the final workshop in a series dedicated to updating rules for new development, the Zoning Code!
This is your chance to get involved, learn, and provide input about standards that will guide how neighborhoods and business districts grow and thrive. The last workshop of the series is on May 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the McFadden Institute of Technology located at 2701 S Raitt St, Santa Ana.
The workshop will cover proposed standards for: Parking, Open Space, Signage, and Residential Development.
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Apply to be an Exhibitor or Food Vendor
The City of Santa Ana's annual Fourth of July celebration will once again be taking place this year at Centennial Park, on Friday, July 4, 2025 from 5 - 9 p.m.
This free community event will include live music, food vendors, inflatables, and an amazing firework show.
To apply to be an exhibitor or food vendor at the event, click on the links below. Please note, filling out the inquiry form does not guarantee a spot at the event. Applications close on June 9, 2025 at 5pm. Follow @santaanaparks on Instagram for latest updates.
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Download the mySantaAna App
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the Santa Ana city government in the palm of your hand!
Business owners and residents with an iPhone or Android smartphone can download the mySantaAna application for free allowing them to quickly and easily report issues with photos to the City for clean-up.
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4th & Broadway: 302 W. 4th St.
Property Highlights:
- Approximately 9,189 SF of retail/restaurant space
- Located in Downtown Santa Ana
- Situated on the train path of future OC Streetcar
- Unique opportunity for locally sourced retailers and restauranteurs
| | To market your property for sale or lease, and to inquire about available sites in Santa Ana for your business, please contact the Economic Development Team at (714) 647-5477 or econdev@santa-ana.org | | |
The City of Santa Ana's team of Economic Development Specialists are here to assist you with tools and resources for your business.
For information about the City’s incentives, workforce training programs, site selection assistance, navigating City licenses and permits, and other services and programs, please visit our website.
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