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Santa Paula officials highlight Business Connect outreach, broker roundtable to spur downtown activity
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Summary
City staff and commissioners described Business Connect meetings, local business roundtables at the Glen Tavern and a broker roundtable aimed at attracting employers and improving the housing–jobs balance as part of efforts to activate Main Street.
City staff and commissioners described ongoing efforts to support local businesses and attract employers during the Planning Commission meeting following the Cocina 1912 hearing.
Staff outlined the Business Connect program, monthly meetings that bring city staff together with local businesses to hear challenges and identify ways to streamline permitting and support operations. A staff speaker said the city also holds local-business roundtables every other month at the Glen Tavern and recently organized a broker roundtable to better understand opportunities to bring jobs into Santa Paula.
Commissioners praised the outreach and suggested the city capture lessons from successful local entrepreneurs. One commissioner urged the city to create a resource or toolbox that would help prospective business owners avoid repeated trips to multiple agencies, and staff said developing templates and contact lists is part of their early-year work.
Staff also noted that improving the housing–jobs balance (many residents commute out of town) is a priority for long-term planning and that the city aims to smooth the path for businesses by coordinating with county and state partners.
The discussion closed with a note that staff is exploring a joint planning commission–city council meeting in spring to address municipal code sections and better align permitting processes with economic-development goals.
