Business Chief US+CAN Magazine December 2018 | Page 70

EDUCATIONAL AND CORPORATE DOMINANCE
CITY FOCUS | SAN DIEGO
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EDUCATIONAL AND CORPORATE DOMINANCE
Not content with increasing numbers visiting its tourist attractions , San Diego has also transformed into a hotbed of innovation for businesses . Its international reputation is not to be underestimated , where the University of San Diego , San Diego State University and the University of Southern California ( USC ) have all grown in status and demand . USC has also become one of the city ’ s largest employers .
Located close to Gaslamp Quarter and situated 10 minutes from San Diego Airport , non-profit corporation The San Diego Convention Center has become a key lynchpin , contributing over $ 22bn in regional impact since its inception in 1989 .
Receiving the largest loan approved by the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank totalling $ 25.5mn , the center held 149 events in 2017 , where up to 898,913 visitors were in attendance , creating a regional impact of $ 1.1bn . Conventions continue to bolster the city ’ s economy , where San Diego ’ s Comic- Con event , for example , created the most financial impact for a singular occasion in 2017 . Making a regional impact totalling $ 143.1mn , hotel and sales tax revenue also reached a staggering $ 3.14mn which goes into the city ’ s general fund .
DECEMBER 2018