CHAMBER CONNECTION
LEARN ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING AT SANTA MARIA VALLEY HOUSING SUMMIT
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber and the Home Builders Association of the Central Coast are hosting a crucial Housing Summit to address the growing concern of stalled housing projects in the Santa Maria Valley. This summit will take place at the Allan Hancock Fine Arts Complex on March 27 from 4:00-6:30 p.m., free for the public to attend.
Despite numerous developments being approved, many housing projects remain unbuilt due to a variety of complex challenges, which will be addressed during the summit.
The upcoming summit will delve into the key reasons behind these delays, including economic factors, rising interest rates, and stringent state-mandated requirements. California has long been known for its tough regulatory environment, making it one of the most difficult states to build in.
Attendees will learn about the permitting processes, slow-moving
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SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
CONTINUED - SANTA MARIA VALLEY HOUSING SUMMIT CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Chairman: Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Company
Chairman-Elect: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals
Vice Chairman: Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Vice Chairman: Gina Gluyas, BHGRE Haven Properties
Past Chairman: Paul Cook,
Board Members
Sue Andersen, Marian Regional Medical Center
Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc.
Micaela Buchanan, Lark + Sparrow LLC
Jason Buchanan, HUB International Insurance Services
Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business Solutions Powered by Digital West
Nancy Crawford, Care Connection
Transport + Home Care - Santa Maria
Donna Denham
Kelsi Fitzgerald, Veritas Innovative Pest & Termite Solutions
Karen Gjerdrum, Fothergill Andre, Morris & Buttery
Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District
Dave Merlo, Glenn Burdette, Inc.
Sylvia Palacios, Santa Maria Town Center
Terè Paredes, Maya Restaurant
Joshua Beau Flores Sahagun, Luttrell Staffing Group
Dr. Eric Sauers, A.T. Still University / College for Healthy Communities
Ryan Swack, Best Western Plus Big America
Dr. Kevin Walthers, Allan Hancock College
Interested in Chamber volunteer leadership opportunities? Contact Molly Schiff, VP of Chamber Operations & Membership, at molly@santamaria.com to learn more about open positions on our committees.
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legislation, and the growing strain on developers caused by these bureaucratic hurdles.
Developers also face financial challenges due to rising construction costs and economic uncertainties. These factors make it more difficult to finance new projects, leading to increased prices for new housing units and reduced affordability for residents.
Local opposition to new developments, often driven by “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) sentiments, can lead to resistance against zoning changes and new construction projects. This opposition can result in legal challenges and delays, further hindering housing development efforts.
Environmental groups, such as the California Coastal Commission and local conservation organizations, also play a significant role in shaping housing development. These groups advocate for responsible growth that considers ecological impacts, water resources, and coastal preservation. While their involvement ensures environmental sustainability, developers often face additional hurdles in meeting regulatory requirements, such as habitat protection measures, coastal access considerations, and environmental impact assessments. These factors can contribute to prolonged approval timelines and increased project costs.
The summit is an opportunity for local stakeholders, developers, community leaders, and residents to come together and explore practical solutions. It will provide valuable insight into how the
housing industry can move forward in the face of these obstacles and what steps are necessary to ensure that approved housing projects reach completion. Addressing these barriers requires a comprehensive approach that includes regulatory reform, financial incentives, community engagement, and strategic infrastructure investments. By tackling these challenges, we can work towards alleviating the housing crisis and ensuring that all residents have access to affordable and quality housing options.
This summit is an essential event for anyone interested in the future of housing in Santa Maria. By attending, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the factors preventing progress and have the opportunity to participate in a productive dialogue aimed at finding solutions. Whether you are a developer, city planner, policymaker, or a concerned citizen, your voice and engagement can help shape the future of housing in our community.
The summit is free for the public to attend, but registration is appreciated. Visit www.tinyurl.com/ SMVHousingSummit25 or www. santamaria.com/events to learn more or register.
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.
Business, #SantaMariaStyle is the Chamber’s quarterly digital magazine publication. The magazine is another way we highlight local businesses, see what’s going on in the community, celebrate our members and more!
Check out our newest edition, featuring our 2025 Visitor Guide Highlighting all the most amazing, must-see sights, attractions, restaurants and more in Santa Maria Valley!
Scan to read the 2025 Visitor Guide!
or go to:
https://chambervu.com/santamariawinter24
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: GOLD COAST SENIOR OPTIONS
To kick off the new year, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber is taking a look back at some of our favorite Local Business Spotlights of 2024. Thank you to everyone for making our business community so amazing!
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SERIES!
For more information or if you are interested in being featured, please reach out to Romina Montemurro, Communications Coordinator via email at romina@santamaria.com
Scan to view this month’s spotlight.
Pictured: Gary Gross, Vice President of Gold Coast Senior Options, speaks about how the 20+ years of professional service from the senior placement agency came out of personal experience caring for elderly neighbors.
On February 7th, 2025, the Leadership Santa Maria Valley (LSMV) class convened for an insightful session themed around “Government.” This month’s agenda focused on comparing the city management styles of Guadalupe and Santa Maria. The day began with a light breakfast and a few life stories from LSMV class members. They then enjoyed a leadership discussion led by Shannon Seifert, Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA.
The group then journeyed to Guadalupe, where City Manager Todd Bodem welcomed them. Mr. Bodem guided the group through City Hall, answering various questions about the town. Incorporated as the City of Guadalupe on May 19, 1946, the city now boasts a population of approximately 8,000 residents. Its City Hall, police department, fire department, and administrative facilities are all housed in the city’s oldest schoolhouse, a structure renowned for its beautiful Spanish architecture and adorned with
LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY GOVERNMENT DAY
Spanish-style paintings. Despite facing economic challenges in past decades, Guadalupe’s economy has stabilized thanks to the resilient spirit of its residents and ongoing commercial development projects.
The LSMV team then met with Mike Cash, Chief of Police & Director of Public Safety. Mr. Cash provided an engaging tour of the police facility and introduced Debbie, the community wellness dog. His pride in serving the community was evident as he shared numerous intriguing stories.
Chief Cash emphasized his focus on emergency preparedness and youth mentorship. Guadalupe, though small, prides itself on its strong community spirit.
The LSMV team then returned to Santa Maria and met with Mark van de Kamp, Santa Maria City Public Information Manager, who continued the class’s exploration into city government. Santa Maria was incorporated on September 12, 1905, and has a current population of over 110,000. This makes Santa Maria the largest city on the Central Coast between Ventura and San Jose. Santa Maria is well known for its agriculture and scenic beauty. Mr. van de Kamp started his tour with a walk-through City Hall and provided historical highlights from the past 100 years. He explained the city’s division into four districts, each electing its own city council member. From outside the facility, the team admired the nearly complete eco-friendly front courtyard
and garden area, envisioned as a beautiful space for residents and visitors alike. Inside the Santa Maria City Council Chamber, the team received a comprehensive briefing regarding the various roles and functions of the city government and the advisory boards, all ensuring the city’s effective operation and smart growth. Santa Maria has many ongoing commercial and residential projects which contribute significantly to our economic development and continuous urban beautification.
The day concluded at the City Library with a panel discussion featuring Mayor Alice Patino; Chenin Dow, Director of the Community Development Department, Frank Albro, Principal Planner, Community Development Department, and Mark van de Kamp. The panel addressed questions on economic development, affordable housing, sustainability, transportation, education, public safety, and healthcare, offering valuable insights and engaging dialogue with the LSMV team.
Leadership Santa Maria Valley’s exploration of government operations highlighted the unique management approaches of both cities, fostering a deeper understanding of their challenges and achievements.
CHAMBER IN ACTION
Here’s a look at what our Chamber & our member businesses have been up to this past month. 4 1 3 5 2
1. The Chamber team attended the annual Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) conference this year. It was an educational few days where the team learned more about how to better serve the business community!
2. Congratulations to VP of Marketing & Communications Jennifer Harrison for graduating the prestigious 3-year W.A.C.E. Academy!
3. The Chamber celebrates the The Planes of Fame Air Museum which held a groundbreaking ceremony for their aviation museum at the Santa Maria Airport!
4. Thank you to Babé Farms, Blast 825 Brewery and Naughty Oak Brewing Co. for hosting an amazing “Farm to
Table” teacher tour! Teachers had a great day learning about Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as the Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation industry.
5. The Chamber has recently changed its protocol for Build Your Business (BYB) weekly meetings. where you can meet and connect with fellow Chamber member businesses and enjoy a casual and informal setting to market your business, products, and/or services, and increase your referral base! Spotlight your business as the 12 minute showcase presentation at an upcoming BYB meeting! To sign up, visit https://tinyurl.com/BYBSignUp25.
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 February 2025!
Investor:
People’s Self-Help Housing (805) 481-3088 www.pshhc.org
Renewable Properties - EV Fleet Charging Hub (310) 895-6595 www.renewprop.com/ev-fleetcharging
Premium: Orcutt Grocery Outlet (916) 715-5105
https://arclightmedia.com
Member: Five Star Fencing (805) 714-1205
https://5starfencingslo.com
PINK Legal (805) 828-8222
https://pinklegal.com
Vandenberg Senior Residence (805) 922-6631
https://www.vsrsm.com
QUARTERLY FEATURED BUSINESSES
Each quarter the Chamber in partnership with the City of Santa Maria recognizes two deserving businesses through the “Quarterly Featured Business Program.” We are excited to announce this quarter’s recipients!
THE GARDEN MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT
The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant was recognized at City Council as a featured business of the quarter for Q1, 2025.
Klondike Pizza was recognized at City Council as a featured business of the quarter for Q1, 2025.
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.
CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE GRANT - GET GRANTS OF UP TO $2,000 PER EMPLOYEE OUT ON PAID FAMILY LEAVE
DO YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES OUT ON CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE?
The California Paid Familiy Leave Grant (CPFLG) allows eligible small businesses with at least one (1) employee utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program to apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee to offset the increased costs associated with the employee out on leave.
Businesses impacted by California’s Paid Family Leave program will have increased costs such as training and upskilling existing staff to cover the duties of the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; hiring and training additional staff to cover the duties of the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; and marketing, recruitment, and other reasonably foreseeable training costs.
For more information, eligibility details, and to apply, visit CaliforniaPFL.com.
Chamber Connection is the official monthly publication of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber. For questions about this publication, email romina@santamaria.com.
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(805) 925-2403
