Goleta approves Pride of Place grants for Local Businesses
GOLETA, Calif. – After a unanimous vote, Goleta City Council members approved Pride of Place grants, also known as POP grants, to support small businesses, many of which have struggled with recent changes in Old Town.
The city approved 22 of the 28 submitted applications. Grant recipients will receive between $1,500 and $20,000.
“We were awarded $5,000 to be used this year,” said Ashley Almada of Avellana Dance Studio. “We will use it to promote a collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club and offer flamenco dance classes.”
CopyRight also received a POP grant. “How will it help?” said owner Phebe Mansur. “If we have enough money and can do some marketing, it would really help.”
Other grant recipients include Blue Blossoms, Buscaron Biometrics, Carpeteria Carpet One, CZ Furniture Solutions, E Salon, Elvira’s Photography and Video, Foster Functional Fitness, Goleta Barbers, Island Seed & Feed, Latiros Insurance Agency, Liz G Photography, NQ Nails and Spa Services, QTC Coffee, Paperback Alley, Santa Barbara Aquatics, Santa Barbara Electronics Supply, Skate One, Peralta, and The Edge Salon & Barbershop.
The goal is not only to make Goleta a place to live, work, and play, but also to revitalize Old Town and turn it into a destination.
But that effort comes as many businesses continue to grapple with the impacts of a controversial $5 million restriping project along Hollister Avenue. The project, designed to increase parking availability, improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce traffic speeds and collisions, and maintain vehicle flow, narrowed Hollister to one lane in each direction through Old Town and increased the total number of parking spaces to 88, most of them back-in angled spots.
Since completion, the city has received more than 70 complaints, with the majority focused on the new back-in parking configuration. In a city survey, 60% of the 88 businesses that responded said they’ve had difficulty attracting customers due to the changes.
Nevertheless, the city and local business advocates hope the POP grants can help bridge the gap.
Councilmember James Kyriaco said the funding will improve both the appearance and energy of Old Town.
“Whether it’s more aspirational programs like murals, or more tangible improvements like new frontage or signage for better visibility, there’s a lot to like about what’s coming to Old Town,” said Kyriaco.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce played a key role in encouraging the city to repurpose $120,000 from Goleta’s Streamlined Business Loan Program for these grants.
The city also partnered with Women’s Economic Ventures to provide coaching to grant recipients, helping ensure the funds are invested strategically.
All the businesses have had to adapt to the new street layout and ongoing construction—but many now say they’re beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
For more on the POP grants visit https://www.cityofgoleta.org
