Goleta council approves $120,000 Old Town 'Pride of Place' grants to fund 22 small-business projects

The Goleta City Council approved the City’s inaugural Old Town Pride of Place grant program on May 6, authorizing $120,000 in awards to support small businesses and place-making activities in Old Town Goleta. The Economic Development Committee recommended funding for 22 of 28 applications; the total amount requested was $530,407.

City staff said the program’s goal is to “promote the businesses in Old Town by enhancing the sense of place and attracting more customers to Old Town businesses,” and that average awards will be roughly $5,500. Shannon Kern, assistant to the city manager, told the council that staff will finalize simple grant agreements, collect W-9 forms, add awardees as vendors, and issue payments after agreements are processed. Kern said recipients will submit an end-of-program report due June 30, 2026.

The Economic Development Committee reviewed 28 applications during the four-week open period and recommended awarding 22 grants. Kern said recommended projects include a mix of public art, façade/frontage improvements, combined marketing and promotional events, and small-scale public events and markets designed to increase foot traffic. The committee’s recommendations are listed in Attachment 1 of the staff report; Attachment 2 contains all submitted applications.

Kern also described technical support the city will provide to awardees. "Some businesses, especially depending on the type of events or programs they want to implement, may need extra support in ensuring that they follow our processes and follow our muni code," she said, citing mural-permitting, façade guidelines in the Old Town Heritage District, special-event permits and encroachment permits. Staff said the city is partnering with Women’s Economic Ventures to offer optional business coaching to recipients.

Public comment backed the program. Jacqueline Inda of the Greater Santa Barbara County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce urged the council to restrict awards to businesses located in Old Town, noting local grassroots organizing and surveys the Chamber conducted. Phoebe Manser, owner of Copyright Printing and a longtime Old Town advocate, described a marketing proposal called "Old Town Rising" intended to consolidate promotional efforts and year-long themed events to amplify results.

The council voted to approve the Economic Development Committee recommendations and to authorize the $120,000 appropriation. The roll-call vote was recorded as: Council member Reyes Martin — Aye; Council member Kyriakko — Aye; Council member Smith — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kasdan — Aye.

Staff noted the program is new and intended to be iterative: council members urged coordination among awardees and follow-up evaluations to identify lessons learned, and asked staff to report back after the grant cycle concludes. Kern said staff will provide permitting and coaching support and will work with recipients to coordinate timing and promotion where beneficial.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Old Town Pride of Place grant awards and authorization of $120,000 (motion to approve funding recommendations and budget appropriation). Outcome: Approved, 4-0. (Recorded roll-call: Reyes Martin — Aye; Kyriakko — Aye; Smith — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kasdan — Aye.)

- Consent agenda (items A-1 through A-6: minutes, City of Goleta strategic plan, contract awards and amendments including library construction management and professional services agreements, library temporary site policy amendment, and public works professional services amendments). Outcome: Approved, 4-0. (Recorded roll-call: Reyes Martin — Aye; Kyriakko — Aye; Smith — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kasdan — Aye.)

What this means

Council and staff described the program as a targeted, relatively small-dollar effort to help Old Town businesses recover foot traffic disrupted by construction and to seed coordinated marketing, public art and small events. Staff will finalize agreements, provide permitting guidance, and offer optional business coaching; recipients must report back at the end of the program year.