Economic Development update - June 2025

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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In the News

Sprouts Farmers Market Is Coming to Santa Ana

Exciting news for Santa Ana! Sprouts Farmers Market is opening a new location at 2311 S. Bristol St. in Bristol Warner Village, formerly the 99 Cents Only Store, bringing fresh, natural, and organic groceries to the heart of our community. Known for their healthy living focus and affordable options, Sprouts will provide a wide range of fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins, and responsibly sourced meats.

This new location is not only a great win for local shoppers, but also a major boost for the local economy with the creation of jobs, increase of foot traffic, and anchoring further revitalization of the area. The store is expected to open in early 2026, marking a significant step forward in enhancing food access and retail diversity in Santa Ana.

Stay tuned for job openings and updates as we welcome Sprouts to our growing city!

Business Spotlights

Zapatería De León

Over 35 years ago, Marco and Cecilia Acosta opened Zapateria De Leon at Santa Ana Plaza to provide for their growing family, while sharing their passion for quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service with the community. Today, Zapateria De Leon stands as a local staple offering a curated selection of luxury, work boots, tejanas, exotic skin boots, western wear, handmade leather bags and belts. All of their items combine style, tradition, and functionality.

In addition to the store front, they also offer expert leather repair services ensuring your favorite pieces last for years to come. Whether you’re seeking the perfect pair of cowboy boots or a custom leather purse, Zapateria De Leon invites you to experience authentic craftmanship, genuine hospitality, and the pride of a business rooted in family values and heritage.

Social Media

The Sanctuary Studio for the Arts & Humanities

The Sanctuary Studio for the Arts & Humanities is a creative studio, teaching space, and concert venue founded by Australian musician and poet Simon Drew, located on the second floor of the historic Pacific Building in Downtown Santa Ana’s Artists Village. Since opening in November 2024, The Sanctuary Studio has made a meaningful impact on Santa Ana’s cultural life by offering programs and events that invite deep engagement with the arts and humanities, not merely as

entertainment, but as pathways to self-understanding and human connection.

Over 40 students now take private lessons in voice, trumpet, trombone, piano, drums, and lower brass. The weekly concert series draws attendees from all over OC and LA with performances spanning classical, jazz, folk, world music, and more, featuring some of Southern California’s best musicians. Simon also hosts a community-based brass band, the Brasshoppers, and has partnered with local institutions, including Santa Ana’s First Saturday Art Walk, presenting free public events each month.

Simon chose Santa Ana because of its vibrant arts scene, rich architecture, mural-lined alleyways, and community of working artists.

Social Media

Fiesta Parking Structure Update

Downtown Revitalization

The City of Santa Ana continues to champion local business and innovation in Downtown Santa Ana through strategic improvements that support long-term growth. In partnership with ABM Parking Services, the City recently relocated parking equipment to enhance traffic flow and make space for a new skatepark, a collaborative public-private project designed to attract more visitors and boost economic activity.

As part of these efforts, Spurgeon Street which was previously closed to through traffic for decades has now reopened for northbound travel toward 5th Street. New concrete, striping, signage, and safety measures have also been added to the Fiesta Parking Structure in preparation for the skatepark, which will be built in the alleyway between 4th Street and French Street, behind the Frida Theater.

We are excited about the improved access and revitalization of the area and encourage everyone to stay tuned for updates on the upcoming skatepark in Downtown Santa Ana.

Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce

Summer Bash

The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce’s Schmooza Palooza returns on July 22nd! This is a free event and a great opportunity for small business owners, start-ups, and

entrepreneurs to connect with the local community. Enjoy food, entertainment, and network with other businesses and professionals in a fun and relaxed setting.

If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the event please click the link below and send form to Cheryl Watson at cwatson@santaanachamber.com

Sponsor/Exhibitor Form

Attendee Registration

Join the Santa Ana Chamber

The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce is your gateway to help your business grow! Think of the Santa Ana Chamber as your local business family, connecting

entrepreneurs, established companies, and game-changing professionals who are shaping Santa Ana’s future. Whether you’re launching your first startup or expanding your business, the

Santa Ana Chamber has the connections, resources, and community support to help you thrive in the vibrant and diverse Santa Ana business landscape.

5 Key Benefits of Santa Ana Chamber Membership:

Networking Opportunities – Access to monthly networking events, business mixers, and industry-specific gatherings that connect you with other local business leaders and potential partners.
Business Advocacy & Government Relations – We represent your business interests at local government levels, advocating for business-friendly policies and keeping you informed about regulations that affect your operations.
Marketing & Visibility – Enhanced business exposure through our member directory, website listings, social media promotion, newsletter features, and special event marketing opportunities.
Professional Development & Resources – Access to workshops, training sessions, and educational programs designed to help you grow your business skills and stay current with industry trends.
Cost-Saving Benefits & Member Discounts – Exclusive member-to-member discounts, group purchasing power for services like insurance, and special rates for chamber events and programs.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the membership application link below and send form to Cheryl Watson at cwatson@santaanachamber.com

Membership Application

New Businesses

La Milpa Cafe

📍 1909 W. Walnut

Sonder

📍 301 N. Spurgeon St.

Business Resources

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, July 9, 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.

Click here to register

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.

Download the guide here

Business Assistance Office Hours

We have updated our Business Assistance Office Hours to 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

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.

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.

SBDC & SCORE Business Training Events

SBDC Events

SCORE Events

The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC) and SCORE are both great resources for business owners and those who are interested in starting a business. Please click on the links above to view free upcoming in person and webinar training programs on marketing and more.

Arts & Culture

Empowering Youth Through Public Art

In a vibrant celebration of youth creativity and community collaboration, the City of Santa Ana proudly unveiled the culminating mural of Bridging the G.A.P: Graffiti Arts Program on May 19, 2025. In partnership with SAUSD, this five-part workshop series engaged students from Lorin Griset Academy and Cesar E. Chavez High School, two of the city’s at-promise schools, in hands-on mural arts training and professional development. This pilot program exemplifies how public art can inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of artists and community leaders.

Led by acclaimed muralist Alex Sanchez (Sincero), the program introduced students to public art techniques, project planning, and creative entrepreneurship. Held on the top floor of the city-owned parking structure at 420 N. Main Street, the mural unveiling was attended by students, families, school faculty, and community members. Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez addressed the audience, applauding the young artists’ contributions to Santa Ana’s cultural landscape.

Listen to the podcast Artful Pods of Wisdom: Filling in the GAP with Graffiti Art, created by educators and leaders of SAUSD, exploring the artistic journey of Alex Sanchez, the Lead Teaching Artist of the Graffiti Art Program (G.A.P.). It highlights how G.A.P. workshops have planted seeds of creativity and personal growth in students who may have been heading down the wrong path, offering them a new and inspiring direction.

Link to Podcast Episode

City Services

Informational Videos – Development Project Review Process

The City of Santa Ana’s Planning Division produced instruction videos about various planning topics and questions to better assist business owners and residents to understand common application processes and code requirements. Click on the button below to view additional video topics:

Harbor Mixed Use Transit Corridor
Home Occupation Permit (HOP)
Residential front yard fence
Complying with a Notice of Violation
and more

Learn more here

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.

Click here to Download