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.

Kim Colby Davis, Executive Director at CASA of Santa Barbara County.

• 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!

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

• 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.

Leadership Santa Maria Valley cohort met with Judge Garcia for the Youth and Education topic day.

• 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.