Test Your Internet Speed

The City is looking for residents to help test internet speeds. Our goal is to understand where the digital divide exists in our community and who is impacted locally.

To test your internet speed, visit

https://broadband.escondido.org/.

 

After you take the test and complete the survey (optional) head over to https://getinternet.gov/ to apply for the Affordability Connectivity Program. You may qualify for a service discount up to $30/month, a service discount up to $75/month on qualifying Tribal lands, or a device discount up to $100 for a qualifying device.

Save The Date Escondido Grape Day Festival and 5k

One of Escondido's oldest events, the Grape Day Festival, returns on Saturday, September 9, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The festival will take place in Grape Day Park and will have fun activities for the whole family. Learn more at www.grapedayfest.com

 

The Grape Day 5K starts at 8 a.m.The route includes Grand Avenue, Broadway, 7th, and 5th Avenue.Streets will be closed around 6 a.m. and re-open as soon as the last participants pass each area.All streets will be open before 10 a.m. Learn more at: www.grapeday5k.com

 

Stay up to Date!

Do you follow the City of Escondido on social media? To stay up to date with the latest happenings, events, emergency updates and more follow our official channels below:

Instagram: @CityofEscondido

Facebook: facebook.com/cityofescondido

X/Twitter: @CityofEscondido

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

1089

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

 

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES:

 

Escondido Business News

City mulls regulating short-term rentals Escondido Times Advocate

Escondido Adult School launches new Student Ambassador Program San Diego County Office of Education

Escondido's Mello-Roos district tax rates remain unchanged, for now The Coast News

Surfing Madonna Art And Poetry Exhibition accepting submissions Escondido-Times Advocate

Subscribe to our Business News and Insights Email Newsletter!

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Resources

Are You Looking for Assistance with Your Small Business?

Discover the range of San Diego and Imperial Valley SBDC services provided to assist you in starting, growing, and succeeding with your small business. Services offered span topics including accounting, marketing, human resources, technology security, manufacturing, distribution, and finance.

Request for Assistance from SBDC Follow the link to request assistance from the San Diego SBDC Network. You will be contacted within the next 1-2 business days.

Free upcoming Live Webinars

Marketing Power Hour (English/EspaNol) 8/21 from 5 -6 p.m.

Business Plans That Get Results 8/22 from 10 a.m. -noon

Redefine Your Marketing Plan 8/22 from 3 -4 p.m.

HR Power Hour 8/23 from 1 -2 p.m.

How to Find Business Using Linkedin 8/24 from 9 -11 a.m.

POS Systems and Credit Card Processing 8/24 from noon -1 p.m.

Meet the Lenders: Connecting with Capital 8/25 from 9 -10 a.m.

The Business Credit: Where to Start & How to Manage Your Success in Business 8/25 from 9 -11 a.m.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Review

On June 7, 2023 the Escondido City Council approved the 2023-2028 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This document outlines data and community feedback about the City's economy and outlines a five-year plan to improve the local economy.

Let's dive into the first section of the CEDS which takes a deep look at the City's Economic Data:

Like its peers, Escondido has seen residents earnings grow since 2017. In general, mean earnings are higher across the board compared to median earnings, implying a skew towards higher incomes in the distribution. Escondido is closer to the bottom of the distribution among its peers when measured by median earnings, while it is relatively in the middle of the income distribution when measured by means. Median earnings in Escondido rose steadily from around $38,500 in 2017 to more than $46,000 in 2021, while mean earnings rose from around $51,500 to $61,000 in the same period.

Escondido and most of its neighbors have seen notable declines over the past decade in residents living below the poverty line, with Escondido seeing some of the best improvement in the group. The measure of poverty is a cost-of-living-adjusted figure that sets a certain income threshold for each household size. Households with earnings below that threshold are classified as experiencing poverty. The reduction in poverty in the region is caused partly by rising earnings at the lower end of the spectrum and partly by out-migration of those same people to more affordable areas. However, despite these improvements, Escondido, like many of its peers, still has higher rates of poverty than the national average (11.6%) in 2021. Of the group, only Temecula and Murrieta have seen levels of poverty consistently lower than the national average. Many of these California cities like Escondido suffer from high cost of living, which, even when accounted for in the calculation of poverty rate, still have a high degree of unaffordability. Programs targeted at reducing local poverty are still necessary to close the gap between Escondido, the country and the greater San Diego area.

City of Escondido Economic Development Contacts

Request a Meeting with Our Team

Thinking about starting a business? Already have a business and need additional support? Have a property and looking for tenants or starting improvements? Reach out and we can help you navigate City and community resources to achieve your goals.

The Economic Development Team are always available to help with questions or connecting you to the right resources. Do not hesitate to reach out!

Jennifer Schoeneck, Deputy Director of Economic Development (jschoeneck@escondido.org)

Vince McCaw, Real Property Manager (vmccaw@escondido.org)

Kristin Ugrob, Program Coordinator, Business Licenses (kugrob@escondido.org)

Pedro Cardenas, Management Analyst,Economic Development (pcardenas@escondido.org)

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

PAL Basketball

This past weekend was our 12^th Annual Kids vs. Cops PAL basketball game. It was an exciting game with a PAL alumnus serving as emcee. He kept everyone entertained throughout the afternoon, commenting on the game and doing impromptu interviews with players and fans. The game was tight throughout and especially in the last quarter. It ended in the officers winning 57 to 54.This makes the series tied at 6 wins for the officers and 6 wins for the kids. Next year is promising to be quite the match. As always, everyone in attendance and everyone who played were amazing sports. The raffles and concession were all a big hit and PAL made over $6000 in donations. The SWAT team brought some show and tell, and there was a great K-9 demo at halftime. We can't thank enough the Cadets, PD volunteers and the great FSU unit who always work hard to make this all come together. It was standing room only in the gym. The money raised will put approximately 90 kids on the basketball court.

Person in Crisis

This past week, one of our PERT officers, along with their clinician, responded to a request from the crisis hotline to check the welfare of an Escondido resident. The person was becoming increasingly agitated after officers arrived. The officers did a great job coordinating additional units to the apartment and had medics close by in the event that they were needed. Once officers attempted to detain to the man to be safely transported to the hospital for help, he immediately became combative and violently resisted. He was eventually safely detained and medics took him to Palomar Medical Center for a mental health evaluation. Despite his violent actions, no one was seriously injured because of the great coordination between officers and the help of our fire department team.

 

 

Community Resources

Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)

Crime Data/Mapping: https://www.crimemapping.com/

Helicopter Announcement Transcription:

Call 858-866-4356 or text "Hello"to 858-866-4356

Megan's Law Information: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:

Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240

It's Up to Us Campaign: www.Up2sd.org

Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211

National Drug Helpline: https://drughelpline.org/contact/ or call 844-289-0879

Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722

 

 

 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

On August 7, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received reports of a multi-residential structure fire located at 2121 E Grand Av, #79. Units responding noticed smoke showing in the distance and requested a working fire upgrade for additional resources. The first arriving engine reported a well-involved, working structure fire with heavy smoke and flames coming from the patio side of a two-story, townhome residence. Aggressive action by the firefighters contained and controlled the fire in approximately 21 minutes from time of dispatch. There was exposure to several of the adjoining townhouses, resulting in additional damage. Crews spent several hours overhauling the properties to ensure complete extinguishment.

 

In all, 26 firefighters and one fire prevention specialist responded to the fire. EPD conducted traffic control and crowd safety, and SDGE was dispatched to address utilities. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

On August 8, Congressman Scott Peters, along with District Director Jason Bercovitch, paid a visit to Police & Fire Headquarters and Fire Station 1. Fire crews shared current event information, along with issues affecting our communities. It was a pleasure for crews to spend time with the Congressman and share a better understanding of the relationship our department has with the community.

 

 

Also on August 8, the San Diego Fire Department reached out and requested assistance for a major injury vehicle accident on San Pasqual Valley Rd, near the Safari Park. Fire Station 4 Engine, Station 1 Truck and Station 7 Rescue Ambulance were dispatched to the incident. Escondido Fire crews assisted using hydraulic tools to perform a complicated vehicle rescue. Patients were then transported to Palomar Medical Center by Escondido and other local rescue ambulance teams.

 

 

On Wednesday, August 9, Escondido Fire Chief, John Tenger, presented recently promoted Jon Schmeiser and Corbin Smith with their new badges. The promotion of Captain Schmeiser and Engineer C. Smith were well earned, and we are fortunate to have such wonderful aspiring leaders in our organization.

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 69 applicants, processed 111 applications, and issued 58 permits.

The total permit valuation for the week was $645,057.00

Building inspectors completed 204 inspections.

 

Field Engineering Division:

 

Field Engineering processed 20 permits

Field Engineering inspectors completed 33 inspections

Field Engineering has 250 active permits

 

Development and Capital Projects Update:

Curious what's happening with development projects around the City? The link below directs to an interactive dashboard of projects currently in various stages of the development process. Browse project descriptions, see locations on the map, browse photos and more.

City of Escondido Project Dashboard

 

 

To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.