The South Coast Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce Annual State of the County event, held at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara on Thursday, August 28, 2025, brought together local leaders, county officials, and community members to discuss the region’s most pressing issues and accomplishments. The gathering served as a forum for sharing updates on finances, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and more, while fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders dedicated to Santa Barbara’s continued progress and resilience.
In her address, Mona Miyasato acknowledged the challenging economic environment facing Santa Barbara County, comparing recent months to being “on a boat during a storm” with powerful waves of economic changes, federal policy shifts, and revenue fluctuations. Despite these challenges, she emphasized the county’s resilience and continued progress, stating that most things in Santa Barbara County can be solved “over a glass of wine or a tri-tip sandwich.”
Miyasato provided key demographic insights, noting that Santa Barbara County has approximately 440,000 residents with population growth of 0.6% over the past year, outpacing state growth. The median income stands at approximately $96,000, on par with the state. She clarified that, while Santa Barbara County isn’t ranked #2 in terms of poverty in the state, as reported previously in the year, the poverty rate of 7.6% becomes even more of a challenge when you factor in housing affordability in the County. Santa Barbara is both suburban and rural, with nearly half of county land owned by the federal government, less than 5% of land is used for housing and commercial activities.
Miyasato detailed that 35% of funding comes from federal and state sources, 29% from local taxes (primarily property taxes), and 27% from charges for services. While property values have steadily increased over three decades, the county faces financial pressures including:
For the fiscal year 2025-26, Miyasato presented a $1.69 billion recommended budget, highlighting the county’s strong financial foundation with a fully funded reserve and maintained AAA credit rating. Priority initiatives include housing acceleration programs, homelessness support with over $23 million in funding, mental health investments of $16.6 million, criminal justice improvements, climate resilience efforts, and capital improvement projects totaling $131 million.
“When you can’t control the storm, be the lighthouse.”
Mona Miyasato, County Executive Officer
Miyasato concluded with an optimistic message about Santa Barbara County’s collaborative spirit, noting that despite differences and debates, the community works through tough issues together.
Roy Lee, First District County Supervisor, delivered a thoughtful address highlighting his office’s accomplishments over the past eight months and outlining priorities for the future. Speaking with genuine enthusiasm for the community’s potential, Supervisor Lee emphasized his commitment to practical solutions rather than politics.
During his first eight months in office, Supervisor Lee focused on several key accomplishments:
Looking ahead, Supervisor Lee outlined three priority areas for the coming year:
As a 30-year business owner in the county himself, Supervisor Lee expressed a personal commitment to reducing bureaucratic hurdles for local enterprises. His closing remarks reflected pride in our community and confidence in the county’s bright future.
Peter Rupert, Director of the UC Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project, delivered a data-driven analysis of local economic challenges. His presentation highlighted both external economic pressures and local policy decisions affecting the community.
Regarding external economic factors beyond local control, Dr. Rupert addressed:
Dr. Rupert emphasized that many economic challenges facing Santa Barbara County are within local control:
Dr. Rupert’s message emphasized that while the county faces external economic pressures, many of the most significant challenges can be addressed through local policy decisions. His data suggests that addressing housing constraints and carefully considering the full impact of wage policies could help strengthen the local economy.
Laura Capps, Second District County Supervisor and Chair of the Board, delivered an inspiring address focused on the region’s resilience and collaborative approach to pressing challenges.
Opening her remarks with gratitude to the Chamber and her colleagues, Capps described Santa Barbara County as a community that “writes a different story” compared to other regions—one focused on problem-solving rather than division. “We have to be resilient right now, given all the headwinds,” she noted, while praising the community’s ability to remain respectful even during heated debates.
Capps highlighted the county’s pre-approved plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that save residents approximately $25,000 and streamline the approval process, and stated they currently have 300 units that are in the pipeline
On economic development, Capps emphasized workforce development and creating pathways between education and employment. “Making sure that kids who want to stay in Santa Barbara, but don’t have an idea that they can possibly get a job that would allow them to afford it—that’s what we need to do,” she explained.
In her closing remarks, Capps reinforced her commitment to government accessibility and invited community input. “Tell us what we’re not doing, tell us what we should be doing,” she encouraged, promising quick responses even when perfect solutions aren’t possible—embodying the practical, community-focused leadership that defines Santa Barbara County’s approach to governance.
Kristen Miller highlighted key initiatives supported by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, such as a workforce development initiative, to meet local workforce needs by partnering with employers to identify unfilled positions and connecting job seekers with opportunities that match their skills.
More specifically, the Uplift grant is enabling the Chamber to partner directly with local employers to identify unfilled positions and analyze workforce needs, allowing for more targeted recruitment and skills development initiatives. This expanded capacity not only strengthens the local economy but also ensures that residents have clearer pathways to sustainable, well-paying careers, making the community more resilient and adaptable to changing employment trends. Ms. Miller noted that economic development is more than a strategy; it’s an “economic imperative”.
The 2025 TechTopia video premiered at the event, featuring South Coast technology leaders in quantum computing, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. The presenting sponsors spotlighted innovation from companies like Google Quantum AI, Amazon, AppFolio, Curvature, and SpaceX, as well as companies working on advances in laser nuclear fusion and liquid cooling.
