Chamber Connection- May 2024

CHAMBER CONNECTION

BUILDING TOMORROW: TRANSFORMATIVE HOUSING INITIATIVES IN THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY

Housing is a serious regional/state issue, and our area has felt the need for increased housing for some time. Santa Maria anticipates substantial increase in residents over the next 30 years. Vandenberg Space Force Base is expected to grow as well, and with SpaceX’s increase in launches, the need for housing has increased to support that growth.

Fortunately, our local government and development community have taken measures to address this shortage and the need for housing. There is reason for optimism on many fronts.

The approval of the Dana Reserve project in Nipomo creates an unprecedented number of affordable units and a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers with a priority for locals. In total, the project will provide 1,470 homes. Up to 30% of the project is forecasted to serve those in need of very low income, low income and moderate-income ranges. An additional 40% of the project will include homes for those in workforce or missing middle housing categories. This development includes funding and construction for comprehensive

SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Chairman: Paul Cook, CoastHills Credit Union

Chairman-Elect: Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Company

Vice Chairman: Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA

Vice Chairman: Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc.

Past Chairman: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals

Board Members

Sue Andersen, Marian Regional Medical Center

Michael Boyer, Pismo Beach Homes

Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business

Solutions Powered by Digital West

Donna Denham, Santa Maria Country Club

Kelsi Fitzgerald, Veritas Innovative Pest & Termite Solutions

Karen Fothergill, Andre, Morris & Buttery

Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District

Gina Gluyas, Realtor, Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate Haven Properties

David Leroy, Toyota Of Santa Maria

David Merlo, Glenn Burdette

Tere Paredes, Maya Restaurant

Joshua Sahagun, Luttrell Staffing Group

Ryan Swack, Best Western Big America

Laurie Tamura, Urban Planning Concepts

Kevin G. Walthers, Allan Hancock College

Interested in Chamber volunteer leadership opportunities?

Contact Molly Schiff, Director of Advocacy & Initiatives, at molly@santamaria.com to learn more about open positions on our committees.

CONTINUED - BUILDING TOMORROW: TRANSFORMATIVE HOUSING INITIATIVES IN THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY

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infrastructure, including commercial spaces, water and sewer, and circulation improvements. By providing a range of housing options, the Dana Reserve not only addresses immediate needs but also creates a pathway for residents to climb the housing ladder, embodying a forward-thinking solution to the housing crisis.

The City of Santa Maria has been working on a downtown revitalization project which will produce nearly 1,000 modern housing units downtown. This project will activate the downtown using a mixed-use method, bringing people together in gathering spaces and entertainment to the area. This supports local businesses and the mall, while providing a new sense of desired belonging to the downtown.

The Blosser Ranch project is in several stages of the approval process with over 1,300 units for rent to be developed on the east side of town, providing support to those who need homes but are not able to purchase. Along with this project, a new fire station and a 19-acre sports park is included. The Betteravia Plaza project, also on the east side of town will bring in over 400 units, with a mix of apartments, townhomes and commercial services.

In addition, there are many other smaller housing projects within the city working toward the demand needs.

The Santa Barbara County Supervisors have worked hard to address zoning to allow for more housing throughout the county. They recently approved zone changes to

allow for housing and denser housing in identified areas throughout the county, which will provide developers the opportunity to develop in these areas adding more housing.

There is also the Solomon Hills project currently going through the county’s entitlement process - it is a bold, aspirational proposal to create attainable homes through a new, carbon-neutral community.

The area known as Solomon Hills, just south of the Orcutt Hills ridgeline and west of Highway 101, presents a significant opportunity to address local housing needs without using prime agricultural land. The proposal will bring a variety of up to 4,000 homes, with 70% being attainable for working families and first-time buyers. The community’s design focuses on connectedness - walkable neighborhoods surrounding a village center; a work campus for a large employer, local businesses and remote workers supporting up to 2,000 jobs; essential retail, a new school, parks and playing fields, walking paths, hike and bike trails, and open space.

The housing needs in the Santa Maria Valley are real, but the development community along with our municipalities are moving forward, being creative and actively developing projects to address our needs.

On April 5, 2024, the Leadership Santa Maria Valley class had the opportunity to learn about various and vital systems and efforts around the topic of Sustainability and Natural Resources in Santa Maria.

Starting with a tour of the Santa Maria Wastewater Treatment Plant, led by Water Resources Manager, Alexandra Griffith, the group learned about the city’s water distribution system, sewer system, and wastewater treatment. With an annual operating budget of $52M, this division supports over 20,000 residential and business customers in Santa Maria with a blend of local groundwater and imported State water, supporting a thriving community.

In a natural flow, mirroring the treatment process, we continued our day at Engel & Gray, Inc., the 40-acre regional compost facility, adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant. In a tour led by Bob Engel, Engel & Gray President, we learned that the treatment plant’s recycled solids and organic material diverted from landfills are combined with soil to produce quality Harvest Blend Compost, uniquely identified by the grape seeds you will find mixed in thanks to the inclusion of organic matter from local wineries.

LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY CLASS OF 2024 LEARNS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY & NATURAL RESOURCES IN SANTA MARIA

The group followed up the outdoor tours with a couple of presentations. First, Jessa Brooks, Vice President of Philanthropy at Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation, gave a useful leadership presentation on how to use public relations skills to connect with the community.

Then, the group heard from Meredith Hendricks, Executive Director of The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County about the important work of the Land Trust with landowners, public and private agencies, and community organizations in protecting, restoring, and managing open space, wildlife habitat and agricultural in the County. Local Land Trust managed preserves provide community residents with access to open space and trails and support local endangered species.

Finally, Ramon Elias, Vice President of Technology and Co-Founder of Pacific AgriTec, gave a fascinating presentation on the company’s innovative answer to decarbonizing energy from manufacturing and industry with a plant right outside Santa Maria in the Solomon Hills. The group learned about how the proprietary Pacific AgriTec process uses optimal amounts of CO₂, light, and nutrients to make high-grade marketable algae.

The group then headed to Presqu’ile Winery for one last tour. Andrew Heilbrun, Vineyard Manager, shared about Presqu’ile’s sustainability practices in the vineyard including an overview of their Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certification. The group learned that SIP Certification addresses the 3 P’s of Sustainability – people, planet, prosperity – ensuring that both natural and human resources are protected.

Overall, the Sustainability and Natural Resources topic day highlighted the various resources, systems and innovations taking place right in our own little part of the world that are having an impact today and for the future.

A special thanks to our sponsors Engel & Gray and Celest Coelho-Hudson, to our topic day advisors Lee-Volker Cox, Celeste Coelho-Hudson, and JD Scroggin, and to all of our presenters!

CHAMBER IN ACTION

Here’s a look at what our Chamber & our member businesses have been up to this past month. 1 3 2 4 5 6

1. Chamber President & CEO Glenn Morris was recognized for his community leadership/involvement from the offices of Senator Monique Limon and Assemblymember Gregg Hart.

2. The Chamber hosted a Housing Summit to foster dialogue, share insights and inform the community around the challenges and needs for housing in the Santa Maria Valley at Allan Hancock College.

3. After having served the Santa Maria Valley for nearly ten years as President & CEO, Morris recently accepted a position as CEO at the Western Association of Chamber Executives. The Chamber threw a “surprise” goodbye party for Glenn at Naughty Oak Brewing Company... with a few familiar faces! We will all miss you, Glenn!

4. Molly Schiff, Director of Advocacy & Initiatives for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, accepted the CalChamber

President’s Circle award on behalf of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber during the CalChamber Capitol Summit in Sacramento. She was joined by CalChamber President Jennifer Barrera (right) and CalChamber Board Chair Janet A. Liang (left).

5. Every year, the Chamber hosts an annual dinner in recognition of the local strawberry industry. A special thank you to all those involved in strawberry production, from farm to table!

6. Cara Martinez, Membership Manager, recognizes some of our newest Chamber Members who joined in the months of March & April during our May mixer. They were also presented with a proud member plaque. A huge thank you to Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse and Montecito Bank & Trust for hosting a great mixer!

KEEP UP WITH OUR OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Take a look at some of our other recent Chamber publications including our new Local Business Spotlight and editorials.

The “Local Business Spotlight” series is an on-going collaboration between the Santa Maria Valley Chamber and the Santa Maria Times with the goal of showcasing great local businesses.

Check out our most recent Local Business Spotlight on Pacifica Commercial Realty to learn more!

Scan to watch most recent Local Business Spotlight.

Pictured: Owner Jerry Schmidt sat down with us to share his appreciation for the Central Coast and his business future plans of expansion for our Local Business Spotlight series with the Santa Maria Times.

CHAMBER AMBASSADORS OF RECENT QUARTERS

Our Chamber Ambassador Committee actively promotes the Santa Maria Valley Chamber to the business community by connecting members with others in the community who can help them build and grow their business while also attending Chamber meetings and events to support the Chamber and our members.

Each quarter, we recognize an Ambassador who has gone above and beyond their volunteered commitment and responsibilities. Here’s our two most recently recognized Ambassadors!

Both plaques are presented by Chief Ambassador Paula Fuller of American Self Storage.

2024

THANK YOU TO OUR AMBASSADORS!

We are grateful for the volunteered service our Ambassadors do on behalf of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber!

Noemi Robles with Northern Santa Barbara County United Way Q-1,

Emma Cavazos with Guaranteed Rate Q-4, 2023

GROWING MEMBERSHIP: CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

As champions for a stronger Santa Maria Valley, the Chamber is excited to welcome more businesses to our growing organization. Please join us in welcoming the following new Chamber members, who joined in the month of March 2024!

Chairman: Maya @ The Collective (Opening Soon!) (805) 268-4644 www.mayamexicankitchen.com

Investor: Gold Star Event Center (Opening Soon!) (805) 478-6642

Investor:

Mariscos La Coqueta (805) 739-1124

www.facebook.com/LaCoquetaNightClub/

Taqueria La Coqueta (805) 925-4620

https://lacoquetataqueria.com/

Member:

805 Investigations (805) 835-7447

www.nvestig805.com

Golden State Nonprofit Solutions (760) 917-9056

www.goldenstatenonprofitsolutions.com

Maria Elena Lopez of Valley Hills Realty (805) 720-8090

https://mariaelenalopezvhs.my.canva.site/ realestateagent

Member: MONA Payment Solutions (805) 418-7595

https://monasolutions.com/

Pismo Beach Homes (805) 471-7954

www.pismohomes.com

Join the Chamber today by contacting Membership Manager, Cara Martinez at (805) 925-2403 ext. 852 or email cara@santamaria.com.

QUARTERLY FEATURED BUSINESSES

Each quarter, the Chamber in partnership with the City of Santa Maria recognizes deserving businesses through the “Business of the Quarter” Program. We are excited to announce the recent recipients for April-June!

ARROW PLUMBING DRAIN AND REPAIR SERVICES

TROJAN PETROLEUM, INC.

CELEBRATING LOCAL BUSINESS: CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTINGS

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF THESE MEMBERS!

If you know a business in the City of Santa Maria who deserves recognition, email patricia@santamaria.com to nominate them for this program. Scan to read the full press release.

These Chamber member businesses recently celebrated joining the Chamber or a major business milestone with a ribbon cutting. Join us in congratulating them!

Dewlson Family Farm

2690 Morning Hill Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93454 (805) 208-4760 www.dewlsonfamilyfarm.com

Woodin You Like to Party

Santa Maria, CA (805) 868-1858 www.woodinyouliketoparty.com

Northern Santa Barbara County United Way 2045 Preisker Lane Suite G Santa Maria, CA 93454 (805) 922-0329 www.unitedwaylife.org

Orcutt Ice Cream

Orcutt, CA (516) 297-3202 www.orcutticecreamkitchen.com

CHAMBER MEMBER TESTIMONIAL:

“As a longtime Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce member, we enjoy uniting with other businesses and being involved in our community. We have established valuable connections and revel in all the memories. We look forward to making more.”

-Wendi Patterson

Director

of Marketing & Brand Development, United Staffing Associates, LLC

Pictured: Owner Kaniela Keuma and wife/office manager Jessica Keuma.

Pictured: President Kathleen Brodie and Secretary Larry Schubert.

Kitchen