In the years since its incorporation, Duarte has developed from a primarily agricultural community into a flourishing urban area. Services, manufacturing and trades are among the leading industries in Duarte, which is home to such major employers as the City of Hope National Medical Center, Walmart, Target Stores, Santa Teresita Medical Center and numerous auto dealerships.
When you shop Duarte, you help our businesses and return sales tax dollars to the local economy, which enables the city to enhance services. Duarte has small shops and large, nationally-known stores. Did you know that in the day and age of online ordering, if you pick up your items at the store, the city receives the sales tax? Yet another reason to support our local stores.
Although Duarte remains a primarily residential community, the city’s proactive development efforts make it an ideal place to locate or expand a business. The city takes pride in the attractive and balanced commercial developments found throughout the community. In 2012, the City of Duarte received the prestigious “Most Business Friendly City” Award with a population of 60,000 and under in Los Angeles County by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. In 2018, they were one of five finalists with a population under 50,000 for the same award.
Duarte is also a special place for small, ambitious companies. The reasons are clear: a location central to the entire Southern California basin, reasonable costs, a skilled labor pool, and business-friendly local government.
San Gabriel Valley’s Business Advantages
- Large market
- Large, well-trained workforce
- Excellent access to national and international markets
- Large, well-established international trade support infrastructure
- Diversified economic base
- Opportunities for higher education
- More universities and colleges than any other Los Angeles County area
- Leading tourist destination
- Available modes of transportation
- Competitive cost structure
- Weather and geography