ARTICLE
As most readers of the Chamber’s weekly eNews know, we dedicate a lot of time writing about local projects, programs and policies that have an impact (positive or negative) on the economic vitality of our region. The Chamber, as a business organization, is responsible for ensuring the community's economic resources are preserved and well utilized. We believe in the operation of a competitive marketplace and in general, oppose efforts to control the supply and demand of goods and services. We value a high quality of life and expect our community to be welcoming to residents and visitors alike. We expect our streets to be safe, our parks to be inviting, our schools to provide quality education, and our natural resources to be sensitively utilized for the public good. Over many decades the Chamber has been an independent voice of the business community, the Chamber has been a catalyst for finding a balance between our economy and protecting our natural environment. Next month, on April 6, 2023, the Chamber will celebrate the community and recognize individuals, businesses and organizations at our annual Community Recognition Gala hosted at the Cocoanut Grove. You can review our 2023 Honorees here: Annual Community Celebration 2023. This is one of the largest and longest-running community events in Santa Cruz County. I hope you will join us. Why be a part of the Chamber and what do we do to promote our region? Here is a snapshot look at our history since 1889. The Chamber was instrumental in working with the environmental community to create the first state park in Big Basin. Chamber members helped construct the road to Big Basin in the early 1900s. In 1910, the Chamber established a committee to construct a municipal wharf for shipping and fishing. The Chamber issued $165K in bonds to be guaranteed by the city to build the new wharf in 1913, which celebrated its centennial back in 2013. To beautify the area near the beach, the Chamber established the Chamber of Commerce Park in 1910 on the spot of the current home of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz. The Chamber installed sidewalks, trees and shrubbery, a pergola, and a “public necessity.” Nearly a century later in the 1990s, the Chamber was one of the first business organizations to support the creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In 1938, the Chamber supported early surfers who formed a surf club and with the help of the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce Jaycees, built the Santa Cruz Surf Club Members' Barn on Bay Street, just a few blocks from Cowell's Beach. In December 1955, the San Lorenzo River flooded downtown Santa Cruz with 10 feet of water and wrecked nearly 100 homes through the San Lorenzo Valley. After the waters receded, the Santa Cruz County Chamber was a leader in rebuilding after the flood, aiding flood victims, creating a committee to approve low-cost loans, advising Red Cross disaster officials, setting up a federally aided urban renewal program, and assisting in the army engineers survey of losses. The sixties in Santa Cruz were a time of social and political changes. Chamber membership was at record highs and the Chamber processed a record number of tourist inquiries. The Chamber worked to bring the University of California to Santa Cruz, supported the development of the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, and created the Santa Cruz Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Chamber helped prepare a master harbor plan, secured funds from Congress, and in 1963, the Santa Cruz Harbor was completed. Chamber leader and Santa Cruz Sentinel Editor, Gordon "Scotch" Sinclair, worked to secure the land for the University of California to establish a campus in Santa Cruz. In 1965, the University of California Santa Cruz was opened. As awareness of the need to protect the quality of life and the importance of environmental stewardship grew in Santa Cruz, the Chamber helped develop historical preservation ordinances and environmental studies, while continuing to promote clean, sustainable businesses in the county. In 1975, the Chamber participated in developing Santa Cruz's historical preservation ordinance, established to protect the City’s historic and architectural resources. The Chamber continued to support developing businesses, and in 1975 set up a local development corporation to help fund facilities for small industries and free counseling services and classes for small businesses in the seventies. In 1977, the Chamber worked with city officials to develop a master environmental impact report for the city. Just as the Chamber was instrumental in building up Santa Cruz county businesses, infrastructure, and industries in 1889, 100 years later in 1989, the Santa Cruz County Chamber was a leader in rebuilding Santa Cruz after the earthquake. The Chamber was the principal sponsor of the tents that temporarily housed downtown Santa Cruz businesses after the earthquake. And when the dust cleared, the Chamber was instrumental in planning the downtown rebirth. The Agency for Rebuilding Downtown Santa Cruz formed in 1990 was led by Chamber Executive Director, John Lisher. You can see a video about the Chamber as we celebrated our 130 years of service to Santa Cruz County: Celebrating 130 Years of Service to Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz County is a vibrant, resilient community. We are tackling the latest round of winter storms that are overwhelming our beaches, our city and county road systems and other infrastructure facilities, bridges, piers and local businesses and residents. It is a long recovery process, and for certain, your Chamber will be there every step of the way.
As most readers of the Chamber’s weekly eNews know, we dedicate a lot of time writing about local projects, programs and policies that have an impact (positive or negative) on the economic vitality of our region.
The Chamber, as a business organization, is responsible for ensuring the community's economic resources are preserved and well utilized. We believe in the operation of a competitive marketplace and in general, oppose efforts to control the supply and demand of goods and services. We value a high quality of life and expect our community to be welcoming to residents and visitors alike. We expect our streets to be safe, our parks to be inviting, our schools to provide quality education, and our natural resources to be sensitively utilized for the public good. Over many decades the Chamber has been an independent voice of the business community, the Chamber has been a catalyst for finding a balance between our economy and protecting our natural environment.
Next month, on April 6, 2023, the Chamber will celebrate the community and recognize individuals, businesses and organizations at our annual Community Recognition Gala hosted at the Cocoanut Grove. You can review our 2023 Honorees here: Annual Community Celebration 2023. This is one of the largest and longest-running community events in Santa Cruz County. I hope you will join us.
Why be a part of the Chamber and what do we do to promote our region? Here is a snapshot look at our history since 1889.
The Chamber was instrumental in working with the environmental community to create the first state park in Big Basin. Chamber members helped construct the road to Big Basin in the early 1900s. In 1910, the Chamber established a committee to construct a municipal wharf for shipping and fishing. The Chamber issued $165K in bonds to be guaranteed by the city to build the new wharf in 1913, which celebrated its centennial back in 2013.
To beautify the area near the beach, the Chamber established the Chamber of Commerce Park in 1910 on the spot of the current home of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz. The Chamber installed sidewalks, trees and shrubbery, a pergola, and a “public necessity.” Nearly a century later in the 1990s, the Chamber was one of the first business organizations to support the creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
In 1938, the Chamber supported early surfers who formed a surf club and with the help of the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce Jaycees, built the Santa Cruz Surf Club Members' Barn on Bay Street, just a few blocks from Cowell's Beach.
In December 1955, the San Lorenzo River flooded downtown Santa Cruz with 10 feet of water and wrecked nearly 100 homes through the San Lorenzo Valley. After the waters receded, the Santa Cruz County Chamber was a leader in rebuilding after the flood, aiding flood victims, creating a committee to approve low-cost loans, advising Red Cross disaster officials, setting up a federally aided urban renewal program, and assisting in the army engineers survey of losses.
The sixties in Santa Cruz were a time of social and political changes. Chamber membership was at record highs and the Chamber processed a record number of tourist inquiries. The Chamber worked to bring the University of California to Santa Cruz, supported the development of the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, and created the Santa Cruz Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Chamber helped prepare a master harbor plan, secured funds from Congress, and in 1963, the Santa Cruz Harbor was completed.
Chamber leader and Santa Cruz Sentinel Editor, Gordon "Scotch" Sinclair, worked to secure the land for the University of California to establish a campus in Santa Cruz. In 1965, the University of California Santa Cruz was opened.
As awareness of the need to protect the quality of life and the importance of environmental stewardship grew in Santa Cruz, the Chamber helped develop historical preservation ordinances and environmental studies, while continuing to promote clean, sustainable businesses in the county.
In 1975, the Chamber participated in developing Santa Cruz's historical preservation ordinance, established to protect the City’s historic and architectural resources. The Chamber continued to support developing businesses, and in 1975 set up a local development corporation to help fund facilities for small industries and free counseling services and classes for small businesses in the seventies.
In 1977, the Chamber worked with city officials to develop a master environmental impact report for the city.
Just as the Chamber was instrumental in building up Santa Cruz county businesses, infrastructure, and industries in 1889, 100 years later in 1989, the Santa Cruz County Chamber was a leader in rebuilding Santa Cruz after the earthquake. The Chamber was the principal sponsor of the tents that temporarily housed downtown Santa Cruz businesses after the earthquake. And when the dust cleared, the Chamber was instrumental in planning the downtown rebirth. The Agency for Rebuilding Downtown Santa Cruz formed in 1990 was led by Chamber Executive Director, John Lisher.
You can see a video about the Chamber as we celebrated our 130 years of service to Santa Cruz County: Celebrating 130 Years of Service to Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz County is a vibrant, resilient community. We are tackling the latest round of winter storms that are overwhelming our beaches, our city and county road systems and other infrastructure facilities, bridges, piers and local businesses and residents. It is a long recovery process, and for certain, your Chamber will be there every step of the way.