GOLETA — LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc. (“LaunchPoint”), a leading innovator in cutting-edge aerospace electric power generation and propulsion technologies, is thrilled to unveil its expansion to a new, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters in Goleta, Calif. The move to a larger, custom-built facility marks an exciting milestone for the company and underscores its commitment to better serving its aerospace industry customers as well as its growing workforce.
SANTA BARBARA — Recently, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) awarded a nearly $2 million grant through its Pollinator Habitat Program to the Cachuma Resource Conservation District and its partners (Community Environmental Council, Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, and Ventura County Resource Conservation District), to boost pollinator habitat on agricultural lands along California’s Central Coast.
California produces more than one-third of the nation’s vegetables and two-thirds of the nation’s fruit and nuts, of which an estimated $11.7 billion are dependent on pollinators. Unfortunately, due to habitat destruction, pesticides, disease, and climate change, pollinator populations have dramatically declined. The loss of pollinators in California affects both agricultural and natural ecosystems.
CAMARILLO — The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) is thrilled to announce that EDC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director, Dr. Ray Bowman, has co-authored a groundbreaking study titled “Who innovates during a crisis? Evidence from small businesses during COVID-19.” The study, published in the Journal of Evolutionary Economics, provides unique empirical evidence of how small businesses innovated during the initial uncertainty and rapid changes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The jewels in the crown of the collection held by the Art, Design & Architecture Museum — plucked from the coastal forests and deserts of California Modernism — are its nearly 290 archives of architects, landscape architects and industrial and graphic designers practicing in Southern California.
Good news! We just got closer to finishing the 101 freeway project. Recently we celebrated the award of $132.4 million to finish the Montecito segment of the project. This funding comes from the State SB1 gas tax and is also some of the first funding from the Biden infrastructure bill. Receiving this funding so quickly means we will avoid the project timeline being drawn out and just get it done. The best part is this funding will also go towards new electric buses for Santa Barbara MTD, more electric vehicle chargers, and pedestrian/bike path connectivity in Summerland and Montecito.
Honey Bee Day
Saturday, August 19
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula
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Join us to celebrate Honey Bee Day! This family-friendly event offers an interactive bee demo, beeswax products for sale, honey tasting, crafts, story time, artist demo, pollinator class by UC Master Gardeners of Ventura County, and more. Buzz by and learn how to help protect these invaluable, tiny friends. Limited space, register for free HERE.
The County of Ventura’s Office of Arts and Culture and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have been awarded the Central Coast Creative Corps grant, which will provide $100,000 for the County to contract with an artist for the period of one year. The County and selected artist will work collaboratively to develop an art-based project, or projects, during the grant term.
The County has issued a General Call for Artist Services via a request for proposals (RFP), which is the first step in selecting the artist. The RFP can be viewed here: County of Ventura – RFP 6148 – General Call for Artist Services (bonfirehub.com).
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (GVCH) have earned a five-star rating, the highest rating possible, on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2023 quality star rating report.
SBCH and GVCH are among 10 percent of surveyed U.S. hospitals that received five stars, the highest rating.
CMTC: EXPLORING ENERGY AND PRODUCTIVITY SAVINGS: A CLOSER LOOK AT INDUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT CENTERS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM
August 10 @ 1:30 pm
In California, there are four U.S. Department of Energy (DoE)-funded Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) that offer no-cost energy assessments to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) – during these assessments, IACs typically identify up to 10-20% in energy and productivity savings. To further support SMMs, the DoE is currently offering the Implementation Grant Program which provides SMMs with funding of up to $300,000 with a 50% cost share for implementation of energy-efficient equipment based on recommendations made in IAC assessments. Interested to learn more? Join CMTC for this educational webinar!
SANTA PAULA — As the beginning of the new school year approaches (this week), the Santa Paula Police Department reminds residents, parents, and students to practice caution and safety in observance of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and school buses.
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 9, 2023. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be impacted during drop- off and pickup times. Here are helpful tips for back to school traffic safety:
VENTURA — The County of Ventura and the Museum of Ventura County will be holding a series of family-friendly pop-up celebrations across the county in celebration of the 150thAnniversary of Ventura County. The pop-up celebrations will be held at larger festival events and will feature community organizations that will provide opportunities for adults and children to interact and learn more about the rich history and traditions of Ventura County. These community partners will provide opportunities for residents to participate in arts and crafts activities, enjoy performances, and learn more about Ventura County’s heritage both past and present. A full calendar of events can be found at www.venturacounty150.com
SANTA BARBARA — Tuesday, Aug. 1, marked Dr. Erika Endrijonas’ first day as the new superintendent/president of Santa Barbara City College.
Dr. Endrijonas’ new role as superintendent/president marks her return to SBCC; She served as the Dean of Career and Technical Services from 2000 to 2009, where she oversaw 28 departments spread across the Business, Technology, and Health and Human Services divisions on campus, along with the School of Culinary Arts and the Kinko’s Early Learning Center. Since then her college leadership roles have included Executive Vice President of Oxnard College, President of Los Angeles Valley College, and most recently, Superintendent/President of Pasadena City College since January 2019.
CAMARILLO — Some entrepreneurs had been working in somebody else’s landscaping business or hair salon and wanted to strike out on their own. Others had been providing child day care and wanted to expand their services. And some had creative ideas for restaurants, food trucks or themed mobile tea parties for kids.
These were some of the 45 business plans chosen for $7,500 microgrants through Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Emprendimiento Program, a program developed to provide training and access to funding for Hispanic entrepreneurs who have limited English proficiency. The program is run in partnership with CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI).
“Some of these entrepreneurs don’t have a high school degree, so it’s a beautiful thing to help them become a part of the formal economy, whereas they might have never gotten a loan from a bank,” said Associate Professor of Business Maria Ballesteros-Sola, who coordinates the program at CSUCI. “With this program, not only can you get started with your own business, but you also have a mentor you can call.”
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) returns with a fantastic lineup for its 2023-2024 season. The season features five impressive performers including Grammy nominee Perla Batalla, the nationally distinguished Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles, America’s first all-female mariachi Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, music innovator Quitapenas, and dynamic Bordeño-soul group Jarabe Mexicano.
Teatro de las Américas presenta para la familia un espectáculo lleno de humor, títeres, payasos, magia, y misterio.
Escrito por el grupo cómico del Teatro de las Américas con: James Donlon, Alina Cenal, Albert Smith, Mateo Escobedo y Óscar Marrón. Dirigido por James Donlon.
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Teatro de las Américas presents a show full of humor, puppets, clowns, magic, and mystery for the family.
Written by the comedy group of the Theater of the Americas with: James Donlon, Alina Cenal, Albert Smith, Mateo Escobedo and Oscar Brown. Directed by James Donlon.
PORT OF HUENEME — On the heels of the historic state funding for the Port of Hueneme earlier this month, Port of Hueneme CEO Kristin Decas alongside California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and CA Port leaders were in Washington, D.C. last week to meet with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to discuss leveraging California state funding with federal infrastructure investment grants. California ports play a vital role in the United States economy and supply chain with eleven trade ports providing critical pathways for goods. An increase in federal funding will significantly impact the future success of U.S. trade.
The request to leverage funds was based on the $80 million grant to the Port in July from Governor Newson’s 2023/24 fiscal budget. At the meetings on Capitol Hill, Decas highlighted how the funding is crucial in the Port’s success as a hub for fresh produce and cars. The requested federal support will help fund projects to create new green jobs while uplifting the Ventura County community with workforce development opportunities, equity and environmental sustainability projects.
In 2021, we recognized, or mourned (I won’t say “celebrated”), the 500th anniversary of the Conquest of Mexico. On August 13, 1521, Tenochtitlán fell into the hands of the Spanish conquerors led by Hernán Cortés.
It was the beginning of the end for Indigenous Mexico. It was also the birth of modern Mexico, along with a unifying European language. The conquerors also introduced a new religion that was forced to shape itself around the contours of indigenous beliefs.
One would hope that when a student chooses to study the Spanish language, it would mean that the learner will become conversant with native speakers of Spanish. The problem is that “native speakers” of Spanish include both European Spaniards and Latin Americans, whose Spanish is similar but at the same time demonstrate distinctive differences.
SANTA BARBARA — American Indian Health & Services (AIH&S), at 3227 State St. Santa Barbara, will be celebrating National Health Center Week (NHCW) with other community clinics across the country.
Health centers provide preventive and primary care services to over 30 million people and are the first to respond with wrap around care during disasters and health emergencies. Community Health Centers lower health care costs to the tune of $24 billion a year reducing the rate of chronic diseases and stimulating local economies.
For nearly 30 years, American Indian Health & Services has been serving the Central-Coast’s healthcare needs. At AIH&S we provide medical, dental, optometric, behavioral health, and community cultural services to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and members of the community.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura’s Assessor’s Office has sent out by mail approximately 250,000 assessed value notices to taxpayers of Ventura County. These notices inform owners of their property’s assessed value as of January 1, 2023.
SANTA BARBARA – Cottage Health has received two American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
SANTA BARBARA — When four local entrepreneurs launched the coworking space Workzones in Santa Barbara just over a decade ago, the practice of working remotely was limited to a small subset of individuals and companies.
Ten years and one pandemic later, remote work – either partially or full-time – has become a common reality for millions of employees and business owners.
Pam Tanase and fellow entrepreneurs Kirk Peacock, Mike Franco and Lisa Riolo founded Workzones in March, 2013. At the time, they all ran small businesses from home but were frustrated with the arrangement. Their goal was to create an affordable, shared workspace with meeting and conference rooms where independent workers and businesspeople could enjoy the amenities and social opportunities of an office environment, without fixed leases and high overhead.
CAMARILLO — Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice is bringing back their beloved Life Story program. This program is designed to provide both community members and hospice patients the opportunity to record their personal memoirs.
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) proudly joins all 50 states in commemorating August as Child Support Awareness Month, celebrating exemplary parents and families who play a vital role in their children’s lives.
Child Support Awareness Month, observed annually, reaffirms the inherent right of every child to receive emotional and financial support from both parents. VCDCSS remains steadfastly dedicated to nurturing supportive relationships between parents and their children, encouraging co-parents to fulfill their child support obligations consistently and promptly.
No experience required! Free of charge
Sing! is designed to empower young people, from 1st to 6th grade, to communicate with confidence, empathize with others, and encourage creative thinking. Sing! will help children learn about their own personal history through music and provide an opportunity to connect with others through the joy of singing.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 Community Benefits Grant Program. Now in its third year, the program, which is a partnership between CPA and Calpine Energy Solutions, has once again increased funding to support nonprofit organizations working to advance clean energy goals. Eligible nonprofits must be working in the 35 communities CPA serves throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The program’s application period opens today and runs through Sept. 15.
A total of $275,000 in funding is being made available this year, to an anticipated 12 recipients. In 2022, nearly $204,000 in funding was distributed to 10 organizations throughout both counties. In the program’s inaugural year, eight organizations were awarded $75,000 in grant funding.
Using an Afrocentric and critical race theoretical framework, lead author Sharon Tettegah and co-authors Alison Cerezo, Terrance Wooten and DeLeon Gray review the works of four prominent Black psychologists.
VENTURA COUNTY — NominatIons for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) LEGACY Awards are now being accepted,
Consider nominating an exceptional business, organization, or individual that exemplifies commitment to service for:
Older Adults
People with Disabilities
Caregivers
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Find My Genius program, wrapped up its five-week summer session last week. The program is designed to reduce the achievement gap that often occurs over summer break.
Almost 600 elementary school scholars took part, the highest number ever enrolled in the program. Find My Genius was held at schools in the Las Virgenes, Moorpark and Simi Valley Unified School Districts.
Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our partner’s no-cost events and webinars.
Plan ahead! Our full partner event schedule is updated at the start of each month.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura honored 17 employees on Tuesday, July 25 during the regular Board of Supervisors meeting for their dedication to continuous county service. This event was part of the County of Ventura’s Employee Continuous Service Recognition Program which recognizes staff who have reached milestones with 25 years or more of service to the county.
“It is such a special day, and I would like to thank you all along with our Board and all your families and friends and coworkers who are here today,” said 3rd District Supervisor Kelly Long. “Thank you for your dedication and your big hearts and all that you do on a daily basis for our residents of Ventura County. I know they do not always know the amazing work that you’re doing but to take that time today and recognize it is special.”
