|
Quarterly newsletter for the Santa Barbara business community. |
|
|
As Santa Barbara dries out from a long, wet winter which dampened business activity, the warming spring sunshine and fast approaching summer season is a welcome change as we all look to get back to robust business activity. This spring edition of the Business News In Brief newsletter includes articles and information about workforce programs that provide financial incentives, trainings and certifications. Santa Barbara’s South Coast Chamber of Commerce just hosted the state of the cities event and provides an update on their roadmap to recovery policy and data dashboard. If you are in need of business assistance or specific training, there are links to several business resource organizations that can help grow and expand your operations.
| |
|
Create State Update
The Create State team is currently working on design concepts for downtown Santa Barbara that will be discussed at an upcoming State Street Advisory Committee meeting and released to the public in June 2023. Based on community and stakeholder feedback, a final design concept will be prepared by Fall 2023, and the State Street Master Plan is on target for completion no later than February 2024.
Read More...
| |
Department of Rehabilitation Offers Incentive for Businesses
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) has allocated $10 million for its Demand Side Employment Initiative (DSEI) employer incentive program for businesses to expand or begin hiring people with disabilities. Available funds per business range from $20,000 to $200,000, with the possibility of additional funding in the future.
Read More...
| |
|
Disabled Access & Code Changes Business Owner Forum
On Friday, May 5, 2023, the City will host free workshops presented by John Caprarelli, P.E., CASp, on accessibility requirements and regulations for businesses. Discussion topics will include:
- What accessibility laws apply to businesses?
- What elements of a business must be accessible to the disabled?
- What is the potential liability if a business does not comply?
- What about accessibility for outdoor dining in the right of way?
- What are the most common violations alleged in accessibility lawsuits?
- How can I get my business evaluated?
- What are the changes in 2023 to the California Building Code regarding disabled access and how will they affect my business?
- A Question and Answer period will be included.
Read More...
| |
Homeless Hiring Tax Credit
California’s governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 150 establishing the Homeless Hiring Tax Credit (HHTC). The credit is available for taxable years beginning January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026. Employers may receive $2,500 to $10,000 in tax credit per eligible employee based on the actual hours worked in the taxable year. Employers may claim up to $30,000 of credit per taxable year.
Read More...
| |
Downtown Boosters Gather Momentum To Form A Community Benefit Improvement District
As previously reported in the January newsletter, a group of downtown property owners working with the Downtown Santa Barbara organization and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce have conducted initial outreach and engagement to downtown property owners to gather input on what improvements and services are needed for downtown and to gauge if there was property owner support in forming a Downtown Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID).
Read More...
| |
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce Updates | |
|
Roadmap to Recovery: The Road Home
The Road Home is phase three of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce Roadmap to Recovery, which began during the pandemic and developed plans and action steps to help get businesses, large and small, reopened safely and focused on long-term recovery strategies.
Now that our collective focus has shifted to meaningful recovery, revitalization, and long-term job growth, the Chamber launched the third phase of its Roadmap to Recovery: The Road Home.
The Road Home is a living document that discusses the current state of our region’s housing crisis, and proposed solutions, from a local business community perspective.
Through concepts like employer-sponsored housing, adaptive reuse of underutilized properties, and expeditious support for new developments, the housing supply will increase creating opportunities to meet demand and affordability. To read more on The Road Home and to view the full document, visit https://sbscchamber.com/roadmap-to-recovery-the-road-home/
| |
Finance Department Updates | |
|
Utility Billing Reinstates Late Fees
Beginning in July 2023, Utility Billing will be resuming the City’s policy of adding late charges for past due balances on Water, Sewer, and Trash billing accounts. Please contact Utility Billing customer service to update your contact information or to get answers to questions about your account(s). The Billing staff can be reached via email at UtilityBilling@SantaBarbaraCA.gov or by phone at (805) 564-5345. Please see our website for our hours of operation and for more information about Services & Fees: https://santabarbaraca.gov/utility-billing.
| |
|
Business Licensing Online
In January 2023, the City partnered with MuniServices / Avenu Insights & Analytics to be their business licensing administrator. Moving the business licensing operation online enabled the Finance Department to provide the public with more access to services and to align with the City’s Vision 2030 initiative. If you have questions, need assistance, or would like to register for a business license, please contact Avenu directly at (877) 779-7222 (SBCA) or visit https://santabarbara.bizlicenseonline.com/.
| |
Santa Barbara Airport News | |
|
NEW SEASONAL SERVICE AT SBA
With 20 daily nonstop flights, 10 destinations, and four major airlines, the Santa Barbara Airport makes getting where you’re going easy. While these U.S. destinations are popular for both leisure and business travel, they also offer connections to thousands of more locations across the globe. Passengers will have increased opportunity to reach three of these international airports (LAX, Las Vegas, and Denver) as additional flight services are added this summer:
- In June and July, United Airlines is increasing service to LAX to two flights every day.
- Beginning August 15, Southwest Airlines is increasing service to Las Vegas on Sundays to three flights.
- Beginning September 5, Southwest Airlines is increasing weekday service to Denver to two flights.
To view all of SBA’s nonstop flights, visit https://flysba.com/fly-sba.
| |
|
UNITED CORPORATE TRAVEL PROGRAM
Whether you’re a frequent business traveler or looking for savings for your employees, United for Business offers a variety of programs for corporate travel. United Airlines offers the most comprehensive global route network, including world-class international gateways to Asia and Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. At the Santa Barbara Airport, United currently flies to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver. Their corporate solutions include discounts for group travel, frequent flyer memberships, and various reward programs.
To learn more about United for Business, visit https://united.business/.
| |
|
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES AT SBA
Looking for new and creative advertising opportunities in town? The Santa Barbara Airport’s In-Terminal Advertising and Partnership Program offers a variety of unique promotional opportunities to support your business. This program focuses on building partnerships with local businesses and organizations by offering innovative digital and static ads and creative activations within the SBA Terminal.
To inquire about advertising opportunities, please contact Angi Daus at (805) 692-6024.
| |
|
|
Site Selection Tool for Santa Barbara
Interested in expanding or relocating your business or enterprise in Santa Barbara? Look no further! Click here to explore available properties for sale or lease. In need of consumer and community demographics click here.
| | | |
|
May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
1 Million Cups every Wednesday, Eastside Library
Entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and other interested community members are invited to attend every Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. 1 Million Cups is based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee.
May 6 & 13
New to Food Industry Servsafe Food Protection Managers Certification
This program is designed to provide aspiring food workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure food safety, prevent foodborne illness, and comply with regulatory requirements.
4-day course and exam, classes will take place at the Eastside Library, MLK conference room from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, click here
May 22
State Street Advisory Committee Meeting
The committee will be meeting from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to discuss economic development, trends, and existing conditions. The meeting will be held at the Faulkner Gallery at the Central Library.
May 24
State Street Advisory Committee Meeting
The committee will be meeting from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. to discuss the design concepts. The meeting will be held at the Faulkner Gallery at the Central Library.
| |
Job Seeker/Employer Workforce Resources | |
|
|
The Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board (SBCWDB) assists job seekers with free training or finding employment. SBCWDB also strategizes with businesses to recruit, develop and train their workforce and assist job transitions due to closures or reductions. Contact Alma Janabajab, Business Services at alma@sbcwdb.org for more information. | | | |
Business Assistance Resources | |
|
Economic Development Collaborative EDC's focus is to promote an abundant economy in our region by creating partnerships businesses and educational institutions and training to maintain the quality of life in the Ventura and Santa Barbara region, click here.
| |
|
SCORE, the nation's largest network of expert business mentors and volunteers, is dedicated to helping small businesses take off, grow and achieve their goals, click here.
| |
|
Women's Economic Ventures (WEV) is a local, non-profit organization that provides resources to residents in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to start, improve, or expand their own small businesses. For more information, click here.
| |
|
El Colaborativo del Desarrollo Económico El enfoque de EDC es promover una economía abundante en nuestra región creando alianzas con empresas e instituciones educacionales y entrenamientos para mantener la calidad de vida en la región de Ventura y Santa Bárbara, haga clic aquí.
| |
|
SCORE, la red de mentores empresariales expertos y voluntarios más grande del país, se dedica a ayudar a las pequeñas empresas a despegar, crecer y alcanzar sus objetivos, haga clic aquí.
| |
|
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) es una organización local, sin fin lucrativa, que ofrece recursos a residentes en los condados de Santa Bárbara y Ventura para comenzar, mejorar o expandir sus propios pequeños negocios. Para mas informacion, haga clic aquí.
| |
Thank you for your interest in this newsletter. For more information or comments on how we can better serve you, feel free to reach out. | | | | |
