Posted inPolitics & Policy

A third of Santa Cruz County households struggle to afford the cost of living, new study says

About one-third of Santa Cruz County households are struggling to afford basic expenses like housing, healthcare and childcare, according to a new United Way study. That figure rises to 58% of Latino households in the county and 45% of households with young children. Officials say more new home construction, better healthcare opportunities and increasing childcare capacity are all vital to tackling the problem.

Posted inOpinion from Community Voices

We have to do more to tighten pesticide regulation in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County holds an unwanted and embarrassing title, says organic agriculture activist Woody Rehanek: “No other county in California has such a high proportion of fumigant gases to overall pesticides applied.” In short, we continue to use far too many pesticides, he writes. And the state Department of Pesticide Regulation’s draft plan for the use of pesticides for 2024-28 falls short of what we need to protect farmworkers and ourselves.

Posted inBusiness & Technology

This week in Santa Cruz County business: ‘Sense of optimism’ on tourism, movers and Shapers & mark your calendars

In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko talks with new Visit Santa Cruz County CEO Terence Concannon about the organization’s priorities, notes a key driver of the reshaping of post-earthquake Santa Cruz and runs the numbers on local business.

Posted inBusiness & Technology

New Visit Santa Cruz County CEO sets sights on international markets, expanded business travel, countywide efforts

Settling in as head of the private, nonprofit corporation focused on enhancing tourism and the local economy, Terence Concannon sees “a sense of optimism” post-pandemic, and is not only aiming to bring in visitors from emerging markets like Mexico and Brazil but also to help build South County’s tourism infrastructure — all without alienating county residents in the process.

Sign up for newsletters

Get the best of Lookout Santa Cruz directly in your email inbox.

Sending to:

Gift this article