Contents

Welcome! 6

Board of Directors and the
Chamber Team 10

Housing in the Santa Maria Valley 12

Santa Maria Valley:
A Great Place to Live, Work and
Do Business 18

Housing 22

Education 23

Workforce 24

Healthcare 26

Quality of Life 27

New Members 30

Member Renewals 32

Chamber Investors 34

MEMBER DIRECTORY 41

Vol. 3 | Issue 2 | 2023

614 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454

(805) 925-2403 | santamaria.com

This is a Town Square Publications, formerly MetroMedia (since 1997), publication created and produced for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber

614 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454

(805) 925-2403 | santamaria.com

Copyright © 2023 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | marketing@tspubs.com

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the Accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Town Square assume no Responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without Permission of the Chamber and Town Square Is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Sales Executive | Dede Harmell

Editor | Bob Oswald

Design Project Manager | Mike Nickells

On The Cover:

Housing in the Santa Maria Valley

Message from the CEO

A thriving community requires getting a lot of variables right. Jobs … schools … cultural amenities … recreation … roads and infrastructure … social services … faith institutions … health care … the list goes on. While it is important to get all of these right, the foundational element is housing. Ensuring that those who want (or need) to live in a community have a range of quality, attainable places to live is core to the health and vitality that a community offers to its residents.

As a catalyst and a champion for the Santa Maria Valley, the Chamber engages in programs and efforts to improve many of the elements of a thriving community. Lately, the one that has been at the top of the priority list has been housing.

It seems obvious that the need for more – and better – housing is real in our community and region. Even before we think about future growth, the challenges faced by current community members in finding housing is real. We can – and should – continue community dialogue about where that housing goes, what form it takes, etc., but those conversations really have to start from an acknowledgement of that need.

The good news is that we are making progress. Recent months have seen new projects approved and plans introduced for even more. In some cases, these projects are bringing new housing types to our community – housing forms that we haven’t had in the market before. This issue of #BusinessSantaMariaStyle highlights this issue and introduces some of the projects.

The Chamber invites you to learn about the work that is being done to create housing in our region and to get involved in advocating for projects that help create a full range of housing options for our neighbors – those that are here today and those who will want to join us in the future!

We welcome feedback and suggestions about additional ways we can make a difference for our businesses and our community!

Sincerely,

Glenn D Morris, ACE

President & CEO

Catalyst * Convener * Champion

Making the Chamber Work for You!

2022-2023 Officers

Chairman of the Board

Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals

Chairman Elect

Paul Cook, CoastHills Credit Union

Vice Chairman

Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA

Vice Chairman

Laurie Tamura, Urban Planning Concepts

Past Chairman

Danny Deveraux, CalPortland

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Sue Andersen

Marian Regional Medical Center

Dominick Barry

Quintron Systems, Inc.

Michael Boyer

Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast

Paul Cook

CoastHills Credit Union

Ron Cossa

Tolman & Wiker Insurance

Donna Denham

Santa Maria Country Club

Danny Deveraux

CalPortland

Sandra Dickerson

Your People Professionals

Karen Fothergill

Andre, Morris & Buttry

Edgar Gascon

Hacienda Realty

Gina Gluyas

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Haven Properties

Emily Kitts

Naughty Oak Brewing Company

David LeRoy

Toyota of Santa Maria

Butch Lopez

V Lopez Jr. & Sons General Engineering Contractors

David Merlo

Glenn Burdette

Teresa Paredes

Maya Restaurant

Shannon Seifert

Santa Maria Valley YMCA

Laurie Tamura

Urban Planning Concepts

Max Tucker

Best Western Plus Big America

Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.

Allan Hancock College

Tim Williams

Digital West

The Continued Need for Housing in the Growing Santa Maria Valley Community

Housing has become the conversation within the business community affecting our ability to attract companies to come to Santa Maria, attract and hire talent, and retain that talent.

While our growth in the region is expected to increase, the fear that we may not have enough housing still looms in the business community to effectively plan for future growth for long term success.

Data from SBCAG (Santa Barbara County Association of Governments) shows that Santa Barbara County will see significant growth over the next 25 years.

The Santa Maria Valley Community stands out in our region with an anticipated 32% population growth by 2050. These figures show that housing is now, more than ever, a critical need to tackle to support this growth.

REACH Central Coast (Regional Economic Action Coalition) states that lack of available housing could hinder growth at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The opportunity for more population growth from Vandenberg will be challenged by lack of housing which in turn may affect that long term growth of Vandenberg. From their recent study:

“Vandenberg — newly renamed a Space Force Base — powers 16,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $4.5 billion in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties — a number that could grow to more than $6 billion over the next decade. The base supplies quality jobs, stimulates the production of goods and services, and increases local incomes and overall expenditures on goods and services across the two counties, the study found. It also plays a critical role in retaining high-paying and long-term jobs in the region and spurs significant tax revenues to local and state governments.

Direct economic contributions by Vandenberg include employment of military and federal civilian personnel, defense contracting and capital investment, with indirect contributions that include enhancing regional household expenditures and demand by local businesses, the study states.

Other impacts stem from:

•  The base’s retired military personnel and veterans, who mostly stay in the area and boost the local economy through direct spending and contributing valuable skills as employees for local industries and as small businesses owners

•  Expenditures by a sizable number of government and business visitors to the base

•  Thousands of tourists are attracted each year by frequent missile and rocket launches.

The study noted several benefits of expanded military and commercial space activity at the base beyond total economic impact and job creation, including:

•  Creating more long-term, higher-paying jobs, which have been growing more slowly than lower-paying jobs in Santa Barbara and SLO counties

•  Increasing employment opportunities in central Santa Barbara County and significantly contributing to reducing income disparities within the county

•  Pushing up wages in the aerospace, defense and transportation manufacturing sector, which have been stagnant in the region

•  Providing avenues for the region to retain and attract high-skilled talent, including graduates of UC-Santa Barbara and Cal Poly.”

(May 16, 2021 https://reachcentralcoast.org/vandenbergs-regional-economic-impact-could-grow-to-6-billion-reach-study-shows/)

The availability of housing in the Santa Maria Valley community will benefit both our local and regional economies. The good news is that Santa Maria has a number of housing projects either proposed or in the pipeline. While it may feel like we are playing catch up with local housing needs, progress is being made. (See the article on p. 14 for an overview of current housing projects.)

Current Housing Projects and Future Developments in the Santa Maria Valley

Santa Maria has many exciting projects to look forward to, and currently in the works, when it comes to housing and development. Projects like the Downtown Revitalization, which has been a long-term goal of the City of Santa Maria and the Chamber, are beginning to move closer to fruition. Housing is a continued need in our growing community, and the community is continuing to fill that need through housing projects currently in construction and other long-term development projects. Below, you’ll find a summary of some of the current projects happening in the Santa Maria Valley.

Current Housing Projects

•  Elements Housing Project: 164 units located at Broadway & Skyway, developed by The Vernon Group

•  Gateway Mixed Use Project: 3 story building with 30 units located in the downtown corridor. Will have commercial spaces and parking on the bottom floor with housing units above. Developed by Sofijan Inc.

•  Senior Maria Studios: Senior Apartments located at Santa Maria Way near Miller. Deed restricted units affordable to seniors (efficiency units). Developed by AMG and Associates.

  o  Phase 1 – 160 units under construction

  o  Phase 2 – 198 units (application under review)

  o  Leasing phase 1 to start fall 2023

•  Las Brisas: 340 apartments & 103 townhomes located at Betteravia Plaza. Developed by MBK, sister company of Mistui, out of Japan

•  Avante Apartments: 86 units located at Carmen & Blosser. Developed by Steve Simoulis

•  Centennial Gardens: 160 affordable units located at Battles & Depot. Developed by Southport

•  Centennial Square: 184 affordable units located at Miller St & Plaza. Developed by Dawson Holdings, Inc.

Proposed Housing Projects:

•  Cook Street Apartments and Mixed Use: 104 market rate units. Developed by Charter and Fugate Companies.

•  Paradiso Residences: 90 Duplexes and 150 Senior apartments located at 1571 Main St. Developed by Coastal Community Builders.

Downtown Revitalization Projects:

•  Heritage Walk Lofts (approved): 102 loft type units located at 201 Town Center E. (the Old Fallas Building). The building will be cut out in the middle to provide a courtyard for residents and amenities, and will tie into the City’s downtown project. Developed by The Vernon Group

•  Lot 3 The Alvin Newton Apartments (proposed): 5-story building with 97 units, located in front of Bank of America (300 Town Center E.). Will have commercial units on the ground floor with resident Amenities on rooftop. Developed by The Vernon Group. Will be seeking approvals spring/summer 2023

Proposed Long-Term Housing Projects:

•  Solomon Hills: A new community located south of Orcutt. Will include 4,000 mixed home products and price points. Workforce housing, commercial space, open space, parks and trails. Will be a net-zero carbon, fully electric community. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to initiate study on March 9, 2023. Developed by Solstra California Communities, LLC

Santa Maria Valley: A Great Place to Live, Work and Do Business

The Santa Maria Valley is located at the mid-point of California’s Central Coast. It encompasses the communities of Santa Maria, Orcutt and Guadalupe. Santa Maria Valley is the industrial, commercial, agriculture and retail hub for a region that includes approximately 165,000 residents located in Northern Santa Barbara County and neighboring Southern San Luis Obispo County.

Santa Maria Valley’s population and services have grown steadily over the last 20 years, offering a large, strong and hardworking labor force supported by several higher education opportunities.

The Santa Maria Valley is home to thriving industries including aerospace, communications, high-tech research and development, energy production, military operations, and manufacturing. Manufacturers in our area produce a wide array of products ranging from medical testing supplies to aircraft interiors and baby care products to fire hoses.

Santa Maria Valley residents enjoy world-class wineries, a vibrant cultural scene, top-tier rodeo, rolling hills and 12 miles of Pacific coastline with the state’s tallest beach dunes, smog-free air and mild temperatures year-round. These attractions and more make the Santa Maria Valley an ideal place to live, work and do business.

Housing

As cities across California struggle with housing affordability, the Santa Maria Valley offers some of the most affordable real estate in the Central Coast region, with prices that make development and homeownership attainable. Whether renting, buying or building, the Santa Maria Valley offers a variety of housing options at a price point that is highly competitive with the neighboring communities.

Recognizing housing as a continued need for the growing community, the Santa Maria Valley housing market continues to expand. There were 1,300 homes added in the past year, with plans to add an anticipated 6,000 units to the existing inventory over the next 7-10 years. This increase in available housing benefits not just those looking to buy but the entire Santa Maria Valley community, enabling our local businesses to recruit and retain the best employees and providing families the opportunity to live closer to where they work and go to school.

More information on the need for housing in the Santa Maria Valley and current housing development projects is available in the feature article.

Education

Santa Maria is a resource full of well-trained, skilled and capable workforce, due in part to a strong educational system and variety of post-secondary education options. The community offers various public and private K-12 schooling options.

The Santa Maria Valley also offers diverse options for post-secondary education. The region is home to Allan Hancock College, a California public community college. The college is ranked as one of the five best community colleges in California and one of the top 120 community colleges in the nation.

A.T. Still University is the newest post-secondary university to open in Santa Maria. The school’s Central Coast Physician Assistant program is a 24-month residential master’s degree program which educates culturally-humble, diverse physician assistants (PAs) to serve the primary care needs of medically underserved communities.

Additional higher education options in the Santa Maria Valley include Brandman University Academic Centers, Laurus College and Santa Barbara Business College. The Santa Maria Valley is also within the drivable vicinity of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and University California Santa Barbara.

Santa Maria prides itself on being business friendly, helping businesses succeed and welcoming new jobs, homes and development in our community. Being one of the largest communities in the region, the Santa Maria Valley attracts many businesses to the area, due to the large local workforce.

The Santa Maria Valley has a diverse workforce with a variety of industries, while continuing to maintain a large manufacturing base with a significant amount of agriculture. Vandenberg Space Force Base and its contracted companies are one of the largest employers in the region and plays a significant role in the region’s economy employing over 6,000 individuals. Other larger employers range from Healthcare, Education, Agriculture and Retail.

Healthcare

Santa Maria Valley is home to Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC), which is the anchor hospital for Dignity Health Systems Central Coast area. MRMC has been serving patients on the Central Coast for nearly 75 years, building on its heritage of being founded as Our Lady of Perpetual Help Hospital by the Sisters of St. Francis. In response to a rapidly growing population in the Santa Maria Valley and ongoing advances in medical technology, MRMC built a new state-of-the-art, 191-bed hospital, which opened in the spring of 2012.

MRMC continues to be recognized by industry-leading certifications and awards. Their Cancer Care is one of only three cancer programs between San Francisco and Los Angeles to be accredited as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center and has received eight commendations for outstanding achievement from the Commission on Cancer.

In addition to Marian, the Santa Maria Valley offers a variety of other high-quality healthcare providers including Cottage Health and Community Health Centers. The Santa Maria Valley is fortunate to have top quality equipment and doctors serving the area. With healthcare as Santa Maria’s second largest employment sector, you can rest assured that quality healthcare is always nearby.

Quality of Life

Workforce

Santa Maria offers a balanced quality of life, with its slower pace giving the community a relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle. Here you will discover a valley like no other, with an original blend of local flavor, genuine hospitality and natural beauty.

Seek the solitude of the spectacular beachfront Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes or attend a festive performance at one of our acclaimed local theaters like PCPA. Savor world-famous Santa Maria Style Barbecue along with locally grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. You can trust our local ranching tradition that insists on treating our locals and visitors like family. We look forward to sharing our abundance with you.

Additional resources on how you can enjoy the best that the Santa Maria Valley has to offer, including a guide to local dining and attractions, can be found at santamariavalley.com.

Chamber Welcomes New Members:
January-March 2023

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber is proud to welcome these businesses as new members and investors in the Chamber. We appreciate their vote of confidence in the work that the Chamber is engaged in on behalf of all businesses in our community and look forward to working with them to build a stronger Santa Maria Valley.

We strongly encourage all residents and businesses to support these and other Chamber member businesses who have demonstrated a commitment to our community. You can find a full list of local businesses by visiting our local business directory (www.SantaMaria.com/List).

American Riveria Bank

(805) 621-6390

www.americanriviera.bank

Richards Ranch

(805) 710-7866

First Student

(805) 623-0710

www.firststudentinc.com

Gina’s Piece of Cake- Orcutt

(805) 922-7866

www.ginaspieceofcake.com

Planes of Fame Air Museum

(909) 597-3722

www.pofsantamaria.org

101 Pension Solutions - Susie Flynn,

QPA, QKC, QKA

(805) 995-9101

http://101pensionsolutions.com

Acrepe

(929)365-7631

http://acrepe.com

Adobe

(408) 753-5826

www.adobe.com

Altrusa Int’l Foundation of Golden Valley, Inc

(805) 714-0761

www.altrusaofgoldenvalley.org

Ameriprise Financial--Terry

Dworaczyk

(805) 938-9724

https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/terry.l.dworaczyk/profile/

Artemis Artwork

(805) 779-1622

www.artemisartworks.com

Atrévete Al Cambio Integral Wellness

Center

(805) 554-7106

http://facebook.com/atrevetealcambio.iwc

Awakening Giantz

(805) 202-9836

Barbara Wilson, Art and Photography

(805) 266-8009

BK’s Bookkeeping LLC

(805) 202-4004

https://bksbookkeeping.co

Bec Health Chick

(805) 878-4311

www.bechealthchick.com

California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

(916) 669-2870

www.cahcc.com

Card My Yard Santa Maria

(805) 868-8071

www.cardmyyard.com/santa-maria

Charles Motley Empowered by NEXA Mortgage, LLC

(805) 478-8508

www.charlesmotley.com

Coastal Home Living

(805) 637-2234

http://coastalhomeliving.net

Guild Mortgage - Orcutt

(805) 623-0693

https://branches.guildmortgage.com/ca/santamaria/orcutt-288.html

Human Interest

(559) 285-7075

www.humaninterest.com

Inspirations Event & Floral Design

(805) 270-4373

http://inspirationsfloralboutique.com

Managed Career Solutions, SPC /America’s Job Center of California -Santa Maria

(805) 614-1275

http://mcscalifornia.com

Michael J. Scott Law Office

(805) 925-2717

Michelle G. Cothran, Trusted REALTOR at PB & Associates

(805) 888-1114

www.pbnassoc.com/michellegcothran/

Nena’s Kitchen

(805) 934-4001

www.instagram.com/nenas_kitchen1

New Hope Harvesting, LLC

(805) 361-0431

Popolo Catering

(805) 543-9543

http://www.popolocatering.com

SGT DEE

(805) 489-3288

www.sgtdee.com

Santa Barbara Home Power Program

(832) 524-5966

www.sbhomepower.com

Snap It 360

(805) 260-2847

instagram.com/snapit.360

Sonam Narayan, Realtor – eXp Realty

(209) 585-8590

www.homesfromtheheart.net

Uberfleets

(661) 293-9508

Vanessa Rae Media

(805) 321-0009

https://www.vanessarae.com/

What’s Your Story

(661) 293-9508http://whats-your-story-7596.myshopify.com/

Chamber Celebrates
Member Renewals: January-March 2023

The Chamber is proud to recognize our members who renewed their commitment to the Chamber during the January 2023 through March 2023 period. These businesses strive each day to create jobs, boost our local economy, and build a community of which we can all be proud. We thank them for their loyalty and continued support, allowing us to work with them to create a stronger Santa Maria Valley.

Learn more about these businesses, and all Chamber members, at www.SantaMaria.com/List.

83 years:

Santa Maria Times

78 years:

Melby's Jewelers

72 years:

Olivera Properties, LLC

67 years:

Dudley Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory

58 years:

CalPortland

57 years:

Home Motors

53 years:

Mechanics Bank

Nancy Stewart

52 years:

The Y

43 years:

Magner Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

WSPA

Santa Maria Association of Realtors

Santa Maria Country Club

Santa Maria Fairpark

31 years:

American Red Cross

Center for Employment Training

KSBY

Tri W Enterprises, Inc.

29 years:

West Dermatology

Santa Maria Women's Network

28 years:

Cottonwood Canyon Winery

Central Coast Literacy Council

27 years:

Coast Family Real Estate - Jean Studer

Got You Covered

Glad A Way Gardens, Inc.

26 years:

Babe Farms Inc.

Hitching Post Of Casmalia

Pacific Christian Center

25 years:

Hesperian Masonic Lodge #262

R W Scott Construction Co., Inc.

Tetra Tech

24 years:

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center

23 years:

Morris & Garritano Insurance

Pacific Coast Business Times, Inc.

Wilshire Health & Community Services

Friends of the SM Public Library

La Vista Apartments of Santa Maria

22 years:

Community Health Centers Of Central Coast

CCSA Rage Youth Hockey Association

Rancho Gardens Apartments

21 years:

Central Coast Rescue Mission

Halsell Builders

20 years:

Fletcher-Cross & Assoc.

United Staffing Associates

Santa Maria Nissan Mazda

19 years:

Buy Local Media Group

Santa Barbara Humane

18 years:

American GI Forum

Central Coast Jet Center

Chiropractic Wellness Group

Leona Doidge

17 years:

Benedetti & Associates

Santa Maria Sunrisers Lions Club International

16 years:

American Self Storage Santa Maria

Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria Valley

Subway

Valley Art Gallery

15 years:

Family Service Agency

Heritage Church

Ever-Ready Electric

Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club

Red Dog Management

14 years:

FUEGO 97.1 Hot Hits

Santa Maria Periodontics

12 years:

Excel Personnel Services

Fortress-Secure Mini-Storage

Santa Maria Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM

Central Coast Packaging Services

Old Orcutt Merchants Assoc.

11 years:

Era Polly Real Estate

First Command Financial Planning/BV Enterprises

McGaughey Financial Services

Nipomo Swapmeet & Mini Storage

9 years:

Edward Jones - Office of Jeremy Rich Financial Advisor

First Bank

Vandenberg Space Force Base - Space Launch Delta 30 - Public Affairs Office

8 years:

DANA Adobe & Cultural Center

Guild Mortgage - Orcutt

SESLOC Federal Credit Union

Hacienda Realty

Shred 2 You, Inc

Sleepfit Corp. / Mattress Land Stores

7 years:

Orcutt Childen's Arts Foundation

Torchlight Marketing

Dunn-Edwards Paints

Naturipe Berry Growers, Inc.

6 years:

La Tradicional Ice Cream Shop

That's FETCH!

Care Connection Transport Services

PETS Hospital

The Salvation Army

5 years:

Barbara Wilson - Sound on Sound

Neuroboxing Santa Maria

Quality Wine Barrels

Talley Farms Fresh Harvest

Andre, Morris & Buttery

Comcast

Cottage Health

Foxen Canyon Wine Trail

Chick-Fil-A Enos Ranch

Naughty Oak Brewing Co.

San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce

4 years:

Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House & Cafe

Eco-T Tire & Retreading, LLC

Independent Living Resource Center, Inc.

Landkammer Consulting

Central Coast Truck Center - Santa Maria

Premier HOA Management, Inc.

RRM Design Group

Workforce Development Board of Santa Barbara County

3 years:

Orkin Central Coast

Terrain Consulting, Inc.

Innovative Produce

Pacific Petroleum California Inc.

Tara's MOBILE FOOTCARE

Placer Title Company

Taft Electric Company

2 years:

JR Bookkeeping

Kathy Simas

Oak & Iron Gym

CA Real Estate Co., Inc.

Charcuter'Dee & Fromagerie

Coiffure Society Salon

JR Bookkeeping

SpotOn

1 year:

California Conservation Corps

Raising Cane's

Rewards Network

Santa Maria Valley Community of Prayer, Inc.

Touching Hearts In-Home Care

A.T. Still University / College for Healthy Communities

Friends of Waller Park

Sunlife Farm Inc.