Developed over the course of 18 months at a cost of $91,000, consultants surveyed Santa Cruz business owners and scoured economic data to identify economic pain points and devise solutions. Here’s what they found.
COVID Economy
Posted inVaccine Watch
Some dream — others scheme — to find a vaccine before spring break
It’s the second spring break of the pandemic, and rumors abound about people exploiting loopholes to get vaccinated in order to party. But some students who’ve been immunized were eligible because of where they work or underlying health conditions.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
HOME is where the heart is when it comes to pandemic restaurant resiliency
While so many others retrenched over the past year, Brad Briske and Linda Ritten tripled down on their commitment to bringing the best of fresh local food to people’s tables.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
With Regal gone, Cinema 9 to reopen as ‘Santa Cruz Cinema’ under new operator
After Regal Cinemas decided to close the Pacific Avenue movie house permanently, a family owned company is stepping in to save it. Now, movies are set to resume there on March 25 — and beer and wine might soon be on sale, too.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Will the Nick ever show movies again? Owner won’t offer up any reassurances
THE HERE & NOW: When will Santa Cruz’s beloved old arthouse cinema the Nickelodeon reopen again? The answer lies somewhere on a continuum between probably, maybe, and nobody knows.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Fewer jobs, more wine: California’s deadly COVID year in 9 charts
Our consumption patterns amid the pandemic left a paper trail in California. Beer, wine and liquor stores have been raking it in — but maybe a drink at a bar is possible in the near future.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Mark your calendars: Boardwalk to host open-air market, tease reopening plan reveal
The market will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, and will feature about 30 local artisans selling jewelry, art, gifts, health and beauty products, and more.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
IRS plans to delay tax deadline from April 15 to May 17 after chaotic year
The IRS announced the decision Wednesday and said it would provide further guidance in the coming days. The move provides more breathing room for taxpayers and the IRS alike to cope with changes brought on by the pandemic.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Watsonville Community Hospital suffered financial losses, ‘could have been in trouble’
SPECIAL REPORT: The company that bought Watsonville Community Hospital in 2019 abruptly stopped managing it last month….
Posted inHousing & Development
$16M rent relief program for Santa Cruz County tenants, landlords launches — but not without snafus
To apply or verify eligibility for the rent relief program, applicants can visit HousingIsKey.com. While the program was meant to fully launch Monday, some local community partners say the effort did not go smoothly.