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Santa Cruz County Business Beat Your monthly pulse on Santa Cruz business and community issues. The Santa Cruz Business Beat is a monthly roundup of the most relevant local news stories, trends, and issues affecting Santa Cruz County. Each edition highlights topics important to business and community leaders, including education, workforce development, housing, transportation, climate, health, and local government updates. Our goal is to keep you informed, connected, and ahead of the curve on the issues shaping our community and economy. On The Move Santa Cruz Invites Feedback on Transportation Plan: The City of Santa Cruz’s updated Active Transportation Plan presents recommended policies, programs, and projects aimed at making it safer and easier for residents to walk, bike, and use other non-motorized modes of travel, advancing objectives related to climate action, health, and expanded transportation choices. First adopted in 2017, the plan is being refreshed with input from the community, and now features a ranked list of projects to guide next steps. The public can review the draft plan and its implementation strategy and provide feedback by February 27, 2026. Learn more here. RTC Ends Agreement with Rail Operator: The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission ended its operating agreement with Progressive Rail on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line after prolonged talks broke down, saying the change will let it push forward with building the Coastal Rail Trail while still maintaining freight service for current customers and keeping excursion trains running. The RTC plans to take over as the common carrier on parts of the line not used for freight and seek a new operator for Watsonville freight, aiming to protect major trail funding and advance long-term transportation goals including potential passenger rail. Learn more in this Good Times article. METRO Launches Free Shuttle Service: Santa Cruz METRO is starting a temporary, no-cost shuttle in the Seabright neighborhood to help people get around while the Murray Street Bridge undergoes long-term construction. The pilot service, called the Seabright Shuttle, runs on weekdays and uses accessible vans to pick up riders within the area and take them to the nearest regular bus stops so they can connect to the broader transit network. Rides can be scheduled by phone or an app and typically require a short wait. Learn more in this Santa Cruz Sentinel article. Capitola Avenue Bridge Reopens: The long-closed Capitola Avenue bridge over Highway 1 between Soquel and Capitola has reopened to the public following nearly two years of reconstruction. The construction was part of a larger highway improvement project, restoring a key route for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists that had been inaccessible since early 2024. The rebuilt structure includes enhanced multimodal features and marks a milestone in ongoing efforts to upgrade the corridor and improve local travel connections. Learn more in this Santa Cruz Sentinel article. Eco Update Santa Cruz Area Chamber Joins Local Leaders in Opposing OffShore Drilling: In late-January, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber submitted a letter of opposition to the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leading Draft Proposed Program. Shortly thereafter, we joined leaders from Visit Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust in an editorial warning that proposed offshore oil and gas leasing would endanger local tourism, fisheries and the region’s coastal identity. New drilling could damage the coastal economy, disrupt marine ecosystems and commercial fishing, and put small businesses at risk. Read our full editorial here. Board of Supervisors Seeks Storm-Recovery Grants: Santa Cruz County’s Board of Supervisors has authorized applications for nearly $13.7 million in federal disaster-recovery funding through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program to repair and strengthen infrastructure damaged by the severe 2023 winter storms. The proposed projects include reconstructing flood-prone roadways, upgrading culverts and flood walls, improving water mains, and enhancing community resilience centers, with the intent to boost long-term storm resilience and public safety if the grants are awarded. Learn more here. Policy Pulse Ryan Coonerty Announces Mayoral Campaign: Ryan Coonerty has announced his campaign for Santa Cruz mayor in 2026, marking his return to local politics after previously serving as District 3 county supervisor. He previously served on the Santa Cruz City Council and was mayor under the city’s old rotational system. He is the first candidate to declare for the upcoming race, as current mayor Fred Keeley will not seek reelection. Coonerty brings experience from both government and academia, remaining active in community leadership and advisory roles. His campaign emphasizes applying this background to address Santa Cruz’s ongoing challenges and priorities, including local governance, development, and civic engagement. Learn more in this Lookout article. Two Challengers Announce Campaigns for D4 Supervisor Race: Two challengers have entered the race for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors 4th District seat, currently held by Felipe Hernandez. Former journalist and community leader Tony Nuñez, who grew up in Watsonville and chairs the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, is focusing his campaign on expanding access to health care, transportation, parks, and other community resources. Watsonville native and longtime community advocate Elias Gonzales is emphasizing affordability, community strength, and safety, bringing additional local experience from his work with nonprofits and youth programs to the contest. They will face-off against Hernandez in the June 2nd primary election. The Business Beat Downtown Association Celebrates Vibrancy: Downtown Association Executive Director Jorian Wilkins celebrates the City’s Downtown region entering a period of renewed activity and vibrancy in her recent guest commentary in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. More storefronts are filled, new businesses are on the way, and significant residential development is bringing people to live in the area, helping support commercial activity and offset past vacancies. Recent housing projects that have high occupancy are under construction, contributing to a stronger local economy and foot traffic that benefits downtown’s businesses and community. Read her full commentary here. Santa Cruz Wharf Repairs Expected Completion This Month: Repairs to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, which was damaged by powerful storm swells in late 2024, are progressing well and are expected to be finished by the end of February, restoring the damaged section and allowing full public access once work is complete. The project has rebuilt part of the storm-torn end of the wharf while longer-term plans for future improvements continue to move forward. Learn more in this Lookout article. IN CELEBRATION Former Supervisor John Leopold Wins a Grammy: Former Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold has won a Grammy Award for his role as executive producer of A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, a compilation album honoring Louisiana musician Clifton Chenier that won Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 2026 Grammys. Leopold, who served on the county board from 2008 to 2020, helped bring together a range of prominent artists for the project, and the album’s success marks a notable achievement in his post-government work in music production. Learn more in this Santa Cruz Sentinel article.
Santa Cruz County Business Beat Your monthly pulse on Santa Cruz business and community issues.
The Santa Cruz Business Beat is a monthly roundup of the most relevant local news stories, trends, and issues affecting Santa Cruz County. Each edition highlights topics important to business and community leaders, including education, workforce development, housing, transportation, climate, health, and local government updates. Our goal is to keep you informed, connected, and ahead of the curve on the issues shaping our community and economy.
On The Move
Santa Cruz Invites Feedback on Transportation Plan: The City of Santa Cruz’s updated Active Transportation Plan presents recommended policies, programs, and projects aimed at making it safer and easier for residents to walk, bike, and use other non-motorized modes of travel, advancing objectives related to climate action, health, and expanded transportation choices. First adopted in 2017, the plan is being refreshed with input from the community, and now features a ranked list of projects to guide next steps. The public can review the draft plan and its implementation strategy and provide feedback by February 27, 2026. Learn more here.
RTC Ends Agreement with Rail Operator: The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission ended its operating agreement with Progressive Rail on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line after prolonged talks broke down, saying the change will let it push forward with building the Coastal Rail Trail while still maintaining freight service for current customers and keeping excursion trains running. The RTC plans to take over as the common carrier on parts of the line not used for freight and seek a new operator for Watsonville freight, aiming to protect major trail funding and advance long-term transportation goals including potential passenger rail. Learn more in this Good Times article.
METRO Launches Free Shuttle Service: Santa Cruz METRO is starting a temporary, no-cost shuttle in the Seabright neighborhood to help people get around while the Murray Street Bridge undergoes long-term construction. The pilot service, called the Seabright Shuttle, runs on weekdays and uses accessible vans to pick up riders within the area and take them to the nearest regular bus stops so they can connect to the broader transit network. Rides can be scheduled by phone or an app and typically require a short wait. Learn more in this Santa Cruz Sentinel article.
Capitola Avenue Bridge Reopens: The long-closed Capitola Avenue bridge over Highway 1 between Soquel and Capitola has reopened to the public following nearly two years of reconstruction. The construction was part of a larger highway improvement project, restoring a key route for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists that had been inaccessible since early 2024. The rebuilt structure includes enhanced multimodal features and marks a milestone in ongoing efforts to upgrade the corridor and improve local travel connections. Learn more in this Santa Cruz Sentinel article.
Eco Update
Santa Cruz Area Chamber Joins Local Leaders in Opposing OffShore Drilling: In late-January, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber submitted a letter of opposition to the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leading Draft Proposed Program. Shortly thereafter, we joined leaders from Visit Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust in an editorial warning that proposed offshore oil and gas leasing would endanger local tourism, fisheries and the region’s coastal identity. New drilling could damage the coastal economy, disrupt marine ecosystems and commercial fishing, and put small businesses at risk. Read our full editorial here.
Board of Supervisors Seeks Storm-Recovery Grants: Santa Cruz County’s Board of Supervisors has authorized applications for nearly $13.7 million in federal disaster-recovery funding through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program to repair and strengthen infrastructure damaged by the severe 2023 winter storms. The proposed projects include reconstructing flood-prone roadways, upgrading culverts and flood walls, improving water mains, and enhancing community resilience centers, with the intent to boost long-term storm resilience and public safety if the grants are awarded. Learn more here.
Policy Pulse
Ryan Coonerty Announces Mayoral Campaign: Ryan Coonerty has announced his campaign for Santa Cruz mayor in 2026, marking his return to local politics after previously serving as District 3 county supervisor. He previously served on the Santa Cruz City Council and was mayor under the city’s old rotational system. He is the first candidate to declare for the upcoming race, as current mayor Fred Keeley will not seek reelection. Coonerty brings experience from both government and academia, remaining active in community leadership and advisory roles. His campaign emphasizes applying this background to address Santa Cruz’s ongoing challenges and priorities, including local governance, development, and civic engagement. Learn more in this Lookout article.
Two Challengers Announce Campaigns for D4 Supervisor Race: Two challengers have entered the race for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors 4th District seat, currently held by Felipe Hernandez. Former journalist and community leader Tony Nuñez, who grew up in Watsonville and chairs the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, is focusing his campaign on expanding access to health care, transportation, parks, and other community resources. Watsonville native and longtime community advocate Elias Gonzales is emphasizing affordability, community strength, and safety, bringing additional local experience from his work with nonprofits and youth programs to the contest. They will face-off against Hernandez in the June 2nd primary election.
The Business Beat
Downtown Association Celebrates Vibrancy: Downtown Association Executive Director Jorian Wilkins celebrates the City’s Downtown region entering a period of renewed activity and vibrancy in her recent guest commentary in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. More storefronts are filled, new businesses are on the way, and significant residential development is bringing people to live in the area, helping support commercial activity and offset past vacancies. Recent housing projects that have high occupancy are under construction, contributing to a stronger local economy and foot traffic that benefits downtown’s businesses and community. Read her full commentary here.
Santa Cruz Wharf Repairs Expected Completion This Month: Repairs to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, which was damaged by powerful storm swells in late 2024, are progressing well and are expected to be finished by the end of February, restoring the damaged section and allowing full public access once work is complete. The project has rebuilt part of the storm-torn end of the wharf while longer-term plans for future improvements continue to move forward. Learn more in this Lookout article.
IN CELEBRATION
Former Supervisor John Leopold Wins a Grammy: Former Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold has won a Grammy Award for his role as executive producer of A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, a compilation album honoring Louisiana musician Clifton Chenier that won Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 2026 Grammys. Leopold, who served on the county board from 2008 to 2020, helped bring together a range of prominent artists for the project, and the album’s success marks a notable achievement in his post-government work in music production. Learn more in this Santa Cruz Sentinel article.