Welcome to San Luis Obispo, California San Luis Obispo has an energetic, diverse and progressive business community that welcomes new business to the city.   Because of high development standards, growth limitations, and a tight retail and office rental space market, moving or opening a business here isn't always easy. But businesses willing to make the commitment to locate here are usually very glad they did.   There is help available to businesses that wish to be located here.   The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce can give you community and business information and help you understand the unique political and social climate of our city-- information you'll need to make a successful relocation. Chamber President/CEO David Garth would be pleased to meet with you to discuss your plans and make your entry into the city easier. Please contact Dave's assistant Brooke Azevedo for an appointment. 805-786-2760 or click here to send an email. The Chamber has an Economic Vision Document that outlines our economic strategy for the future. It could help you determine how your business fits the Chamber's long term economic goals. Download it here. (*These files require the Browser Plugin Acrobat Reader.) Get Acrobat Reader by clicking here. The City of San Luis Obispo's Economic Development Development Manager, Claire Clark, can help you with information about city planning and zoning regulations, development fees, and other city requirements, and can also help you find areas appropriate to your business activity. An early visit with Claire is an essential part of any decision to locate your business here. Claire can be reached at 805-781-7164 or by email at cclark@slocity.org. Also, check out the City's website, www.slocity.org.   The welcome mat is out. Now it's up to you find out if San Luis Obispo is right for you. Here's some information that should help.

Location
Incorporated on February 16, 1856, the City of San Luis Obispo is located 200 miles north of Los Angeles and 235 miles south of San Francisco. The city encompasses 10.7 square-miles at an elevation of 315 feet, with a location of 35N latitude and 120W longitude. San Luis Obispo County is 3,316 square miles in area.

SOURCE: SLO City Economic Development

Economic Growth and Trends
Both the City and County experienced steady growth through the 1970s and 1980s. In the '80s, the City's growth averaged about two percent. Growth controls and the California economy have limited growth to about 1 percent in the 1990s. Estimated growth in 2000 was two and one half percent. This is the highest growth rate of a decade, but is dramatically below the growth rates that prevailed in the 1980s.

Technology

Click here to find tech-related businesses in the area. 

2007 SLO Economic Profile 
Click here to view.
(*These files require the Browser Plugin Acrobat Reader) Get Acrobat Reader by clicking here 

County Census Data
County cities - 2005

Arroyo Grande 16,562*	Atascadero 27,691*	Avila Beach 385
Cambria 6,569	Cayucos 2,943	Grover Beach 12,976*
Los Osos/Baywood 14,351	Morro Bay 10,607*	Nipomo 16,090
Oceano 7,400	Outlying rural areas 110,047	Paso Robles 27,216*
Pismo Beach/Shell Beach 8,861*	San Luis Obispo 44,225*	San Miguel 1,427
San Simeon 250	Santa Margarita 1,275	Templeton 4,687

Additional Information
(*The links below will take you to another website. Please remember to hit your back button to return to this website when finished.)

CITY OFFICE LOCATIONS (MAPS)
Civic Center (which includes City Hall and the City/County Library), Police Station, Parking Offices, Parks & Recreation, Fire Stations, Corporation Yard Area

ECONOMIC VITALITY CORPORATION  
(EVC) is the provider of economic development services and resources for San Luis Obispo County and each of its cities that includes San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach.

LOCAL, COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESOURCES FOR STARTING A NEW BUSINESS

LOCAL ZONING MAPS

LIST OF AVAILABLE SITES IN SAN LUIS OBISPO; includes commercial, retail and  office space

PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL (PIC) EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
A training resource for local workers and healthy businesses which have workforce skill shortages.

CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO GENERAL INFORMATION
Promotes economic development that encourages the creation of a diverse, stable, high paying job market and seeks to preserve the quality of life in San Luis Obispo.