|
 The
Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCoC) is a
business-oriented membership organization founded in
1947. GVCoC helps to advance the interests of the Goleta
Valley, its people and its commerce through a program of
service to business and public leadership. The Chamber’s
mission is to foster the economic vitality and quality
of life within the Goleta Valley. To accomplish this
mission and to become the premier business organization
serving the needs of the Goleta Valley, the Chamber
provides Networking, Advocacy, Promotion and Business
Resources:
Networking: Gain contact with
your fellow businesses and potential customers at
Business After Hours Mixers, events, and through
mailings and newsletters.
Advocacy: The Chamber’s Board
of Directors, Government Relations Committee and State
Legislative Alliance advocate specifically for the
business community’s interests to local, county and
state government.
Promotion: Making our citizens proud of our community
through the Lemon Festival, beautiful printed materials
to distribute to newcomers and visitors and direct
referrals of member businesses to potential customers is
a priority.
Business Resources: Most
questions start here. How do I start a business, grow my
business, gain new contracts, get a permit, contact an
elected official, learn new skills, or find the best
resource? Our library of resources and trained staff can
guide you to the solutions you need.
Leadership: Our Chamber is the
Voice of Business, and the Goleta Leadership Council is
one the primary sources of that voice. A group of
community business leaders who support the Goleta Valley
Chamber of Commerce at a premiere membership level, this
group provides long range, broad-based perspectives,
guidance and leadership to the Chamber on issues that
affect business in our area.
 12
things the Chamber did last year to help your business:
1. Kept the interests of business at
the forefront of input on the city’s development of the
General Plan.
2. Lobbied our legislators and other
government officials in Sacramento in person and through
the RLA to fight anti-business policies and job-killer
bills.
3. Formed the South Coast PAC to
raise money and represent business issues in the local
City Council election.
4. Addressed regional traffic
solutions for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
5. Lobbied the County Board of
Supervisors and County Parks Commission to save Goleta
Beach.
6. Mailed a General Plan study guide
to 16,000 Goleta Citizens raising awareness of the
business threat in the proposed General Plan.
7. Hired traffic engineers to help
make positive proposals to the Traffic Element in the
General Plan.
8. Commissioned an Agriculture
Economic Viability Study to analyze the future of
farming in Goleta.
9. Acted as local clearing house for
hot topics and grass roots issues that can effect Goleta
business.
10. Enhanced the local focus of the
Goleta Economic Forecast Presentation to provide
analysis of our local economy.
11. Revamped our Government Relations
Committee to be more inclusive and relevant to all
Chamber members, and used the forum to dialogue with
local government on issues vital to your business
interests.
12. Enhanced annual California Lemon
Festival with better layout, the inclusion of the Goleta
Fall Classic car show, Safety Street and expanded
children’s activity area. Drawing more visitors helps
business and gives an opportunity to local non-profits
for fundraising.
13 ways the Chamber is working for
your business in 2007:
1. Keeping the interests of business
at the forefront of input on the city’s revision of the
General Plan.
2. Presenting a viable local
preference policy for matching the local workforce with
new housing.
3. Presenting a viable
employer-sponsored workforce housing program for
matching the local workforce with new housing.
4. Partnering with appropriate
agencies to update and complete an Agriculture Economic
Viability Study.
5. Lobbying for state Transportation
money and working on a solution to the expiring Measure
D sales tax.
6. Ensuring the business community’s
perspective and needs are considered in the writing of
the 2nd District Community Plan.
7. Lobbying the state legislature on
business-friendly bills and opposing job-killers.
8. Building a new website with
updated content, easier-to-navigate layout, and multiple
portals for members, tourists and visitors, Lemon
Festival and car show, and advocacy.
9. Expanding and funding the South
Coast PAC to ensure a voice for business on the whole
South Coast.
10. Continue to develop
business-friendly candidates for all levels of public
office through the Candidate Development Committee.
11. Revise Goleta Valley Vision, the
Chamber’s policy recommendation and information
synthesis document so that the Chamber’s positions are
clear and actions can be efficient.
12. Providing new opportunities to
promote your business to the community with our monthly
publications and on our new website.
13. Convening the Goleta
Transportation Task Force to analyze conditions,
opportunities and threats to the transportation
infrastructure in Goleta. |
