Tri-county performers struggle as audiences forbidden
The coronavirus pandemic has much of the region working from home, but there’s only so much you can do from home when your work is performing in front of crowds of people. Theater companies, orchestras and concert venues in the Tri-Counties began cancelling and postponing shows even before state and local governments banned public gatherings Read More →
Demand spikes at tri-county food banks due to COVID-19 layoffs
In the past month, the FoodBank of Santa Barbara County has quadrupled the amount of food it’s distributing to members of the community. Even still, families will line up hours in advance for food distribution, and supplies will be gone within 15 minutes of the first box being passed out. “The scale is different than Read More →
Small businesses forced to adapt to COVID-19 outbreak
Small businesses on the Central Coast are finding ways to adapt to sweeping new coronavirus restrictions, staying connected to customers even as they keep them at arm’s length. Whether it’s through online orders and curbside pickup or careful limits to the number of customers in a store, business owners are changing the way their products Read More →
Tri-county planning group helps companies pivot during pandemic
Long-term economic planning has taken a backseat to coronavirus mitigation measures, as business and economic development leaders have pivoted to meet immediate emergency needs. For the newly renamed REACH 2030, formerly known as the Hourglass Project, that’s meant marshalling public-private partnerships to source and distribute N95 masks, sanitizer and other resources, often tapping companies that Read More →
Amgen, WEV step up with pledge and online resources
Regional organizations have jumped into action to support communities affected by the global health crisis. Thousand Oaks biotech giant Amgen pledged up to $12.5 million to support emergency response efforts for the coronavirus pandemic, including operations by Goleta-based Direct Relief and the Los Angeles humanitarian nonprofit International Medical Corps. “The COVID-19 pandemic is precipitating a Read More →
SB County response effort to provide $1 million in assistance
The COVID-19 Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County announced March 19 that it will provide more than $1 million in assistance to individuals and families as well as organizations actively assisting members of the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Santa Barbara Foundation, United Way of Santa Barbara County and the Hutton Parker Read More →
Coronavirus-related briefs worth noting
A roundup of coronavirus-related briefs from around the region: • United Way of Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Foundation are teaming up on a COVID-19 response effort. The partnership will combine fundraising and decision-making resources. Initial focus is in supporting food insecurity, seniors, child care needs and health care. Applications for grants will Read More →
