Online hub connects residents, businesses to regional economic relief and recovery resources
Communities and households across the Central Coast are facing severe economic hardships as we try to overcome this COVID-19 crisis, and economic relief is on the way.
Local public and private leaders from both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties have come together as an informal coalition to provide economic relief. Resources as a result of this work can be found at www.RecoverCentralCoast.org.
“Local employers have had to furlough or lay off workers, and residents are struggling to make ends meet,” said Wade Horton, County of San Luis Obispo’s Administrative Officer and Emergency Services Director. “But we are resilient, and we will get through these difficult economic challenges together.”
The County of San Luis Obispo and REACH, formerly The Hourglass Project, are leading a regional economic relief effort in partnership with cities, chambers, and community partners. RecoverCentralCoast.org is the first step the coalition is taking in working together to bring economic relief and recovery to the region.
The website, which helps centralize and simplify access to economic relief resources region-wide, is being developed by local governments, Chambers of Commerce, Visit SLO CAL, Economic Vitality Corporation, higher education, local Workforce Development Boards, and local businesses.
“We are one region, and we need to have one united voice, one coordinated response to the significant challenges facing the lives and livelihood of the people of the Central Coast,” said REACH CEO Melissa James. “The first of many actions of this coalition is to bring access to economic relief resources all in one place”
RecoverCentralCoast.org is a dynamic tool being developed by a network of public and private partners. It will make available the most relevant information and resources for our local employers and workforce and currently includes tax relief resources, information about State and Federal stimulus funding, workforce training resources and local job opportunities. With new developments every day, this team will continuously monitor, evaluate and streamline resources to make them available in a central location.
Central Coast Economic Relief Contacts
“Local employers have had to furlough or lay off workers, and residents are struggling to make ends meet. But we are resilient and we will get through these difficult economic challenges together.” Wade Horton, County of San Luis Obispo Administrative Officer and Emergency Services Director
Media Contact: Michelle Shoresman, (805) 781-5192 / mshoresman@co.slo.ca.us
“We are one region, and we need to have one united voice, one coordinated response to the significant challenges facing the lives and livelihood of the people of the Central Coast. This coalition is a partnership put in place to take action to support the Central Coast’s economic recovery efforts.” Melissa James, REACH CEO
Media Contact: Melissa James, 916-717-2484 / melissa@reachcentralcoast.org
“The impacts facing our communities are not unique, we all are sharing the same impacts and we will benefit in sharing the solutions. I am proud to stand united with all of our partners in SLO and Santa Barbara Counties, as we all aid local businesses and individuals in accessing resources and support.” Jason Stilwell, City Manager of Santa Maria.
Media Contact: Mark Vandekamp, 805-925-0951 ext 2372
/ mvandekamp@cityofsantamaria.org
“With businesses closing, massive layoffs and travel coming to a screeching halt, we see now, more than ever, that in order to succeed we must work together to plan for how we can ultimately bring our economy back. That is why we are partnering on this effort.”
Chuck Davison, Visit SLO CAL President and CEO
Media Contact: Derek Kirk,
559-350-0398 / derek@slocal.com
“The Coalition of Chambers works across the region representing the needs of thousands of diverse businesses. In a time where everyone is searching for answers, a single source of clear, accessible and trusted information is essential. Working alongside the County and REACH, we are committed to ensuring that the best information is available to everyone, all in one place.”
Jim Dantona, San Luis Obispo Chamber CEO Chair of the Central Coast Coalition of Chambers
Media Contact: Jacqui Clark-Charlesworth, 760-473-3531 / jacqui@slochamber.org
“Families and businesses in Paso Robles are hurting and need immediate help. The City and Paso Chamber are proud to be partnering with the County and others to provide that help. RecoverCentralCoast.org will provide up-to-date and relevant information to meet urgent relief needs of our community.”
Gina Fitzpatrick, Paso Robles Chamber CEO
Media Contact: Paul Sloan,
805-238-0506 /
Paul@pasorobleschamber.com
The growing list of organizations partnering on this effort include:
• County of San Luis Obispo
• REACH
• City of Arroyo Grande
• City of Atascadero
• City of Grover Beach
• City of Morro Bay
• City of Paso Robles
• City of Pismo Beach
• City of San Luis Obispo
• City of Santa Maria
• Visit SLO Cal
• Economic Vitality Corporation
• America’s SBDC California / Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
• Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce
• Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce
• San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
• Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce
• South County Chambers of Commerce
