Quarterly Public Policy Update

First Quarter Issue 2024

2024 VOTERS GUIDE - SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MARCH 5 PRIMARY ELECTION

The Chamber unveiled the 2024 Voters Guide for the upcoming March 5 primary election, a crucial event for Santa Barbara County businesses. This election could shape economic development strategies, housing policies, childcare, and workforce development, all pivotal for a thriving business environment.

Questionnaires were sent to candidates running for County Supervisor in Districts 1, 3, and 4. In Districts 1 and 4, with incumbents Das Williams and Bob Nelson, only two candidates are running, meaning these races will be decided in the March primary. However, in District 3, with incumbent Joan Hartmann, three candidates are vying for the seat, increasing the likelihood of the election continuing to the November general election with the top two candidates.

VIEW 2024 VOTERS GUIDE

CHAMBER SPEAKS IN SUPPORT OF

CRUISE SHIP VISITATION

The Chamber spoke in support of cruise ship visitation and the City of Santa Barbara’s cruise ship program at a recent Harbor Commission meeting. The Chamber advocated that the Harbor Commission not establish an annual limit on cruise ships (the proposed cap was 20 per year).

Cruise ships currently bring $3-5 Million in economic impact to the waterfront, funk zone and downtown Santa Barbara. After some pushback from the community concerning the environmental impacts of the ships, extensive investigations have proven that our program has minimal negative environmental impact. The public has weighed in with their questions and concerns as well. All of this information was summarized at a recent Harbor Commission meeting where the Chamber’s President/CEO, Visitor Center Manager and Public Policy Manager spoke in favor of the business community and the cruise ship program. Ultimately, the Harbor Commission decided to move forward with a recommendation to City Council to enact the annual limit of 20 ships per year. City Council will now be the final decision maker on this issue, and the Chamber will continue their advocacy up to that meeting.

Click here to read the Chamber’s letter to the Harbor Commission regarding the Cruise Ship Program.

CHAMBER WELCOMES BEN WERNER,

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LEAD

Is accessing a qualified workforce still in the top three barriers to your business? In the Chamber’s continue effort to address this problem, we are happy to welcome Ben Werner to the Chamber as the new Workforce Development Program Lead. With a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UCSB, Ben brings valuable experience from tech companies on the South Coast, including startup leadership and community development activism. His passion for improving working life and organizational performance aligns perfectly with his new role. Supported in part by the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development department, Ben will focus on expanding job and career opportunities in the local tech and manufacturing sector. Looking ahead, the Chamber plans to extend the program to support workforce development across various industries in the region beyond 2024. Connect with Ben.

CARPINTERIA FARM PRESERVE & BUNGALOWS ENDORSED BY CHAMBER

The Chamber showed support for the Carpinteria Farm Preserve & Bungalows project at a recent Architectural Review Board meeting, highlighting its potential as a major economic benefit for the City of Carpinteria. Endorsed by the Chamber since 2021, the project is expected to generate $2 million annually in general fund revenue alone. It includes 41 much-needed apartments to address the local housing shortage and accommodates the State’s growing demand on local jurisdiction to add more housing. The project represents a balanced approach to development, combining economic growth, housing needs, and environmental stewardship. The Chamber is dedicated to supporting business and the success of the local economy and will continue to be a voice in favor of projects that meet the economic needs of our communities. Read more here.

EMPLOYER SPONSORED HOUSING CONSORTIUM

Housing for the workforce is a critical barrier to business vitality in our region and has become a priority initiative of the Chamber's work. By spearheading a coalition of businesses, developers, and governmental bodies we are initiating the formation of an employer-sponsored housing consortium as one tool towards helping solve the housing supply crisis.

Recognizing this critical barrier, the Chamber's Road Home is a statewide example of self-help for employers to take decisive action to secure housing for their employees, thereby ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for all.

The vision is bold and clear: by buying units or engaging in master-leasing through one of the two consortiums in formation, we stand on the cusp of making groundbreaking progress on an issue that has stymied our community for decades. Our ongoing dialogues with employers of all sizes, seasoned developers, and government officials underscore a shared commitment to this cause. Recent meetings with housing practitioners unveiled potential concessions and incentives from the County that could turbocharge our efforts. As we prepare for the upcoming Government Stakeholder meeting, the Chamber's aim is to crystallize the support needed for this initiative's success. The goal is ambitious yet attainable: to secure programmatic incentives that ensure the consortium's longevity, thereby transforming the landscape of housing in our region.

In the coming months, our focus will intensify as we engage with businesses eager to join this historic journey. By securing letters of interest, we aim to demonstrate a collective resolve that will encourage developers, property owners, and county officials to rezone properties for our shared vision.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Dustin.

CHAMBER SUPPORTED CHILDCARE LEGISLATION IS MAKING WAVES

The Federal Child Care Investment Act is gaining momentum in Congress, receiving the endorsement of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the New Democrat Coalition, a range of child care advocacy groups, and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber. The legislation was introduced by Congressman Salud Carbajal following a business roundtable hosted by the Chamber to connect businesses with the Congressman and other elected officials regarding how government and business can work together to solve the lack of affordable childcare affecting the local economy. Most importantly to the Chamber and our business members, the bill expands a tax credit aimed at helping businesses provide childcare to their workers by increasing the credit’s rate and caps, allowing businesses to jointly create and operate a childcare facility for their employees, as well as adding in-home services as an eligible use.

Click here for a more detailed summary of the bill and the proposed tax credit changes.

CITY OF GOLETA & COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA PASS STATE APPROVED HOUSING ELEMENTS

Housing, and the lack of supply in our region, is still the number one challenge faced by our economy and businesses, due to the challenges it creates regarding employee recruitment and retention. That is why the Chamber has watched the Housing Element processes of our four South Coast jurisdictions closely since they began in 2022. The City of Goleta and the County of Santa Barbara’s Housing Elements separately received approval from the State of California’s office of Housing and Community Development.

On December 5, 2023, the County Board of Supervisors approved the County’s Housing Element 3 votes to 2. The same night the Goleta City Council approved the City’s Housing Element with a unanimous 5 votes. Read the Chamber’s letter to the Board of Supervisors on the County Housing Element here.

ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AND

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

In our efforts to stay involved with discussions surrounding homelessness and it's impacts on the business community on the South Coast, the Chamber recently joined the Regional ACT On Homelessness Steering Committee, facilitated by SB ACT, combining the efforts of all jurisdictions on the South Coast to combat homelessness.

CHAMBER'S ELECTRICITY WORKING GROUP PLANS REGIONAL VISIT WITH CPUC

The Electricity Working Group has been engaged in discussions regarding electricity reliability and energy resiliency and their impact on businesses throughout the South Coast region for over a year. Most recently, the Working Group organized a regional visit from Commissioner Houck of the California Public Utilities Commission to tour some of the affected businesses and have a deeper discussion about how the Chamber and local businesses can work to improve the status quo.

WEIGHING IN ON COUNTY REZONE CRITERIA

In the Chamber's ongoing efforts to tackle the local housing crisis, President & CEO Kristen Miller, along with Public Policy Manager Dustin Hoiseth and housing consultant Joe Rowan, attended a recent Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting. The focus was on establishing criteria for upcoming rezones this Spring. One key concern addressed was ensuring housing from this cycle benefits the local workforce. The Chamber emphasized the significance of its Employer Sponsored Housing Consortium, which allows employers to proactively secure housing for their employees.

SANTA MARIA CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER TOUR

In January, the Chamber’s Public Policy Manager and Workforce Development Program Lead toured the Career Technical Education (CTE) Center in Santa Maria along with representatives from the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, UCSB, Santa Barbara County Education Office, and other community organizations.

This CTE campus serves the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District with courses for Juniors and Seniors to receive technical training in Construction, Culinary, Diesel Diagnostics and Machining. Tours like these bring industry leaders and education together to foster workforce development, driving innovative programs like similar courses that train Advanced Manufacturing workers using the facilities at UCSB. As one of the Chambers pillars, these programs build community, enable workers, connect people to education and contribute to a thriving region.

PUBLIC POLICY WATCHLIST

Goleta Housing Element Update

Santa Barbara Housing Element Update

Carpinteria Housing Element Update

County Housing Element Update

PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE UPDATE

In January the Public Policy Committee heard from guest speaker Matt Taylor regarding the proposed La Cumbre Neighborhood project on the corner of State and Hope Streets. The committee was supportive of the project and unanimously approved Chamber's support for the project. To learn more about the project click here.