Santa Cruz Economic Development
Economic development is a government policy to increase economic and social welfare in our community. The Santa Cruz community has many available resources that can be harnessed and subsequently aimed at strengthening the development of our economy, especially in regards to our businesses both large and small. Now that we have established a strong platform for recovery from the 2008 Recession, it is time to turn our concern to the ongoing development of Santa Cruz.
We are privileged to live in a community with access to fresh talent from UCSC, the technological hub of Silicon Valley, unparalleled natural environments, community diversity and an overarching commitment to sustainability, infrastructure growth and redevelopment. It is important to continue balancing these gifts with that of both sensible regulation and the preservation of a market driven economy in the name of supporting business and ongoing economic growth and stability in the larger Santa Cruz area.
We are privileged to live in a community with access to fresh talent from UCSC, the technological hub of Silicon Valley, unparalleled natural environments, community diversity and an overarching commitment to sustainability, infrastructure growth and redevelopment. It is important to continue balancing these gifts with that of both sensible regulation and the preservation of a market driven economy in the name of supporting business and ongoing economic growth and stability in the larger Santa Cruz area.
Santa Cruz County
The County of Santa Cruz’s Economic Development staff is committed to helping business owners achieve their goals for a successful business in the County. Many tools and resources have been made available on their website to provide assistance. For information about starting your own business, click here.
In 2013, the staff along with the public, collected and analyzed data to strengthen the economy. They presented the Economic Vitality Study (EVS) which introduces a series of suggested goals and ideas for strategies and action items that could promote job growth, expand workforce development and improve the quality of life for residents and businesses in Santa Cruz County. The Economic Development Vision and Strategy (EDVS) then presents strategies and actions items prepared from the EVS.
Key Goals:
The County of Santa Cruz’s Economic Development staff is committed to helping business owners achieve their goals for a successful business in the County. Many tools and resources have been made available on their website to provide assistance. For information about starting your own business, click here.
In 2013, the staff along with the public, collected and analyzed data to strengthen the economy. They presented the Economic Vitality Study (EVS) which introduces a series of suggested goals and ideas for strategies and action items that could promote job growth, expand workforce development and improve the quality of life for residents and businesses in Santa Cruz County. The Economic Development Vision and Strategy (EDVS) then presents strategies and actions items prepared from the EVS.
Key Goals:
- Create a shared vision and organize for action
- Support sustainable development with housing and transportation choices
- Strengthen key economic sectors: agriculture, health, education, and leisure/hospitality
- Support small business, technology/innovation, and the arts
- Expand public sector capacity and infrastructure
- Revitalize and strengthen town center and commercial areas
- Promote Santa Cruz county to regional, state national and global markets
Santa Cruz County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
In 2015, the county of Santa Cruz released a 5 year plan outlining the economic development goals of our community over the coming years (click here for the full plan in PDF form).
They outlined the following:
In 2015, the county of Santa Cruz released a 5 year plan outlining the economic development goals of our community over the coming years (click here for the full plan in PDF form).
They outlined the following:
- Strengths
- Agriculture
- Food Production
- Processing and Packaging Sector Leisure
- Hospitality/Tourism Retail Sector
- Highly trained workforce in much of the County
- Health care industry
- Education and Government sectors
- Active civic & non-profit sector
- Weaknesses
- Residential development constraints
- High housing costs compared to wages
- Limited space for commercial growth
- Ratio of jobs in the County compared to workforce
- Aging infrastructure: deferred maintenance of transportation and other infrastructure as well as lack of investment in new water supplies
- Opportunities
- Tourism
- Visitor stays increased retail spending
- Market to international visitors, especially during the summer months
- Creative sector
- Emerging industries and a re-emerge of information technology sector
- Science and Technology transfer from UCSC
- Tourism
- Threats
- Globalization
- Increasing housing prices
- Limited water supply
- Further degradation of local and regional transportation infrastructure
- Urban use and agricultural use conflicts
- Global warming and sea level rise