Chamber Connection (January 2023)

THINGS THE CHAMBER DID IN 2022

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is here for business. We are a catalyst for business growth, convener of leaders and influencers, and a champion for a stronger Santa Maria Valley. We continue to work hard to serve our members, local businesses and the Santa Maria Valley community. Here’s an overview of what we’ve been up to this past year.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2022-2023

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN: SANDRA DICKERSON, YOUR PEOPLE PROFESSIONALS

CHAIRMAN-ELECT: PAUL COOK, COAST HILLS CREDIT UNION

VICE CHAIRMAN: SHANNON SEIFERT, SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA

VICE CHAIRMAN: LAURIE TAMURA, URBAN PLANNING CONCEPTS

PAST CHAIRMAN: DANNY DEVERAUX, CALPORTLAND

BOARD MEMBERS

SUE ANDERSEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MARIAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

DOMINICK BARRY, QUINTRON SYSTEMS, INC. MICHAEL BOYER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF MID CENTRAL COAST

RON COSSA, TOLMAN & WIKER INSURANCE

DONNA DENHAM, SANTA MARIA COUNTRY CLUB

KAREN FOTHERGILL, ANDRE, MORRIS & BUTTERY

GINA GLUYAS, REALTOR, BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE HAVEN PROPERTIES

EMILY KITTS, NAUGHTY OAK BREWING COMPANY

DAVID LEROY, TOYOTA OF SANTA MARIA DAVID MERLO, GLENN BURDETTE LUKE ONTIVEROS, SANTA MARIA BONITA SCHOOL DISTRICT

TERE PAREDES, MAYA RESTAURANT ERA POLLY, ERA POLLY REAL ESTATE MAX TUCKER, BEST WESTERN PLUS BIG AMERICA

KEVIN G. WALTHERS, PH.D., SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT, ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE TIM WILLIAMS, DIGITAL WEST

CATALYST

1. Highlighted Women Owned/Operated & Manufacturing businesses in Santa Maria City in the Business of the Month program, with recognition provided during monthly city council meetings.

2. Assisted 96 business with inquiries, permits, and successfully supported seven businesses in their launch or growth in 2022.

3. The Chamber invested in the future workforce by through programs including a new Teacher Tours program of local industries, a Paid Student Internship partnership with the SB County Education Office, online workshops for high school students, and convening local education leaders and VSFB representatives to talk about collaborating around STEM career training, etc.

4. Welcomed and on-boarded four new employees:

• David Hernandez, Hispanic Business Representative

• Yuliana Nelson, Strategic Initiatives Manager

• Paulina Leang, Marketing & Communications Coordinator

• Madison Grimnes, Administrative Assistant

5. We welcomed 120 businesses to the Chamber and celebrated many business openings and significant milestones with ribbon cuttings. Held 28 ribbon cuttings.

6. Played a leadership role in the City’s ongoing development efforts including support for projects like the Skyway Collective, Enos Ranch, and several housing or mixed used developments in downtown and other areas of the city.

7. Hosted a variety of workshops on topics ranging from How to Import Products from Mexico to Launching a Small Business.

CONVENER CHAMPION

8. Celebrated the return of the 2022 Restaurant Month promotion and Craft Cocktail Contest, with over 15 participating venues.

9. The Chamber’s Annual Business Expo returned in 2022 with over 70 businesses and over 400 attendees. Fellow business members and members of the community had a chance to engage with one another and re-connect/rebuild relationships.

10. Supported many local events, including BBQ Festival, Central Coast AirFest, SEEAg’s Farm Day, Model A Ford Show, and Day in the Park, etc.

11. The Chamber hosted six mixers--providing opportunities for the local business community to network and create new connections, including a Hispanic Business Mixer.

12. Coordinated 49 BYB (Build Your Business) breakfast meetings in 2022, and moved to a new more central Santa Maria venue, Roscoe’s Kitchen.

13. Convened business and community leaders for annual events including the State of Vandenberg, State of the City, State of Education, Annual Strawberry Dinner, and the 2022 Annual Awards Gala.

14. Launched the new Visitors Bureau Website along with a “Spice Campaign” digital advertising initiative.

15. Facilitated the 27th Leadership Santa Maria Valley Class, and launched the 2023 cohort. Leadership Santa Maria Valley has had over 330 people graduate from the program since it began in 1995.

16. Published 12 Local Business Spotlight Videos in partnership with the Santa Maria Times.

17. Hosted ten community familiarization visits for media representatives and digital tourism influencers.

18. Introduced 109 youth to the process of creating a business through two cohorts of Junior CEO. 32 new business ideas were launched...

19. Facilitated the Santa Maria Wine Trolley, hosting 2521 riders; service was so popular that service was extended through Thanksgiving weekend.

20. Published a 2022 Local Election Guide and hosted a 2022 City Council Candidate Forum.

21. Launched a Hispanic Business Committee to coordinate outreach and inclusion programs supporting all businesses in the community.

22. Coordinated the publication of 1301 articles in national and regional publications promoting the Santa Maria Valley as a tourism destination in 2022. Top stories include:

• California's top-ranked barbecue shows off Santa Maria Style during National Barbecue Month, Associated Press, May 4, 2022

• The Calif. destination that paid people to visit has a new promo, SFGate, May 19, 2022

• California Central Coast Road Trip Itinerary: castles, wine and more, MSN Travel, Aug. 8, 2022

• Bust Out the Binoculars for This Wildlife-Fueled California Adventure, Thrillist, Sept. 13, 2022

• Santa Maria Weekend Romp, RoadRUNNER Magazine, Nov. 13, 2022

Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce | January 2023

FEDERAL UPDATES TO RETIREMENT PLANS IN 2023: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SECURE 2.0

The federal spending bill signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022 includes some important changes for retirement plans. Referred to as Secure 2.0, this:

• Increases again the age at which employees are required to start making plan withdrawals, to age 73 as of 1/1/23 and 75 as of 1/1/33.

• Enacts an automatic deferral provision, requiring employees to enroll at no less than 3% or more than 10%, so employees have to actively opt out of deferring.

• Allows employees to withdraw up to $1,000 for emergency expenses without the normal 10% early withdrawal penalty. Employers could also allow employees to defer to an emergency savings account up to $2,500.

• Increases catch up contribution limit to $10,000 starting in 2025 for savers 60 to 63.

EXPERT REACTION

“Thesechangeswillenhanceretirementplanningforemployees, with little to no impact on their employers. Automatic deferrals have shown to be successful in increasing employee participation in their 401(k) plans, so the requirement for all plans to have this will expand that participation further. "

Sandra Dickerson, CEO/HR Director, Your PeopleProfessionals & 22/23 Santa Maria ValleyChamber Executive Board Committee Chairwoman

CELEBRATING LOCAL BUSINESS: DECEMBER 2022 RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber is a champion for our local business community. We are thankful for the support from our local businesses, and excited to celebrate new members and major business milestones with the following local business in December.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

499 E. Betteravia Rd.

Santa Maria CA 93454 (805) 345-2777 nothingbundtcakes.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes is known for delicious cakes for any occassion big or small. The Enos Rach location is open Monday through Saturday from 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-5pm.

As a Chamber member, we are happy to partner with your business and help you celebrate a new business opening or major milestone with a ribbon cutting!

To learn more and reserve your space on our calendar, contact Membership Manager Cara Martinez at (805) 925-2403 x 852 or cara@ santamaria.com.

Ribbon cuttings are open to the public and we encourage all to attend and celebrate local business with us! Upcoming ribbon cutting events can be found on our Chamber

Events Calendar at santamaria. com, and by viewing our events on our Facebook page (facebook.com/ santamariavalleychamber).

Not yet a Chamber member? Now is an excellent time to join! Being a member of the Chamber will connect you with other local professionals and help grow your business.

Be a part of our growing community of over 800 local businesses who are members of the Chamber - Contact Membership Manager Cara Martinez to join today, and the next ribbon cutting we celebrate could be yours!

WORKING HARD ON YOUR BEHALF: CHAMBER MONTH IN REVIEW

CATALYST FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

• The Chamber filmed our latest Local Business Spotlight Video, done in partnership with the Santa Maria Times. For December, we highlighted CASA of Santa Barbara County and interviewed Kim Colby Davis, Executive Director. The full video can be viewed at https://santamaria.com/local-business-spotlight.

• The Chamber partnered with the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber and the SBC Workforce Development Board to launch a series of eight Industry Sector Roundtables. Each table, which include business representatives from across the county, are charged with developing recommendations around the question of how the County and the workforce system can support continued business growth and economic vitality in our County.

• The Economic Development Comission (EDC) assisted over seven businesses including: Tesla, MBK Rental Living, Canfield, VSFB, among others. The EDC also connected with prospective businesses looking to start up in the Santa Maria Valley, along with partnering with the City to host a site visit for an international business prospect considering a new manufacturing facility in California.

CONVENER OF LEADERS AND INFLUENCERS

• The Chamber’s Ambassador Committee continues to meet monthly to stay connected in supporting new members as well as to play an active role in attending upcoming ribbon cuttings and events.

• The Chamber’s weekly BYB, (Build Your Business) continues to meet every Friday morning at 8AM at Roscoe's Kitchen.

• The Fall 2022 Cohort of Junior CEOs celebrated their graduation at Toyota of Santa Maria to celebrate completing the program and opening their businesses. We had 21 businesses with our top seller making a $2,400 profit on launch day!

• Planning is in progress for the 2023 events schedule. Upcoming events include: Expo 2023, Annual Strawberry Dinner, 2023 State of Vandenberg Space Force Base, and many other events to come.

CHAMPION FOR A STRONGER SANTA MARIA VALLEY

• The LSMV class had their December topic day featuring Youth & Education. The LSMV Board of Directors had their holiday breakfast meeting at the Historic Santa Maria Inn.

• The SBCEO Internships Placement Committee met on Zoom to discuss goals for the upcoming year. The Chamber looks forward to continuing to facilitate connections between students and industry.

• Early discussions began with a new lead, the CA State Square Dance Convention, possibly bringing in a new large event into the area.

• The 2023 Visitor Guide has been printed and officially release. Copies are now available for pick-up at the Chamber office.

• The Chamber attended the ACCE Talent & Economic Development meeting in Memphis, TN--focusing on Talent Development & Workforce Development strategies that may be useful solutions in our community.

Kim Colby Davis, Executive Director at CASA ofSantaBarbaraCounty.

Glenn Morris with Caylee of Caylee's Candles--the top grossing business of the Junior CEO Fall 2022 Cohort.

Leadership Santa Maria Valley cohort met with Judge Garcia for the Youth and Educationtopicday.

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP CORNER

NEW MEMBERS: NOVEMBER 2022

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber is proud to welcome these new members joining the Chamber. We highly encourage you to support Chamber member businesses.

Member

Advantage Property Management

3201 Airpark Dr. Ste. 209 #A, Santa Maria (805) 928-2331 advantagepropertymanagementinc.com

HighCraft Builders Inc. 155 E. Clark Ave, Orcutt (805) 623-7553

Montecito Bank & Trust 2125 S. Broadway, Ste. 101A, Santa Maria (805) 963-7511 montecito.bank

Pi Whole Pizza Express 230 E. Betteravia Rd., Ste. D, Santa Maria (805) 619-5425 piwholepizza.com

State Farm Insurace - Antonio Mendoza 1103 E. Clark Ave., Ste. D, Santa Maria (805) 354-5886 youragentantonio.com

Steller's Cellar 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt (805) 623-5129 stellerscellar.com

Tortilleria Mexico 1003 N Broadway, Santa Maria (805) 314-2018 en.tortilleriamexico.com

RENEWING MEMBERS: NOVEMBER 2022

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber is excited to recognize these partners who strive each day to create jobs, boost our local economy and build a community of which we can all be proud. Thank you for your loyalty and continued support in renewing your commitment to the Chamber and to the communities of Santa Maria Valley.

74 Years: Engel & Gray, Inc.

61 Years: MIDI INC. dba Valley Glass & Mirror

50 Years: Charter Brokerage and Investments Company

42 Years: Exxon Mobil Corp Health Sanitation Service SM Tire 35 Years: Richard J. Healy, DDS

33 Years: L & G Farms / D L Farms

30 Years: Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

28 Years: Bent Axles Car Club Foxen Vineyard, Inc.

27 Years: Betty S Tibbs, MD Kiwanis Club of SM - Noontimers

26 Years: Good Samaritan Shelter, Inc.

25 Years: St. Andrew United Methodist Church Westar Associates

23 Years: Merrill Gardens

18 Years: Plus Property Management

17 Years: All American Screen Printing & Embroidery Coastal Community Builders

15 Years: Riverbench Vineyard & Winery

12 Years: Flower Carriage by Ms. Cardel

11 Years: Adam Bros. Farming Inc.

9 Years: Cary Gray Cugini's Pizzeria & Trattoria

8 Years: J & E Cleaning Service Nostalgic's Inc/Alternative Energy Solutions

7 Years: North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center Shred 2 You, Inc.

6 Years: Tartaglia Engineering

5 Years: Eddie San Jose - Envoy Mortgage

4 Years: Barbara Wilson - Sound on Sound Budget Blinds of Santa Maria Vitalant

3 Years: Cat Canyon Resources, LLC World Financial Group

2 Years: BHGRE Haven Properties California MENTOR | Santa Maria FHA Farmers Insurance - Shannon Denison

1 Year: Auto World 805 Ralph & Amalia Rea, Amway Indepedent Affiliate Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards

MEMBER TESTIMONIAL

“That’s Fetch! joined the Chamber before evenopeningupthestorein2017.Wewere excited for our business to move forward, oneofthefirstthingswethoughtaboutwas joining the Santa Maria Valley Chamber. We were very pleased when we hosted a ribbon cutting where other chamber members and Mayor Patino attended the opening. It was a time of celebration and the Chamber played a part in that. During our first year, we participated in the Business Expo and enjoyed getting to know the other chamber members. I’m a cheerleader for the Chamber; whenever a new business opens, the first thing I ask is if they’ve joined the Chamber. The Santa Maria Valley of Chamber brings resources and information. What I found is that there is a real personal connection with thestaff.TheSantaMariaValleyChamber reflects the small town flavor of what our communityis."

— Linda Greco, owner, That’s Fetch!

614 S. Broadway Santa Maria, CA 93454

Chamber Connection is the official monthly publication of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. For questions about this publication or to be added to our monthly mailing distribution list, email molly@santamaria.com.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE? SUBMIT AN ARTICLE

Chamber Members in good standing are welcome to submit articles to our Santa Maria Valley Chamber News platform as a member benefit. Your article will be published to our site within 1-3 business days, and a link to your article will be included in our Chamber News e-blast, the Wednesday following our approved submission.

Article Submission Guidelines: Chamber news submissions should be emailed to paulina@santamaria.com Please include your article as a word document attachment, or embed the text within your email. You are welcome

to include up to three images with your article, which should be .jpg format and also sent as attachments in your email.

Your article should include a catchy title and has no grammar or spelling errors. Article topics can include things like industry news, upcoming events or promotions, or industry information you believe other business professionals will find valuable. Articles may be submitted as often as you would like (with different content), and will be posted within 1-3 business days. Chamber News submissions are only open to Chamber Members in good standing.

Additional questions about Chamber News? Contact Molly Schiff, Director of Member & Community Engagement, at molly@ santamaria.com or (805) 925-2403 x 816.

Santa

925-2403