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.
Santa Cruz County business roundup
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.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Permanent parklet transition; funding for education-to-career programs
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko checks in on the progress of converting pandemic-era parklets to permanent structures in Santa Cruz, state funding for education and workforce opportunities, numbers to know and more.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Bad news for crab fleet, downtown food boom & numbers to know
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko talks to local fishermen about yet another delayed start to the Dungeness crab season, the latest openings and closings across the region and a $325,000 price tag for a fencing company that is up for sale.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Dungeness crab season delayed again this year, another blow to Santa Cruz fishing industry
Commercial Dungeness crab season had been set to open Nov. 15, but amid concerns about whale safety that have delayed the season in recent years, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife has pushed it back to at least Dec. 1. “For many fishermen, this means there’s no income right now,” one veteran says, “and they’re hanging by the threads.”
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Paradox glow-up, New Leaf moves, latest unemployment numbers
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko goes inside the makeover at Ocean Street’s Hotel Paradox, updates New Leaf Market’s plans to leave downtown and more.
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
$65M in storm-related losses just one of many challenges ag chief sees for Santa Cruz County farmers
“It’s been a tough year,” David Sanford says of 2023 for Santa Cruz County farmers and farmworkers. Sanford, who took over as county agricultural commissioner earlier this from Juan Hidalgo, talks about how local growers are tackling the variety of issues stemming from climate change, the effects of inflation and more in a Q&A with Jessica M. Pasko.
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.