Economic Development, a division of Community Development, performs strategies to help enhance revenues to the City, strengthens relations with the business community, and encourages vibrant commercial development in the City’s Lantern District and other commercial areas. Economic Development fosters a vibrant business climate by:

• Actively seeking opportunities to promote business development
• Promoting Dana Point as a business friendly City
• Encouraging businesses that complement the city and its needs
• Developing economic development programs to market the city and promote business attraction and retention
• Managing the City’s no cost Business Registration Program
• Working with local merchants to meet business needs and address concerns
• Coordination of community outreach during the Lantern District and Doheny Village development

As the City of Dana Point strives to be a business friendly city, there is no business licensing program.  We do, however, encourage all Dana Point based businesses to participate in the voluntary business registration program.  However, if you are a new business that will be occupying a building, you will need to have a Certificate of Occupancy.

Economic Development staff also monitors the affordable housing programs (PDF) in the City and participates in a county-wide Cities Advisory Committee to gain insight on other local communities’ programs.

Visitors are an essential component to the City’s vibrant atmosphere as an upscale, resort community. The hospitality and tourism industry is a major employer within our City, as evidenced by over 1,800 hotel rooms and over 100 restaurants.

If you would like more information about Economic Development in Dana Point, please contact Kelly Reenders, Economic Development Manager, at (949) 248-3519 or kreenders@danapoint.org.