Leaders, Policymakers, Stakeholders Participate on March 29th

Cross-Industry Infrastructure Recap

Over eighty community leaders, policymakers and economic stakeholders gathered at the Santa Maria Inn March 29th for the EconAlliance 2023 Cross-Industry Infrastructure Forum. Following five Northern Santa Barbara County infrastructure updates, attendees heard an overview of key County infrastructure projects presented by Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson. View or download his report from the online EconAlliance library here. Following Nelson, a presentation by Erica Reyes, District Director for Congressmember Salud Carbajal featured a summary of the Congressional Infrastructure Investment Act. Find her presentation here.

Infrastructure Snapshots

New Santa Barbara Association of Governments (SBCAG) broadband point of contact, Fred Luna, gave a brief overview of the County Broadband Strategy completed in December of 2022 by SBCAG and the Broadband Consortium Pacific Coast.

John Hartin, CEO of EconAlliance telecom consultant TeleworX, provided a progress report on the Chumash/EconAlliance federally-funded grant project to advance the Northern Santa Barbara County Fiber Ring. Victoria Conner, Initiatives Director, EconAlliance, and United Way CEO Eddie Taylor provided insights garnered from the Cross-Industry Infrastructure Survey analysis (visit library to see the full report).

EconAlliance Workforce/Education Director Alejandra Mahoney (photo, right) explained the purpose and highlights of the EconAlliance Healthcare Employer Survey (see survey summary in library).

Key housing projects in progress or planned in North County were shared by Laurie Tamura, President, Urban Planning Concepts (photo, right). Jackson Washburn provided an overview of the Orcutt Solomon Hills project, planning for which was initiated by the County Planning Commission this March.

Movers and Shakers Attend Successful Infrastructure Forum 2023
Movers and Shakers Attend Successful Infrastructure Forum 2023
Movers and Shakers Attend Successful Infrastructure Forum 2023

This informative four-hour event was sponsored by Chumash Indians, Mechanics Bank, Pacific Premier Bank, Santa Maria Airport, and Northern Santa Barbara County United Way. The event concluded at 2:45 PM with closing remarks from Conner.