ARTICLE
By Kristen Brown, Chamber Executive Director Earlier this week, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber proudly joined UC Santa Cruz leadership in Sacramento for UC Advocacy Day, an important opportunity to highlight the impact of the University of California system and advocate for continued state support. Together, we met with key state leaders, including Senator John Laird, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and staff from the offices of Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens and Speaker Robert Rivas, to discuss the crucial role UC Santa Cruz plays in our regional economy and statewide innovation. We shared our appreciation for their longstanding support of higher education, while also emphasizing the challenges ahead. With one-third of UC’s funding coming from the state and increasing threats to federal support, strong and consistent investment from California is essential to preserving UC’s ability to serve students, drive research, and power our local economy. UC Santa Cruz generates over $2 billion in economic activity across the Monterey Bay region and supports more than 18,000 local jobs, from faculty and staff to students and contractors. The university’s reach extends far beyond campus, contributing $190 million in federal and $131.4 million in state and local taxes, bolstering essential public services that benefit all Californians. UCSC also leads in innovation, with nearly $190 million in research funding and 154 active patents fueling startup activity and advancing emerging industries. These efforts strengthen the region’s long-term economic resilience and provide compelling opportunities for young residents to stay, grow their careers, and give back to their communities. Melissa Whatley, UC Santa Cruz Government and Community Relations Director reflected on the event, noting, “UC Santa Cruz is grateful to have the voice and partnership with the Santa Cruz Chamber at this year’s UC Advocacy Day in Sacramento. By joining our campus and other UCs across the state, the Chamber helped to demonstrate to lawmakers the importance of state funding for higher education to our communities and the economic and workforce development benefits for our region.” The Chamber is grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside UC Santa Cruz and our elected officials to ensure this vital institution remains strong. As difficult budget decisions loom, we are hopeful our leaders will continue to prioritize investment in UC as a key driver of equity, opportunity, and economic growth throughout the state.
By Kristen Brown, Chamber Executive Director
Earlier this week, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber proudly joined UC Santa Cruz leadership in Sacramento for UC Advocacy Day, an important opportunity to highlight the impact of the University of California system and advocate for continued state support. Together, we met with key state leaders, including Senator John Laird, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and staff from the offices of Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens and Speaker Robert Rivas, to discuss the crucial role UC Santa Cruz plays in our regional economy and statewide innovation.
We shared our appreciation for their longstanding support of higher education, while also emphasizing the challenges ahead. With one-third of UC’s funding coming from the state and increasing threats to federal support, strong and consistent investment from California is essential to preserving UC’s ability to serve students, drive research, and power our local economy.
UC Santa Cruz generates over $2 billion in economic activity across the Monterey Bay region and supports more than 18,000 local jobs, from faculty and staff to students and contractors. The university’s reach extends far beyond campus, contributing $190 million in federal and $131.4 million in state and local taxes, bolstering essential public services that benefit all Californians.
UCSC also leads in innovation, with nearly $190 million in research funding and 154 active patents fueling startup activity and advancing emerging industries. These efforts strengthen the region’s long-term economic resilience and provide compelling opportunities for young residents to stay, grow their careers, and give back to their communities.
Melissa Whatley, UC Santa Cruz Government and Community Relations Director reflected on the event, noting, “UC Santa Cruz is grateful to have the voice and partnership with the Santa Cruz Chamber at this year’s UC Advocacy Day in Sacramento. By joining our campus and other UCs across the state, the Chamber helped to demonstrate to lawmakers the importance of state funding for higher education to our communities and the economic and workforce development benefits for our region.”
The Chamber is grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside UC Santa Cruz and our elected officials to ensure this vital institution remains strong. As difficult budget decisions loom, we are hopeful our leaders will continue to prioritize investment in UC as a key driver of equity, opportunity, and economic growth throughout the state.