Santa Maria Valley
Santa Maria Valley Chamber | (805) 925-2403 | santamaria.com | santamariavalley.com July-September 2025
Prepared for the Community of Santa Maria
ECONOMIC
IMPACT REPORT
Attachment B
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our Quarterly Economic Impact Report for July–September 2025, highlighting our continued work to support economic growth and vitality across the region.
Throughout the quarter, the Chamber provided direct assistance to nine potential new businesses and 11 existing enterprises, helping with business planning, resource connections, and local process navigation. The Chamber also remained deeply engaged in advocacy, issuing several letters of support and opposition on state legislation impacting local business.
The quarter featured key community milestones, including the Groundbreaking for the Downtown Revitalization Project, as well as the Chamber’s 100th Annual Awards Gala, celebrating a century of service and recognizing outstanding local leaders. Our Hispanic Business Alliance continued providing targeted outreach and support, while networking events and committee meetings fostered collaboration among over 900 participants.
Tourism activity remained steady, with more than 100,000 website visits and multiple FAM media tours promoting Santa Maria Valley’s attractions to regional and national outlets. Workforce development continued to be a major priority, with Industry Tours at Arrow Screw Products and Driscoll’s, and ongoing partnerships with the Workforce Development Board, Leadership Santa Maria Valley, and local education programs to strengthen the regional talent pipeline.
The Chamber’s active participation in community events, business meetings, and strategic partnerships underscores its ongoing leadership in building a strong, connected, and resilient Santa Maria Valley economy.
Introduction
Table of Contents
Economic Development.........................................................................................1 Business Attraction................................................................................................2 Business Retention & Assistance..........................................................................2 Requests for Information.......................................................................................3 Providing Business Support...............................................................................3-6 Tourism.................................................................................................................7-9 Workforce Development.................................................................................10 Community Involvement.................................................................................11-12 Media Mentions................................................................................................14-15 Economic Development
10Potential
New Businesses
11 Business Retention
and Assistance
130+
Events and
Meetings
5638
Units in Housing
Pipeline
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 1
2Requests for
Information
The Chamber’s Economic Development department provided direct support to 9 businesses thinking of starting a business or moving their business to Santa Maria.
Business Attraction
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 2
Business Retention & Assistance
The Chamber’s Economic Development department provided business assistance services to 11 local businesses and residents.
N/A Info on (HACCP & GMP) resources
Housing project – Lompoc Support letter
Bank/Credit Union Introductions
Local individual looking to
purchase large quantity of
strawberries
Facilitate introduction to L & G Farms for a sale
Hotel County city navigation through process
Business Support Provided
Santa Maria project Information given
Hotel’s & Fairpark Connection made meeting set up
Hotel Confirmation of submittal
Manufacturing Happy Hour
Podcast
Morning of interviewing and tours
Car Dealership Conversation, information
SLO Dairy Farmer Answered questions
Business Type/Idea Support Provided
Potential landscape
Information on formation of company/permitting
Potential Dance studio
Information on site location, business entity information/permitting process Cannabis – Retail Outreach to city to have discussions
N/A Business license questions
Potential Construction bus What is needed, shared info
Game store
Information needed on location, city requirements
Kitchen cottage business
Provided information
N/A Business license requirements
Laundromat
Purchasing an existing, needed information
831
Members
18 New Members
96%
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 3
Networking Opportunities
900+
Networking Event Participants
This includes the Chamber’s weekly Build Your Business
networking events, monthly mixers, ribbon cuttings, Hispanic Business Alliance events, and Chamber committee meetings.
Requests for Information
Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz) RFI’s The Chamber’s Economic Development department received 2 RFI’s. The RFI’s were one for Project Bluesky VTOL, and one for Project America EV Vehicles.
Providing Business Support
Chamber Membership
Retention Rate
100th Annual Awards Gala
The Chamber proudly celebrated the 100th Annual
Awards Gala, brining Chamber members together to
salute our annual honorees, to reflect on the past year, and to look forward to the coming year. Awards
presented at the annual gala included the Ambassador of the Year, Tourism Partner of the Year, Business of the
Year, Robert P. Hatch Citizen of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, and the Robert F. Grogan Public Service
Award. We also recognized outgoing Board members and
formally install the new Board of Directors.
Providing Business Support
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 4
Groundbreaking for Downtown
Revitalization Project
The Heritage Walk Lofts groundbreaking marked a major
step in revitalizing downtown Santa Maria. This $35
million project will transform the former Mervyn’s/Fallas building into 104 modern loft-style apartments—
bringing new housing, commerce, and energy to the
city’s core while supporting local businesses and creating a more vibrant, walkable community.
Military Affairs Committee
In July, Robert, Vanessa and Cheryl Tolan presented
about Welcome Home Military Heroes and Honor
Flight Central Coast. In August, George Moran, the
Outreach Coordinator of the San Luis Obispo Vet
Center shared what services they provide. They cover
from San Ardo through Lompoc and Santa Ynez. The
September meeting Rhonda Murphy, the Veteran
Service Officer for Santa Barbara County was the guest
speaker. Their office supports 19,000 veterans annually.
Business & Government Roundtable
In July, Santa Maria Bonita School District shared
challenges with future growth. In August, United Way,
Eddie Taylor shared. In September, Amy Madden with
Your People Professionals shared their services.
Ambassador Committee
In July, a report was given on new member outreaches,
and our Ambassador profile was presented by Robert
Cooks of Best Western Plus Big America. In August,
updates were shared on upcoming meetings and events,
and our Ambassador profile was presented by Noemi
Robles of Northern Santa Barbara County United Way.
In September, a report was given on new member
outreaches, and our Ambassador profile was presented
by Veronica Dodd of BBSI.
Providing Business Support
225
Hispanic Business
Group Members
Business Outreach & Assistance was provided to the following Hispanic businesses:
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 5
Hispanic Business Support
The Chamber’s Economic Development department helps support Hispanic business outreach efforts through the Hispanic Business Group, which organizes educational and networking events.
Photography Business Business Plan Support/ Start-Up Guidance /Loan Referral Landscaping Business Start Up Start-Up Guidance
Landscaping Business Start-Up Start-Up Guidance
Detailing Start-Up
Start-Up Guidance
Business Type/Name Support Provided
Baked Goods Business Prospect Start-Up Guidance
Restaurant Business Prospect Start-Up Guidance
Landscaping Business Start-Up Start-Up Guidance
Gardening Business Support
Start-Up Guidance
Business Type/Name Support Provided
Photography Business Start-Up Guidance
Mobile Cleaning Business Start-Up Guidance
Food Business Concept Start-Up Guidance
Providing Business Support
Additional Activities
Allan Hancock Business Start-Up Class: 10 Attendees (9/5) Hispanic Heritage Mixer: 200 Attendees (9/11)
HBA Committee Meeting: 4 Attended (9/17)
Guadalupe Business Association Meeting (9/8) (Attended) SESLOC/WiLD 106 Young Change Maker Recognition (9/15) (Attended) Voz en Acción Meeting (9/17) (Attended)
Corazón Del Pueblo Event (9/25)(Attended)
Grow Your Business Event (8/7/25): 8 Attendees
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce 46th Annual Statewide Convention Pomona, CA (8/20-8/23)
HBA Committee Meeting (8/27/25) 6 attendees
HBA Committee Meeting (06/18/2025)
Open Streets Meeting (06/05/25)
Neighborhood Block Party Vandenberg, (06//11/25)
Community Immigration Forum for Businesses (Attended) (7/1/2025) Allan Hancock Potential Classes Meeting (7/2/2025)
HBA Grow Your Business Event July: (7/10/2025)
HBA Committee Meeting: 4 attended (7/16/2025)
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 6
Radio Station/Events Business
Kevin’s Jewelers
Outreach Efforts
The following Hispanic businesses were visited for Chamber outreach.
Tourism
Transient Occupancy Tax Data
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 7
Santa Maria Valley hotels collected $350,359 in TOT during July 2025, compared to $453,920 in July 2024. This reflects a 22% dip year-over-year.
Year-to-date collections stand at $2 million, only 9.4% below last year’s pace. This consistency underscores the Valley’s ongoing appeal as a visitor destination and sets a solid foundation heading into the busy summer travel season.
With new investments in local lodging and continued marketing efforts, we remain optimistic that the coming months will bring renewed growth—keeping the region’s tourism economy vibrant and resilient.
Month 2025 Monthly Totals 2024 Monthly Totals Monthly Percentage Change January $205,657.77 $199,345.75 +3.17%
February $203,468.55 $210,286.10 -3.24%
March $282,109.55 $275,837.25 +2.27%
April $258,990.80 $277,268.38 -6.59%
May $302,702.66 $315,838.18 -4.16%
June $416,673.19 $496,629.02 -16.10%
July $350,359.24 $453,920.91 -22.81%
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) 2025 v 2024
2024 Monthly Total 2025 Monthly Total
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
Tourism
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 8
Website Traffic
Our tourism website (santamariavalley.com) remains a strong driver for hotel referrals. 100,000+
Website Visits
2,400+
Website Hotel Referrals
Brochure & Visitor Guide Distribution
260+
Visitor guides
distributed to local
hotels, businesses and
through Certified Folder
Display placements
260+
Wine guides and maps
distributed to local
hotels, businesses and
through Certified Folder
Display placements
Group Leads and Details
Jay McCord from the Santa Maria Model A Ford Club requested 110 welcome bags for attendees at the 23rd Annual Santa Maria All Ford Car Show and Swap Meet
Wonda Katepa - Family reunion of 150 people in Santa Maria Valley in July 2026.
Katepa requested for 150 welcome bags to be made for all guests by May 2026.
Community Support
The Visitor’s Bureau provided support to the following community events:
Santa Maria Model A Ford Club
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 9
Tourism
Familiarization (FAM) Tours & Media
We hosted 3 FAM tours in August....:
Ginny Prior
Travel Editor for Bay Area Newsgroup (East Bay Times, San Jose Mercury News, among others)
Kim Marshall
Podcast Host of #L.A. Rising
Deborah Kirk
Editorial Director at Diablo Magazine
...and 3 FAM tours in September:
Michael Patrick Shiels
Host of Michigan’s Big Show, a personality based radio show syndicated statewide.
Greg Tasker
Writer & Editor, Freelance. All about travel, culture, hiking, books, wine, and bourbon. Seen on BBC Mundo, Baltimore
Sun, Detroit News, AARP, and many others.
Vanita Salisbury
Writer, Freelance. All about arts, entertainment, food, and dining. Seen on Yahoo Life, Bloomberg News, Fox News,
and many others.
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 10
Advocacy
During Q4, the Economic Development team issued letters of support for the following organizations and initiatives:
July 11 – WSPA AB 1448
July 28 – AP Business Principles/Personal Finance Credential September 3 – AB 1064 oppose
September 3 – AB 1331 oppose
September 3 – SB 7 oppose
September 3 – AB 1018 oppose
Leadership Santa Maria Valley
In July LSMV graduated the 2025 class in June and is in process of recruiting the class of 2026 and preparing for their August retreat. We also held a LSMV Alumni Lunch & Learn on 7/31. There were 32 in attendance and the guest speaker was Police Chief Christopher Williams.
In August we had a welcome reception for the incoming class and their invited guests. There were about 30 in attendance.
The 2025/26 class will have 17 members. We also had the retreat to kick-off the class year. See below for details.
In September the Leadership topic day was military affairs. There were 17 of us who went out to Vandenberg Space Force Base for a tour arranged by the Public Affairs Office. We visited the NASA Mission Control Center, the Firefly Aerospace launch site at SLC-2, the ICBM Launch Support Center and the Missile Alert Facility.
Workforce Development
Workforce Development Board
In July we sent out our Business Interest form to better understand community interest in participating in workforce programs with justice-involved individuals, and their needed skillsets and any barriers to participating in these programs. We held our final Paid Work Experience Info Session to connect businesses with information on funding and other incentives available through the workforce development board for hiring, upskilling, and providing paid work experience. 15 businesses attended. We scheduled August Industry Tour with Arrow Screw Products to connect those looking for jobs or interested in this industry with information on skills needed, work available, etc. Industry Tours are done in partnership with the Workforce Development Board and will run monthly through 2025.
In August we Held our first Industry Tour at Arrow Screw Products to educate the public on jobs available in manufacturing and skills needed. Our next tour will be in September at Driscoll’s.
In September we We hosted an Industry Tour at Driscolls, providing the community with a behind-the-scenes look at the local agricultural business and facility.
Business Leads Fellowship Program - College & Career Readiness San Luis Obispo Economic Development Commission Meeting Western Association of Chamber Executives – Board Meeting Western Association of Chamber Executives – Conference
Planning Committee
Leadership Santa Maria Valley Retreat – All 17 class members and 4 facilitators attended the 3-day retreat at Camp Alegre Boy Scout Camp. Additional facilitators joined on Saturday, and guest speakers presented during both dinners. The retreat was a great success, with the class bonding and gaining a deeper
understanding of the program.
Fairpark / TMD / Jaime meeting
Local radio station Community Development Director meeting Economic & Community Development
Call with Todd Ventura re: Fairpark / Chamber / Tourism SM BBQ call
District 4 Legislative update
Council Member discussions re: Gala (2)
SMX – Tours for airline visitors
SMX Inaugural flight planning meeting
UPC EIR / GP discussion
GP update meeting with UPC
GP meeting & review & follow-up – next steps
GP meeting – Glenn Morris
GP meeting – Antonio Garcia
Sable Offshore
BBQ Festival meeting
Fairpark & Tourism Meeting (2)
EconAlliance – Sam Cohen
City & Planning Meetings
City Meeting with Department Head
City Meeting – Economic Development Strategy
General Plan Meeting
General Plan Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
PBID Meeting – Brainstorming Advocates
Allan Hancock College (AHC)
Katie Do – Nonprofit Recruiting Company
PG&E Small Group Meeting / After-Event
SO CAL GAS Meeting
VW & BMW Walkthrough for December Mixer (HBA)
HBA Meeting
Tri-County Chamber Meeting
Business Support
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 11
Community Involvement
Local Meetings & Events
The Chamber’s Economic Development department stays actively involved in the community to build relationships and understand the needs of local businesses and the community.
Build Your Business Weekly Networking Breakfast (12)
Paid Work Experience Information Session
United Way Board Meeting
Santa Maria Valley Chamber New Member Orientation
Collaboration Business Consulting
Royal Industries – Manufacturing Forum
NKT – Realtor Intro for Furniture Land
Young Professionals Discussion
Board Chair / CEO Meeting
Business Call
Ribbon Cutting – Discovery Museum/Children’s Resource & Referral
Manufacturing Happy Hour Podcast
UCLA Health Call
Dave Alley – Interview About Dealerships
Dave Alley – Interview About Furniture Store
CalChamber Call
Community Events
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 12
Community Involvement
Local Meetings & Events
The Chamber’s Economic Development department stays actively involved in the community to build relationships and understand the needs of local businesses and the community.
United Way event
Econ Alliance Infrastructure forum
AHC start up Class
Hancock Honors
HBA Mixer
REACH event re Vandenberg grant
AT Still Commencement Ceremony
VSFB Event Non Officer Induction
Celebrate Harvest
SESLOC Awards
Cal Chamber Advocacy Academy
Chamber Gala
GP Joint meeting via zoom
Presqu’ile Tri Tip Cook off
Leadership Santa Maria Valley Alumni Event w/ Santa Maria Police Chief
Chamber Mixer - Santa Maria Speedway
Day of Hope
United Way – Community Awareness Event
Good Samaritan – Shopping Spree
Spirit of Small Business Event
Chamber Mixer – Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes
EquipmentShare – Ribbon Cutting
Efren’s Restaurant – Ribbon Cutting
Heritage Walk Lofts – Groundbreaking Ceremony
EconAlliance – Golf Tournament & Networking
Reception
PG&E – Small Business Support Event
SBSCC – State of the County
AB 1600 Fee Meeting
EconAlliance – Infrastructure Forum
Chamber Media Mentions
Topic Publication
Retail expansion and redevelopment in Santa Maria KEYT
Chamber Editorial Santa Maria Times
Topic Publication
Santa Maria breaks ground on Heritage Walk Lofts downtown KEYT
Chamber Editorial Santa Maria Times
Topic Publication
Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s Gala Celebrates 100 Years Noozhawk Santa Maria Chamber Names Communications Coordinator Noozhawk Santa BarbaraHumane scores first nonprofit award from theSanta MariaValleyChamber
Santa Maria Sun
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 13
July
August
September
Santa Maria Valley Economic Impact Report | 14
Tourism Media Mentions
July
August
September
Topic Publication
Santa Maria Style Barbecue
Tasting Table.
AOL
Family Destinations Guide
Eater Los Angeles
Yahoo Life
Ever After In The Woods
Edible Santa Barbara
Phoenix Flight Wayfarer
Topic Publication
Santa Maria Style Barbecue
Ever After In The Woods
Family Destinations Guide
Steven Raichlen’s Barbecue Bible
Santa Maria Valley Wine
7X7
Yahoo! News
VinePair
Topic Publication
Santa Maria Style Barbecue
Ever After In The Woods
Family Destinations Guide
MI Big Show
Santa Maria Valley Wine
Sunset Magazine
Yahoo! Life
Santa Barbara Independent
(805) 925-2403 | santamaria.com | santamariavalley.com