Can agriculture, long considered a drain on the state’s water resources, help solve California’s water crisis? In the Pajaro Valley, some farmers are being paid to return stormwater to the ground. The effort is part of a joint project among local agencies, landowners and UC Santa Cruz to install groundwater recharge basins on some local farms. Participating farms receive cash rebates based on how much water they capture. But while early results are promising, many challenges remain.
Business & Technology
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County housing market slows amid skyrocketing mortgage rates
Mortgage rates reached a new high in early October, leading to a slow start for the housing market’s typically busy fall season. Some buyers have pulled back, while others are paying below asking price, opening the door for some who have been beaten out by cash buyers in recent years.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Ag industry struggles, downtown visions, Michaels in Capitola
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko talks to agricultural commissioner David Sanford, updates downtown planning in Watsonville and Santa Cruz and checks in on local comings and goings.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
An early adopter of electric vehicles, Santa Cruz is falling behind, challenging California’s EV ambitions
Santa Cruz County is falling behind in the adoption of electric vehicles compared to other parts of the state. Higher prices are putting many consumers off, local auto dealers say. Lower-income areas of the county in particular are struggling to afford the upfront costs of an electric car despite thousands of dollars in government rebates and fuel savings.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Watsonville downtown planning, Onewheel recall & small biz resources
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko details Watsonville’s Downtown Specific Plan ahead of a city council vote and notes a recall affecting Santa Cruz-made electric skateboards, plus milestones for local businesses, dates to save and more.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville city leaders weigh vision for downtown’s future
With the goal of creating an active, vibrant and walkable downtown featuring a mix of shops, restaurants, housing and office spaces that still maintains the area’s historic character, the downtown plan goes to the Watsonville City Council for a vote next Tuesday.
Posted inFood & Drink
Wine grapes, cut flowers return to pre-pandemic values according to 2022 crop report
The 2022 crop report for Santa Cruz County shows modest gains across most of the local agriculture industry. Notably, the value of wine grapes has swung drastically over the past four years, and the value of cut flowers continues to bounce back to nearly pre-pandemic levels after dropping sharply in 2020.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Outdoor dining hurdles, Joby joins Air Force, Crepe Place’s loss
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko looks at hurdles facing restaurants wanting to keep their pandemic-era outdoor dining spaces, Joby Aviation’s Air Force connection and a loss for the Crepe Place family.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Downtown fees, Goodles funding & skateboard milestone
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko previews a public hearing on the move to increase what businesses pay to the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz, checks in on the mac & cheese pros at Goodles, rounds up events and more.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County realtors say housing market to strengthen as pandemic-era buyers rethink remote work, second homes
Santa Cruz County’s housing market had a slow summer, though home buyers still showed plenty of interest in more affordable South County and mountain communities. But with interest rates expected to dip by next year, some real estate agents say pandemic-era buyers might be starting to sell — and competition could heat up.