BUSINESSES WANTED

The city of La Mesa is determined to attract more businesses. Last December, the city hired a consulting firm to bring new businesses to Fletcher Parkway and the downtown village in an effort to boost sales-tax revenue, which is a significant part of all city budgets. The firm matches companies with cities based on the demographics, lifestyle choices and spending habits of their residents.
Besides this approach city officials will attend the the International Council of Shopping Centers conference next month in Las Vegas, where they expect to set up meetings with companies that may be a good match for the city.
The city, however, continues to look at other ways to generate revenue because, even though the city has been frugal, it has no control over inflation, the rising costs of materials or the state, which has in the past raided city coffers to balance its own budget.