ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
March 23, 2026
4:00-5:00 PM
City Hall – Conference Room 1
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, California
Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín
Councilmember James Kyriaco
Robert Nisbet, City Manager
Jaime Valdez, Assistant City Manager
Kelly Hoover, Community Relations Manager
Shannon Kirn, Assistant to the City Manager
Blake Markum, Management Analyst
OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WILL BE IN PERSON OR ONLINE VIA ZOOM If you wish to make a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, the following methods are available:
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[email protected]. Your comment will be placed into the record and distributed appropriately.
Please register for the Economic Development and Revitalization Committee Meeting on March 23, 2026, at 4:00 PM. PDT at:
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AGENDA
I. Public Comment (5 Minutes)
II. 2026 Meet Me in Old Town Events (20 Minutes)
III. GoodlandGoodshopping Campaign Update (10 Minutes)
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 23, 2026
TO: Economic Development & Revitalization Standing Committee FROM: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
CONTACT: Shannon Kirn, Assistant to the City Manager
Blake Markum, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: March 23, 2026, Economic Development & Revitalization Standing Committee Meeting
ITEM I. Public Comment (5 Minutes)
ITEM II. 2026 Meet Me in Old Town Events (20 Minutes)
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the planned 2026 Meet Me in Old Town events.
BACKGROUND
Since June 2024, the City has partnered with the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) to put on “Meet me in Old Town” (MMIOT) block party style events in Old Town to further the 2023-2028 Economic Development Strategic Plan imperative to “Enhance the experience of Goleta for both residents and visitors by leveraging Old Town’s unique historical and cultural identity and investing in district placemaking.” In FY 24/26, the Economic Development & Revitalization Standing Committee (Committee) meeting, the Committee designated $45,000 towards Old Town events including a reenvisioned 2026 Meet Me in Old Town summer event(s), and other community events such as a collaboration between the City and UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L).
Staff have been working with the Chamber to plan the 2026 MMIOT event series. At the February 10, 2026, Committee meeting, staff presented information on the Chamber’s initial proposal regarding the events. Based on the Committee’s feedback, staff and the Chamber have collaborated on a revised proposal.
DISCUSSION
Staff is returning with an expanded proposal for the revitalized MMIOT community event series, as requested at the Committee’s February meeting. The purpose of this program is to provide a free, welcoming space for the community to gather, connect, and celebrate Old Town as a cultural and economic hub. The updated concept includes two large-scale events on June 17, and June 24 designed to activate the district, support local businesses, and encourage familyfriendly participation. To create a true block-party atmosphere, staff proposes closing the block of Pine Avenue between Gaviota Street and Hollister Avenue and partnering with Community West Bank and neighboring businesses to use their parking lots which will provide space for tables for local businesses and community organizations, children’s games and activities, and live performances by local bands. This year’s events will also feature World Cup viewing areas, themed around the Mexico national team match occurring on June 24, which is expected to draw strong engagement from local families and soccer fans.
To deliver event experience consistent with other City-supported signature gatherings, staff anticipates the need for additional funding and recommends allocating the designated up to $45,000 for Old Town events towards MMIOT. In coordination with the Chamber, staff is planning a comprehensive outreach and advertising strategy to ensure broad community awareness and participation. This includes targeted Spanish-language radio advertising, coordinated press releases, social media promotion across City and partner channels, Aframes throughout the City, the production of a short video invitation to be shared online and at community partner locations, and mailers or flyers sent out to the residents of Old Town and neighboring communities. These efforts are intended to reach a diverse audience and to highlight Old Town as a vibrant and inclusive gathering place.
ITEM III. GoodLandGoodshopping Campaign Update (10 Minutes)
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a report on engagement metrics for the GoodLandGoodShopping campaign.
BACKGROUND
The City launched its GoodLandGoodShopping online business directory in 2023. The directory, found at www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com, is a free online listing service aimed at boosting the profile of Goleta businesses and encouraging residents to shop locally. Using the directory, businesses with a Goleta Business License are added to the site and a listing is created for them with basic information, businesses can update their listing and link their own website or social media accounts, post job opportunities, offer promotions, and more.
DISCUSSION
This report provides website and social media engagement statistics for the GoodLandGoodShopping campaign; however, it does not necessarily capture all program activities or the full breadth of community outreach efforts. The Community Relations Division promotes the campaign through various channels including social media posts, A-frame signs, light post banners, press releases, videos, and GovDelivery messages. They also post #GoodLandGoodShopping social media spotlights. Community members may nominate
businesses for recognition by contacting the Community Relations Division. In addition, promotion of the GoodLandGoodShopping campaign is elevated during the holiday shopping season to further encourage local shopping.
Engagement metrics for the GoodLandGoodShopping business directory, website, and social media campaign are summarized below for January 2023 through March 15, 2026.
Business Directory Listing:
• Total business: 1,045
• Old Town Heritage District businesses: 322
Table 1. Website Traffic for Economic Development-Related Pages Website FY 23-24 Views FY 24-25 Views FY 25-26 Views
Economic Development
Website 544 632 519
GoodLandGoodShopping
Website 2,542 1,800 2,221
Table 2. Social Media Posts Metrics Related to GoodLandGoodShopping Campaign Calendar Year Campaign # of Posts Avg. Views Avg. Likes 2023 (March-Dec, original
gift card campaign) 24 N/A 13
2024 (Old Town Open for
Business &
GoodLandGoodShopping
revamp)
157 2,428 102
2025
(GoodLandGoodShopping) 55 3,272 44
2026
(GoodLandGoodShopping) 4 2,285 53
Top 3 social media posts and combined views and interactions (likes and comments) on Instagram and Facebook:
1. GoodLandGoodShopping spotlight: Drover’s Doughnuts (2026) a. Views: 17,019
b. Interactions: 294
2. GoodLandGoodShopping spotlight: BodyRok spotlight (2025) a. Views: 16,082
b. Interactions: 213
3. Celebrate #MothersDay weekend with us in Old Town Goleta! (2025) a. Views: 13,962
b. Interactions: 53 interactions
Overall, the GoodLandGoodShopping campaign continues to effectively promote local businesses and maintain steady online engagement. Ongoing outreach efforts continue to strengthen Goleta’s local economy.