This week in Santa Cruz County business: Global accolades for Climatize, temporary plans move forward for Capitola Wharf

Quick Take

In her weekly roundup, Jessica M. Pasko notes an armful of honors for a local startup, highlights what's next for the rebuilding Capitola Wharf and pinpoints numbers and dates to know in the world of Santa Cruz County business.

Each week, we’re taking a closer look at the movers and shakers, the growth of industries, and what’s really driving the Santa Cruz County economy. I’ll be spotlighting some of the biggest areas for opportunity, updates on local development and all things underpinning the regional business scene, each Wednesday.

Got ideas? Send them my way to news@lookoutlocal.com with “Business News” in the subject line.

Climatize named a finalist for global climate prize and Fast Company awards

Climatize, the Santa Cruz-headquartered startup that helps fund renewable energy projects, is a finalist for the Keeling Curve Prize, which recognizes organizations working in the climate change space. The prize, given out by the Global Warming Mitigation Project, supports green organizations with financial awards. Since 2018, the Global Warming Mitigation Project has awarded more than $1.75 million to 60 nonprofits, for-profits and startups. Climatize is one of four finalists in the finance category, chosen out of 600 entries. The winners will be announced on July 15. Each winner will be awarded $50,000.

On Tuesday, Climatize also was named a finalist in two categories of Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, which honors businesses and organizations that are developing creative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. Climatize was one of just five finalists in the top category, World Changing Ideas; the winner was Google. It was one of three companies recognized as finalists in the “impact investing” category. The magazine received over 1,300 entries across multiple categories. The full list of winners is here.

Co-founded by Will Wiseman (a Santa Cruz High School alum) and Alba Forns, Climatize provides a way to support renewable energy projects through microloans, enabling people to invest directly in projects through its app. Since launching a year ago, more than $3,750,000 has been invested through the platform towards solar installation and storage projects in the U.S.

The company will also get some local recognition this week at the Santa Cruz NEXTies 2024 awards show, where it will be honored as the innovative business of the year. The event, hosted by Lookout and Event Santa Cruz, takes place Friday at Woodhouse Blending and Brewing in Santa Cruz – get tickets here.

See my previous story about the company here.

ICYMI: Santa Cruz dispensary decision pits city’s past anxieties against its future

The Santa Cruz City Council greenlit an appeal Tuesday evening to push forward a proposed dispensary in the former Emily’s Bakery on Mission Street. The proposed business, a partnership between celebrated collective Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) and cannabis retailer The Hook Outlet, had met all the city’s code and land-use requirements. But vocal opposition due to its proximity to two schools delayed the project and prompted the appeal. Christopher Neely has the background here.

Ch-ch-changes: Openings, closings and other developments

Crews at work on the Capitola Wharf in March. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Capitola city officials move forward with partial temporary-use plans for rebuilt wharf: The Capitola city council has approved 2024 temporary-use plans for the Capitola Wharf, which is slated to reopen in August. The temporary-use plan, developed with public input from a survey last month, lays out plans for two potential summer/fall events featuring live music, three food trucks and one vendor; details are still to be hammered out. It also allows for recreational and educational programming on a trial basis. The temporary-use plan developed by staff would be scaled up for 2025 to include more events and a temporary beer and wine garden; the city council has postponed voting on that portion of the plan until later this year. Long-term plans for the wharf are still being finalized; requests for proposals are being put out this week.
Bay Area gas station staffing company to shut down: Walnut Creek-based Aura Management Company will terminate all employees and cease operations by June 26, following the termination of the company’s contract with gas company BP. According to the company’s filing with the state, that will impact 337 workers. That includes 11 workers Aura Management employs at the Arco station on Rio Del Mar Boulevard in Aptos. Those employees are likely to be offered jobs through the store’s owner, BP/Thorntons.
Whale City Bakery opens Aptos spot: Whale City Bakery is officially open in the former Burger.Aptos building on Soquel Drive. Tuesday marked the grand opening for the second location of the longtime Davenport business. Check back later this week for coverage from Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli.
New grocery store and taproom gets green light in Watsonville: Watsonville planning commissioners have approved a special-use permit to turn the former Kmart on Freedom Boulevard into two new conjoined businesses, Vallarta Supermarket and Sayulita Tap Room. The building has been vacant since 2021. The Southern California-based Vallarta Supermarkets announced plans to open in Watsonville earlier this year.
Humble Sea Brewing teases opening in San Francisco: Santa Cruz-based Humble Sea Brewing Company plans to open a new location in San Francisco, the company announced on social media. In addition to its flagship taproom and beer garden on Swift Street in Santa Cruz, the brewery also runs locations in Pacifica and Alameda, a seasonal beer garden on the Santa Cruz Wharf and the Humble Sea Tavern in Felton, which briefly shuttered but is now open three days a week with SC Bread Boy in the kitchen. The new spot will be located at Pier 39.

Got hires, promotions, or departures to report? Send them to news@lookoutlocal.com with the subject line “Career changes.”

Looking at the numbers

$55 billion: That’s the estimated value of California’s wine industry, which is facing an unprecedented downturn, according to a recent San Francisco Chronicle article that includes an interview with Santa Cruz winemaker Megan Bell of Margins Wine.

Save the date

Thursday, May 16: The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce hosts a ribbon-cutting for the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s new branch at 55 River St. in Santa Cruz, from 5 to 7 p.m. More details here.
Monday, May 20: The City of Santa Cruz Economic Development and Housing Department will host a groundbreaking event from noon to 2 p.m. for the planned Pacific Station North Apartments followed by a walking tour at the Pacific Station South and Cedar Street Apartments. All three are affordable housing developments in downtown Santa Cruz. RSVP here.
Thursday, May 23: The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Par-Tee on the Green Golf Scramble and networking event at Seascape Golf Club. Check-in begins at 11 a.m.; it’s $180 per player. More info here.
Thursday, May 23: Santa Cruz Works hosts its next CEO Works luncheon with author and corporate advisor Maisie Ganzler from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz. The topic will be “A Roadmap for Ethical Leadership and Market Advantage.” Register here.
Wednesday, May 29: The Cocoanut Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk hosts the annual Santa Cruz Launchpad event from noon to 7 p.m. The event, organized by Santa Cruz Works, couples a job fair with a student business pitch competition. Details and tickets available here.
Saturday, July 27: The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts its 2024 awards dinner and auction at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Details and registration here.