Economic Recovery Task Force
About the Task Force
The Santa Monica Economic Recovery Task Force was created in April 2020 and formally launched with City staff members. The Task Force consists of the following five policy areas listed below. A working group has been created for each policy area. The Task Force, along with expert business and community economic development advisors, were brought together to identify key actions item sand local champions for each area.
The Task Force has now been busy implementing a myriad of actions through Council approval, emergency orders and targeted public private partnership efforts.
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Business Retention and Reopening
- Summary: Helping businesses reopen quickly and more flexibly, different configurations and requirements, marketing support via existing Buy Local partnerships (Business Improvement Districts, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce)
- Working Group Co-Leads: Jing Yeo (CDD), Jason Kligier (CCD), and Brandon Ward (CAO)
Business Processes and Permitting Cost
- Summary: Enhancing the existing Chamber-Santa Monica Alliance effort involving Economic Development, City Planning, Building & Safety, Finance and Public Works
- Working Group Co-Leads: Ariel Socarras (CDD), Haley Favre-Smith (FIN), and Jing Yeo (CDD)
Federal and State Resources
- Summary: Leveraging technical assistance for local businesses and accessing loans, grants, and stimulus resources. Expand existing partnerships with El Camino College Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Santa Monica College, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporations (LAEDC) in addition to identifying federal/state opportunities.
- Working Group Leads: Lisa Parson (CMO), Melissa Spagnuolo (PW)
Community and Economic Development
- Summary: Creating opportunities, such as a rental assistance program, job fairs or web-based resources, to connect displaced workers to prior/new jobs and promoting resources and support for those who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 impacts. Tracking child care. Assessing the potential expansion of Pico Wellbeing Project efforts to citywide .
- Working Group Leads: Angel Villasenor (CSD), Carla Fantozzi (CSD), and Shannon Daut (CSD)
Outreach and Communications
- Summary: Public messaging campaign that focuses on business resilience and businesses reopening using communications strategies like “Open for Business” / “Back and Better than Ever”.
- Working Group Leads: Debbie Lee (CMO) and Erin Taylor (CMO)
Economic Recovery Task Force Members
Chairpersons
Andy Agle, CSD
David Carr, Finance
David Martin, PCD
Anuj Gupta, CMO
George Cardona, CAO
Task Force Leads
Jennifer Taylor, CDD
Peter James, PW
Task Force Department Representatives
City Staff | ||
Andy Agle, CSD Angel Villasenor, CSD Anuj Gupta, CMO Ara Sargsyan, Planning – Building & Safety Ariel Socarras, Planning – Building & Safety Ben Delfin, CAO Brandon Ward, CAO Carla Fantozzi, CSD David Martin, Planning David Carr, Finance Debbie Lee, CMO, OOC | Erika Cavicante, CDD Erin Taylor, CMO, OOC Francie Stefan, Planning - Mobility Gigi Decavalles, Finance Haley Favre-Smith, Finance – Business License Ivy Chang, CSD Jason Kligier, Planning - Mobility Jennifer Taylor, CSD Jing Yeo, Planning Kirsten Gellar, CAO Kriss Casanova, CSD | Lane Dilg, CMO Lisa Parson, CMO, OCW Melissa Spagnuolo, PW Nia Tang, HED Roxanne Tanemori, Planning Shannon Daut, CSD Shannon Parry, Public Works- OSE Stephanie Venegas, CMO Steve Mizokami, Planning Steven Torrence, CMO, OEM Tony Kim, Planning |
Partners
- Albin Gielicz, Montana Ave. BID
- Elise Levyn, Santa Monica Pier Corporation
- Hunter Hall, Main Street BID
- Jan Williamson, 18th St. Art Center
- Kara Taub, Montana Ave. BID
- Kathleen Rawson, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
- Kim Sidoriak, Santa Monica Travel Tourism
- Laurel Rosen, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
- Mackenzie Carter, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
- Matt Stauffer, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
- Misti Kerns, Santa Monica Travel Tourism
- Negin Shah, Santa Monica Pier
- Shawn Landres, Planning Commissioner, City of Santa Monica
- Stephanie Elgin, Santa Monica Place/Macerich
Stay informed about Santa Monica's Economic Recovery
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