The Mile of Cars auto mall is the major industry that contributes to National City’s bottom line, drawing price-conscious car shoppers from around the county with the ability to comparison shop within a one-mile stretch.
Reynoso said people who live outside the city are exempt from the additional 1 percent district sales tax on exempted items, which can make a difference with big-ticket goods like cars.
With more than 3,000 small businesses, the city has the highest sales tax per capita in all of San Diego County.
The Chamber of Commerce and the city’s 12 hoteliers formed a district in 2012 to fund marketing efforts for the area with a 2.5 percent room tax. The idea is to convert some of the shoppers who come into the city into visitors who stay over, given its proximity to downtown San Diego and attractions.