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Image by Jackie Chou

Economic Development

State street in Santa Barbara on a clear


 

Kristen’s Record of Action as Councilmember

Kristen Sneddon has:
 

  • Strengthened Business Investment and Coordination
    Supported the Coast Village Road Association in forming a thriving Business Improvement District, helping create a model for a Downtown Business Improvement District.
     

  • Built City Capacity for Economic Development
    Called for the creation of a City Economic Development position to focus on business support, revitalization, and strategic growth (in progress).
     

  • Created Structure for State Street Decision-Making
    Led the efforts for the formation of the State Street Advisory Committee to improve transparency, public engagement, and accountable implementation.
     

  • Advanced a Local-Serving, Walkable Downtown Economy
    Consistently supported a pedestrian-focused approach that prioritizes daily use for residents as well as visitors.
     

  • Led De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization
    Chaired the De La Guerra Plaza revitalization effort, emphasizing sustainability, community use, and Chumash history. This is currently in the art design phase and will be integrated with the State Street Master Plan to be seen in April.
     

  • Confronted Chronic Commercial Vacancies and Speculation
    Raised concerns about long-term vacant storefronts and speculative development that hollow out the local economy and weaken neighborhood business/commercial corridors.
     

  • Demanded Public Benefit From Public Land Deals
    Insisted that major public land redevelopments, including Paseo Nuevo, deliver real public benefit with transparent negotiations and clear terms.
     

  •  Advocated for Updated Corridor Design Standards
    Working with community members in calling for updating the Milpas Design Guidelines to support a healthier corridor with better streetscape, compatibility, and business vitality. This is an ongoing effort.
     

  • Connected Economic Growth to Workforce Pathways
    Actively working on workforce development through Blue Economy and Green Economy initiatives to build local career pipelines and resilient industries.

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As Mayor, Kristen Will Get Things Done:
 

  • Permitting Speed Guarantee for Small Business
    Create a Small Business Permit Concierge, publish clear service targets, and cut tenant-improvement permit timelines.
     

  • Vacancy-to-Vibrancy Program
    Launch fast pop-up approvals plus micro-grants for code compliance and façade fixes tied to signed leases and opening deadlines.
     

  • State Street Experience Upgrade
    Keep the promenade and fix the friction: shade, seating, lighting, cleanliness, wayfinding, bathrooms, e-bike adjustments, and predictable delivery access. We can bring back Solstice and Winter Holiday Parades. Let’s make a decision and see it through!
     

  • Local-Serving Retail Recruitment
    Proactively recruit everyday-needs businesses and neighborhood services, with targeted outreach and incentives.
     

  • Arts and Cultural Economy Accelerator
    Expand affordable space for artists and performers and cultural celebrations to build a consistent, year-round calendar of events that drives regular foot traffic downtown and supports events throughout the city. Revitalize public spaces with inclusive, community-centered programming.
     

  • Clean, Safe, and Welcoming Standards
    Strengthen coordinated cleaning, lighting, ambassadors, and rapid-response problem-solving with public accountability. Update and implement Milpas Design Guidelines to support a thriving, walkable corridor.
     

  • Workforce Pathways With Local Employers for Local Students
    Expand existing partnerships  with SBCC, UCSB, and employers on innovative/collaborative projects like the “Oceans Collective” and internships at the city, apprenticeships, and training aligned with local hiring needs.
     

  • Workforce Housing as Economic Development
    Tie major public land deals and large projects like the revitalization of Paseo Nuevo to workforce outcomes: deed-restricted units, master leasing, or housing contributions.
     

  • Buy Local, Build Local
    Expand access to City contracting for small local firms and add workforce-development expectations on public projects where feasible and expand on strong local hire and apprenticeship programs.

The Challenge

Downtown and neighborhood business corridors need to work for residents, not just visitors.

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