The November Cross-Industry (virtual) Forum was attended by dozens of policymakers and economic and infrastructure stakeholders interested in the results of the EconAlliance Infrastructure Survey. The purpose of the EconAlliance Infrastructure Survey is primarily to give key industries in Santa Barbara County’s North and Mid-County areas a voice about the infrastructure needs and opportunities to keep their industries thriving. Broadly distributed, however, the survey provides the opportunity for all industry and community organizations to participate. See the full presentation with attendee input in video format here.

Forum welcome was given by incoming EconAlliance board president Sam Cohen, with an overview of the bi-annual Infrastructure Survey provided by survey founder Dan Deveraux of CalPortland. A summary of the Infrastructure Survey input was presented by Victoria Conner, EconAlliance Initiatives Director (Click Presentation PDF).

All 6 EconAlliance key NSBC industries represented: Ag, Wine/Tourism, Energy, Mfg, Space, and Healthcare. Largest representation was from Leisure/Hospitality, Agriculture-Wine, Manufacturing, Ag – Vegetables/Berries and Retail. In addition, the online event featured five-minute “industry snapshots” sharing information about post-lockdown status, key infrastructure and other industry needs and opportunities. See Program Agenda (PDF). 

Industry presenters included: George Adam, Agriculture; Ben Oakley, Energy; Trevor Orrick, Manufacturing; and Dominick Barry, Quintron.