News

Employer Essentials: Navigating Unemployment Benefits & Workforce Support

Join the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) and the Employment Development Department (EDD) for an informative webinar designed with employers in mind. Learn how unemployment benefits can support your employees during reduced hours or layoffs—while helping your business navigate workforce transitions more smoothly.   In this session, you'll gain insight into:What unemployment benefits offer your employeesEligibility requirements and how the process worksHow to guide your team through the

Santa Barbara Foundation Becomes Fiscal Sponsor for The Legacy Lounge

Santa Barbara, CA — In a meaningful step forward for community-based storytelling, the Santa Barbara Foundation has officially become the fiscal sponsor for The Legacy Lounge, an emerging local initiative dedicated to spotlight long-term residents, local families, and charitable organizations through an ongoing series of in-person events. The Legacy Lounge creates a welcoming space for community members to explore what it means to belong, capturing the voices, values, and essence of Santa Barbara County

West Coast College and University Wine Festival

The West Coast College & University Wine Festival Saturday, June 14, 2025 1-4 p.m. This Festival will provide an oppertunity for universities and community colleges in California, Oregon, and Arizona to showcase their wines and viticulture and enology programs. Wine tastings will be provided by representatives from colleges and local wineries! Small bites will be served by local resturants.  The festival is open to the public and will take place at Allan Hancock College. Tickets will be available for

Vitalant Blood Drive June 25 - Free Mini Klondike Pizza Coupon for All Blood Donors

City of Santa Maria Receives Energy Efficiency Rebate from SoCalGas, Saving Hundreds of Thousands in Annual Costs

[SANTA MARIA, CA. June 10, 2025] - The City of Santa Maria has been recognized for its energy efficiency efforts with a $14,731 rebate from Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). The rebate was issued for the recent installation of energy-efficient pool covers by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center. The measurement used for a unit of heat energy is a “therm”. Compared to pools that do not use covers, new energy efficient pool covers are projected to save the

Adulting Day with BGCMCC

Cloverlane Foundation LAUNCHES NEW Program for Nursing Students at Allan Hancock College

The nonprofit Cloverlane Foundation announced the launch of the Nurses Project, a new program to provide textbooks and other educational resources for nursing students with the initial savings for students of $35,000. Allan Hancock College is the first school selected to participate in what is intended to become a multi-college program.The Nurses Project is launching at Hancock with two initial grants. A new book fund will create a textbook loan program for students in the college’s Licensed Vocational

A.T. Still University Students Deliver 100 Summer Activity Kits for CALM Clients in Santa Maria

Santa Maria, CA. June 2025 – CALM was honored to receive a generous donation of 100 customized summer activity kits from students and faculty at A.T. Still University’s Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program. They were carefully assembled with age-appropriate items for CALM clients ranging from infants to teens, and each one includes a handwritten card of encouragement from the student who assembled it. The activity kits are a direct way for the students at ATSU to spread joy, promote

Santa Maria and Guadalupe City Councils Approve Transit System Consolidation

In a move poised to enhance regional connectivity and streamline public transportation, the City Councils of Santa Maria and Guadalupe have approved the consolidation of the Guadalupe Flyer with Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT). This landmark decision marks a significant step towards creating a more efficient, integrated, and rider-centric transit network across northern Santa Barbara County.Recognizing the close ties and shared ridership between the two cities, and acknowledging the challenges faced by

And the 2025 Hancock Honors recipients are...

Introducing the 2025 Hancock Honors Recipients This year, the Allan Hancock College Foundation is recognizing three deserving honorees who collectively have made significant contributions to the college and to northern Santa Barbara County.   Jim GlinesCo-founder, Community Bank of Santa Maria  Jim Glines (1942–2025) was a Santa Maria legend who raised millions of dollars for Allan Hancock College and other local causes through his distinct homespun style of auctioneering. Jim co-founded Community

Santa Maria Valley Chamber Named One of Central Coast’s Best Places to Work

[SANTA MARIA, CA. May 30, 2025] -  The Santa Maria Valley Chamber is proud to have been recognized as #13 on Pacific Coast Business Times’ “Central Coast Best Places to Work” 2025 list. According to Pacific Coast Business Times, in 2025 there were more submissions than ever, including over 1,400 submissions across 94 different organizations on the Central Coast.  The total list of “Best Places to Work” includes the top 50 organizations with the highest ranking scores, based on submissions where

Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons Joins Cottage Health Board of Directors

SANTA BARBARA—May 27, 2025—Cottage Health has elected Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons to its Board of Directors. A respected physician leader with nearly two decades of clinical and administrative experience, Dr. Fitzgibbons brings deep expertise in infectious diseases, public health and medical education. She serves as Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and holds multiple medical directorships within Cottage Health, including for Infection Prevention and

Chamber Welcomes New Members from April 2025

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of April!April 2025 New MembersAmerican Solar CompanyElectronic Payments El Toro Loco SupermarketHerencia Indigena LLCHotel Virginia, Tapestry Collection by HiltonInn at the Pier, Curio Collection by HiltonMeraz Catering and Events

Chamber Welcomes New Members from March 2025

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of March!March 2025 New MembersAllure BallroomAvila Lighthouse SuitesCorazon Latino Empire Real Estate Group - Maressa Martinez, RealtorOff Broadway Mini StoragePismo Lighthouse SuitesRestoration Masters LLC RowCal Property ManagementShore Cliff HotelSnapit360Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach

Chamber Welcomes New Members from February 2025

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of February!February 2025 New MembersBMW of Santa MariaCommunity VolkswagenFive Star FencingOrcutt Grocery OutletPeople's Self-Help HousingPINK LegalRenewable Properties - EV Fleet Charging HubVandenberg Senior Residence

Chamber Welcomes New Members from January 2025

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of January!January 2025 New MembersAdelina's BistroApricot Lane ForeverGreen Agriculture, Inc.Partners in Housing SolutionsPhotoworks Heidi GruetzemacherRamirez Cleaning Solutions, Inc.Santa Maria SpeedwaySanta Maria TerraceSmart System Booking LLCTrilogy Monarch Dunes

Chamber Welcomes New Members from December 2024

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of December!December 2024 New MembersLLCArclight MediaEdward Jones - Office of Alid GonzalezLittle House by the Park Santa Maria Youth and Family CenterWilliams Bros. Properties, Inc.

Leadership Santa Maria Valley Youth & Education Day

“Messy Play” encouraged in Certified Outdoor Classrooms at two different facilities and a Community College program that boasts a nearly 100% transfer rate were just a couple of highlights at Leadership Santa Maria Valley’s most recent session as we gathered to learn more about Education and Youth Services.   The day began with breakfast sponsored by Celeste Coelho-Hudson, and food provided by Panera Bread at the YMCA. Following breakfast, we enjoyed an in-depth tour of the YMCA Preschool where we

Chamber Welcomes New Members from November 2024

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of November! November 2024 New MembersLLCBBSI - Santa MariaBBSI - Santa BarbaraEb5 Investors Mision Libertad Vasquez Financial Group

Chamber Welcomes New Members from October 2024

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of October! October 2024 New MembersLLCBeen There Caught That LLCCentral Coast Web DesignEdward Jones - Troy ProberIdler's HomeIdler's Home - SLO Sleep & Comfort StudioJAYBIRD Brand + Creative + Marketing ConsultancySerendipity Event RentalsSMI HVAC ServicesValley View Estates Homes

Chamber Welcomes New Members from September 2024

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of September! September 2024 New MembersDiversity Coalition San Luis Obispo CountyNow Realty Brokered by eXp Paul CookRed RobinSanta Maria Firefighters Local 2020U.S. Bank U.S. Bank Mortgage

Chamber Welcomes New Members from August 2024

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of August! August 2024 New MembersAdi Ringer PhotographyCen Cal Business Finance Group Glenn MorrisLincoln Group Inc. & Lincoln IndustrialReadyWork IncWicks Roofing and Solar

Chamber Welcomes New Members from July 2024

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of July! July 2024 New MembersBeso Cocina / 1920 SpeakeasyCapuno’s Lutong BahayOld Orcutt YarnerySanta Maria Tax and Bookkeeping ServiceSKYWAY NIGHTSVere Marketing Group

Chamber Welcomes New Members from June 2024

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of June! June 2024 New MembersA Mi Manera Mexican Cuisine & MariscosCassia ApartmentsAmeriCorpsCity of Santa Maria Transit DivisionCentral Courier LLCTheodore Harmand AppraisalsWalkthrough ProductionsWater Fixers Plumbing & Filtration, Inc.