This week in Santa Cruz County business: Joby expands in Ohio, national recognition for local astronomers, longtime music rehearsal space hits market

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.

Joby purchases second manufacturing facility in Ohio to meet goal of doubling production in 2027

Santa Cruz-based electric air taxi company Joby Aviation is buying an additional manufacturing facility near Dayton, Ohio, to help support the company’s goal of doubling production to four aircraft per month next year. The 700,000-square-foot facility is ready for immediate use, with operations expected to begin there this year.

In September 2023, Joby officials announced they’d selected Dayton for the company’s first scaled manufacturing facility, a 140-acre site near the Dayton International Airport. Manufacturing there began late last year, starting with propeller blades. The company’s headquarters remains in Santa Cruz, and the company recently expanded its manufacturing facility in Marina in Monterey County. 

In a statement, Joby CEO and founder JoeBen Bevirt said the new site will also serve as a base for “significant” future growth. 

Joby, founded in 2009, has rapidly emerged as a leader in the race to bring commercial electric air taxi service to fruition. The company plans to operate a service similar to Uber or Lyft, with passengers using a mobile app to hail an electric air taxi to and from certain airports. That could happen as soon as this year, with Joby planning to launch service first in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Joby is working to meet a series of requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration before it can offer service in the U.S. Late last year, Joby sued its main rival in the space, Archer Aviation, in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, alleging corporate espionage. A hearing is scheduled in that case for March.

National astronomy organization recognizes UC Santa Cruz scientists

The American Astronomical Society, the nation’s leading organization for professional astronomers, has selected UC Santa Cruz professor Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz and science division dean Bryan Gaensler to be among 23 new fellows for 2026. The designation recognizes scientists for their original research and publications, contributions to education, and noteworthy service to astronomy overall. Less than 0.5% of the organization’s membership, which totals more than 8,000 individuals, receives the honor each year. 

Also recognized at the organization’s annual meeting this month was UCSC professor of astronomy and astrophysics Connie Rockosi, who received the Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation for her work at Lick Observatory, among other contributions. 

ICYMI: Changes coming for another beloved pillar of local music scene

After more than 15 years, Jennifer and Paul Gallacher have put the music rehearsal space they run in Santa Cruz up for sale — marking the end of an era for the countless bands and musicians that have relied on Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios. 

It’s not curtains for the Coral Street business yet, though; the Gallachers are seeking a buyer for the business who’s willing to run it for the next 15 years and beyond, and they’re willing to show them the ropes.

The Gallachers own the building, but are ready to retire from running it day to day. They’ve lowered the price to $55,000 for the business, which includes four professionally sound-treated rehearsal rooms, a lobby and a storage room in addition to a collection of rental gear such as drums and floor monitors. 

Read more from Mat Weir here.

Ch-ch-changes

• New director for Capstan Medical’s board: Santa Cruz-headquartered Capstan Medical has appointed Marshall Mohr to its board of directors. The company, founded in 2020, is developing a minimally invasive technology to treat certain types of heart disease. Last year, the company announced it had completed its first pilots in human patients. Mohr’s experience includes serving as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Intuitive Surgical, a global leader in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, and as executive vice president of Global Business Services. He also serves on the boards of Veeva Systems, Pacific Biosciences of California and SRI international.
• Mathnasium to offer paid after-school math instruction in Scotts Valley school district: Two Scotts Valley elementary schools will be offering after-school math instruction through the local franchise of Mathnasium starting this week. Mathnasium is a global network of math-only learning centers for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Mathnasium of Scotts Valley recently was approved as an on-campus partner for Vine Hill and Brook Knoll schools, with instruction slated to begin Jan. 15 and 20, respectively. This marks the first time Mathnasium’s program has been offered on campus within the community, according to Colby Miller, owner of Mathnasium Scotts Valley.
• Climatize hires XPRIZE veteran as director of AI: Santa Cruz-based Climatize, which helps crowdsource funding for renewable energy projects, named Lalit Joshi its new director of artificial intelligence. Joshi previously was the head of software engineering at Shell Recharge Solutions, a provider of electric vehicle technology and charging solutions. He also served as director of engineering for the XPRIZE, a nonprofit organization that designs and holds global competitions to stimulate technological advancement. 
• Game store in Watsonville closing as part of national restructuring: Wednesday marks the last day in business for the GameStop on Main Street in Watsonville. The closure comes as the retail chain shutters stores to cut costs. The Capitola store closed last week.

• Gluten-free bakery opens in downtown Santa Cruz: Switch Bakery is now open in the former Cafe Limelight at 1016 Cedar St. in Santa Cruz. Husband-and-wife team Joshua Bradley and Amanda Frazier opened their gluten-free baking business over five years ago, selling at local farmers markets and three retail locations in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The cafe, Switch’s first brick-and-mortar business, serves a variety of sandwiches, pastries and more. Current hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

What’s new on the Lookout Job Board

• Associate Director for Clinical Services at UC Santa Cruz
• Family Office Associate at Private Family Office
• Finance Director at Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
• Music Director and Accompanist at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County
• Director of Health Promotion at UC Santa Cruz

Want more? Browse all openings on our job board. | Hiring? Post your job today!

Looking at the numbers

• 63%: That’s how many of California’s farms are run by women, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Approximately 38% of all producers in the state are women. The agency is participating in the 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer, an initiative launched by the United Nations to recognize women’s vital role in agriculture worldwide. 

Save the date 

• Thursday, Jan. 15: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its next business after-hours event at local security company Abbott SPI, Inc., from 5 to 7 p.m. Abbott SPI’s headquarters are located at 2030 N. Pacific Ave., Suite A, in downtown Santa Cruz. Register here to attend.
• Saturday, Jan. 17: The Santa Cruz Goodwill store will host a community celebration from noon to 5 p.m. as part of a number of events being held throughout the region by Goodwill Central Coast. There will be live music, face painting, churros and hot cocoa at 204 Union St., Santa Cruz.
• Thursday, Jan. 22: The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon with the county’s new executive officer, Nicole Coburn, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Seascape Golf Course in Aptos. Tickets are $35. Register here.
• Sunday, Jan. 25: The 3D Entrepreneurs Club will launch its afterschool entrepreneurship clubs in 10 schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties this year, following successful pilot programs in 2025. An official launch event will be held at the Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will open with a panel featuring leading Santa Cruz tech entrepreneurs discussing how parents and schools can prepare students for the AI era. There will also be a mini “Shark Tank” style showcase for students to show off their 3D-printed creations. Additional details and registration are available here.
• Wednesday, Jan. 28: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual employment law workshop, focused on new employment laws in 2026. Michael Manoukian, partner with Lathrop GPM, will lead the workshop, to be be held at the Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Register here.
• Wednesday, Jan. 28: Santa Cruz Works will present the 2025 Titans Awards, which recognize individuals for their achievements in business, technology and entrepreneurship in the Monterey Bay region. The event takes place at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here. Read about this year’s awardees here.
• Thursday, Jan. 29: The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership will hold its 10th anniversary gala at the Monterey Bay Aquarium from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Attendees will include business leaders, policymakers and community leaders working to tackle the tri-county region’s most pressing challenges. For tickets and additional details, go here.
• Thursday, Feb. 26: Santa Cruz Pride will hold a workshop for executives, business owners, human resources professionals and managers at the Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz from 9 a.m. to noon. The event, titled Elevate LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion: The Power of Belonging, will include real stories from local businesses, networking and more. Speakers include Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez and Sharon Papo, the CEO of LGBTQ eLearning. Register here to attend.
• Friday, March 13: The Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards gala takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Chaminade Resort and Spa in Santa Cruz. Nominations are currently open for person of the year, business of the year, educator of the year, outstanding youth and the community spirit awards. For registration, details and the nomination form, click here.
• Thursday, April 16: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual community recognition awards event at The Grove in Santa Cruz from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Early bird registration is available through March 15.

Add your business or networking events to Lookout’s free public calendar, BOLO. Click here to add your event.

Business news worth reading

• Santa Cruz seafood entrepreneur faces felony stalking, 34 additional charges after years of alleged harassment (Lookout)
• Billionaire Larry Page moves businesses amid California tax proposal (Business Insider)
• Ho-hum holiday: Retail’s early results show modest growth in critical shopping season (CNBC)

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