Santa Maria Chamber highlights tourism and workforce growth, honors two businesses of the quarter

Michael Boyer, CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, presented the chamber's economic-impact report at the Feb. 18 council meeting, reporting business outreach, tourism metrics and workforce-development activity for the first half of fiscal 2025.

Boyer told the council the chamber and partners assisted more than 50 businesses directly, supported work toward 7,400 housing units, and saw SantaMariaValley.com record more than 257,000 visits over the six-month period. He reported $3,900,000 in cumulative transient-occupancy-tax revenue through December 2024 and said the Hispanic Business Alliance has grown to more than 200 members.

Boyer outlined workforce initiatives including NextGen CEO, teacher tours, and partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club and the County Workforce Development Board. He said the chamber has issued $125,000 in paid-family-leave microgrants on behalf of the state and plans another round of grants before the end of the fiscal year.

The council and chamber also recognized two businesses of the quarter: Extreme Electronics, owned by Roger Galvin, and The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe, represented by owner Raba Kashak. Galvin thanked the community and the chamber for support, saying, "I wanna thank God. I wanna thank my family, my wife and my kids for supporting me on my crazy dream I have 24 years ago." Kashak described the restaurant's mission to serve authentic Mediterranean cuisine and thanked the community for patronage.

Boyer said the chamber will continue business outreach, expand Hispanic-business programming and advance tourism efforts, including a new visitors center. He also said the chamber will host a housing summit and an economic forecast event later in the year.

Ending

The presentation wrapped with council members thanking the chamber for the report; no council action was required or taken on the presentation.