About OBMA

MISSION STATEMENT

To find a unique balance of economic development, within a neighborhood setting and through special events, to contribute to the health, welfare, and pride of our coastal community!

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA) is comprised of area merchants and professionals dedicated to building a thriving business district that fulfills the needs of the neighboring community and visitors alike. The OBMA is a 501(c)6 private nonprofit business organization operating with 14 elected Board Members, committed to preserving a healthy active atmosphere for those who work, live and visit Ocean Beach.

Originally formed in 1978 as the Ocean Beach Merchant's Association, in June of 1998 the OBMA received national and state designation into the "Main Street" program and thus changed its name. The program is grounded in preservation and divides its scope of work within 4 areas: Organization, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, and Design.

Throughout the years we have accomplished this through providing an active voice for area merchants in government agencies, offering merchant assistance with storefront improvement projects, utilizing public funding for special events which draw thousands of visitors to the business district, and most recently through the creation of our website which offers merchant advertising, a business directory and community event listings.

The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association is the management organization for the O.B. Business Improvement District and the Newport Ave. Landscape Maintenance District.

WHAT IS A BID?

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a type of assessment district in which business owners in a specific geographical area are assessed a fee, which is collected on their behalf by the City, for use in promoting and improving the business area. There are 200 BIDs in the State of California and the City of San Diego has the largest BID program. In San Diego, the fees generally range from $40 to $500 per business each year. These fees help to fund BID board-approved business-related activities and improvements that will benefit the businesses. The benefits of being a part of a BID are numerous. A BID provides a business area with the resources to develop marketing campaigns, increase awareness and lobbying efforts, secure additional funding and enhance public improvement and beautification projects in partnership with the City.

What is the Newport Avenue Maintenance Assessment District? (MAD)    

The Newport Avenue Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) is an assessment district in which property owners in a specific geographical area are assessed a per linear foot fee which is collected by the City reimbursed to the OBMA to pay for maintenance contracts for sidewalk cleaning, trash, gardening and repairs to the public right of way along Newport Avenue. 

The reason that the MAD district only includes Newport Avenue is because only the property owners along Newport Avenue agreed to be assessed for the betterment of the community.  By law, the benefit goes to those who pay for the maintenance, however everyone benefits from the clean up efforts within the District.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WANT TO JOIN THE OBMA?

A. Associate Members are those Ocean Beach businesses that are not located in the BID boundaries. Your business can apply to be an Associate Member. Here are the rules for Associate Members:

    Have a business located in 92107 OR
    Live in Ocean Beach and operate a business (not located in Ocean Beach) that does 50% of  their business in Ocean Beach OR
    Have a business in 92110 or 92106 with at least 50% of their business focused on serving Ocean Beach. (subject to approval)

B. Associate Member Fee - $75 per year.
 
C. FREE Associate Membership Benefits:

    Voting membership on all OBMA issues except those relating to BID funding.
    Free listings in OB Local Directory (23,000 copies distributed)
    Free listing in our business directory on our website OceanBeachSanDiego.com
    Free link to your website from our web directory
    Free 100 word member business announcements in newsletter and on website
    Free and/or discounted Local Promotions and Public Relations Campaigns
    Free monthly Newsletters
    Free networking opportunities at quarterly Merchant Mixers
    Representationbwith governmental agencies
    Façade Rebate Program Assistance
    Assistance with Public Right of Way Program
    Assistance with Enforcement Issues (Signage, Code Compliance and Safety)
    SCORE seminars
    Business Assistance Office staffed five days per week.

 
D. Low Cost Additional Membership Benefits:

    “Member only” advertising on our Web site
    “Member only” advertising in the printed OB Local Business Directory
    Priority booth space at weekly OB Farmers Market
    Priority booth space at OB Street Fair at a 20% discount

• Click Here to first pay your membership dues. You will then be prompted to enter your information.
• Or, click on the PDF below to download it, fill it out and either mail it to our office or drop it by.