On Friday, September 8, the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with all regional Chambers of Commerce across Santa Barbara County, presented the annual State of the County. Held at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, the gathering served as a platform for local leaders, politicians, and public figures to provide valuable insights into the current economic landscape and important local government initiatives.  

The event's program featured influential speakers who shed light on various aspects of Santa Barbara County's economic outlook and governmental priorities. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, offering the audience a look at the region’s most pressing topics.  

Drawing over 330 attendees, the event commenced with Santa Barbara County Executive Officer, Mona Miyasato, delivering a comprehensive update on the region's ever-changing business landscape and budget overview. Miyasato provided crucial information on the county's budget, tax revenue, and projects funded by the county, shedding light on the financial health of the area and the major initiatives set to shape its future. She shared that the financial outlook is stable and that the County currently has a surplus. In addition, Miyasato gave a comprehensive view of how the County funded disaster response and recovery, shared impacts to mental health services, and gave a housing overview. She noted that Santa Barbara County’s population grew over 21% in the last 30 years, but the housing supply only increased by just over 14%. While housing supply continues to be a struggle, 90% of households that accessed federal emergency funding through vouchers have remained in permanent housing over the last three years. 

Following Miyasato, Second District County Supervisor Laura Capps took the stage to address one of the county's most pressing concerns—employee housing and childcare. Her presentation delved into the strategies being employed to tackle these challenges, underscoring the county's commitment to the well-being of families in the community.  

A candid conversation between Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce Board President, Joey Zumaya, and County Chairman, Supervisor Das Williams took the stage as they addressed pivotal topics including housing, greenhouse gas reduction, and county-level concerns about recruitment and overtime, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between business leaders and government officials in shaping county policies and priorities.  Supervisor Williams encouraged more consideration for housing solutions.  

UC Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project Director, Peter Rupert, provided a comprehensive regional economic update, offering valuable insights into the trends and forecasts influencing the business landscape in Santa Barbara County. Most notably, Rupert mentioned that the City of Santa Barbara currently has the most expensive rental rates in the country, which opened up the dialogue to discuss the housing issues in the region.  

One of the primary objectives of the State of the County event was to provide the business community with a deeper understanding of the critical issues currently under consideration by local government officials. This event highlighted the unified commitment of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce in fostering dialogue, collaboration, and progress within the region. As housing continued to be a main topic of discussion, the program also highlighted the Chamber’s recent initiative, an employer-sponsored housing consortium, and encouraged businesses to join in the effort. 

For more information about the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce and future events, please click here to visit their website.