Business Highlight
March 3, 2026
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
Kriss Casanova, Economic Development Manager
Chris Kennedy, Economic Development Project Manager
How to Help Small Businesses Grow in 2026
*2025 OCIE SBDC Survey (1,200+ responses) identified key small business challenges across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties and informs targeted support efforts.
Supporting Business Retention & Growth
Responds to local business challenges:
Customer acquisition
Digital visibility in an increasingly online marketplace Helps brick-and-mortar businesses:
Compete more effectively online
Drive foot traffic and increase sales
Strengthen long-term sustainability
Advances the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan:
Business retention
Small business support
Stronger commercial corridors
Targeted, measurable investment supporting:
Long-term business retention
Local sales tax generation
Program Overview
Partnership with OCIE SBDC
Three-week digital marketing program for 15 Huntington Beach brick-and-mortar businesses Combines:
Group training sessions
One-on-one SBDC advising
Hands-on instruction in Google and social media marketing Development of a customized paid digital advertising campaign $1,000 grant per participant to implement the campaign
Total City investment $15,000
Funded through existing Economic Development budget
Designed to increase online visibility, customer engagement, and structured growth
Program Components
Two virtual group training sessions
One-on-one consulting with SBDC advisors
Final in-person session to review strategy and implementation Curriculum: “Creating a Digital Presence,” including:
Optimizing Google Business profiles
Leveraging Facebook & Instagram
Launching paid advertising campaigns
Measuring performance with analytics
Eligibility & Selection
Huntington Beach brick-and-mortar business
Active City business license in good standing
2–25 full-time equivalent employees (including owner) focused on small growth-oriented businesses Applications reviewed for eligibility and completeness
Lottery selection if demand exceeds available funding
Recommendation
Approve the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program Authorize the City Manager to execute up to 15 grant agreements Direct staff to administer and implement the program
Questions?