U.S. Department Of Commerce Invests $620,000 For Infrastructure Improvements To Spur Business Growth In Santa Cruz

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz:

May 25, 2021

SANTA CRUZ, CA – The City of Santa Cruz has been awarded a $620,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to expand usable business space in the city. This EDA grant, to be matched with $155,000 in local investment, is expected to create 75 jobs and generate $6 million in private investment.

“The Santa Cruz Wharf is an iconic landmark that offers residents and visitors a timeless Santa Cruz experience. The EDA investment provides funding for infrastructure improvements that ultimately will mean jobs and much-needed economic revitalization for our City. We are so grateful for this investment, which we hope will be the first of many partnerships as we work to sustain the Wharf," said Santa Cruz City Manager Martín Bernal.

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in helping communities implement their plans to provide the vital infrastructure that businesses need to be successful,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This EDA investment will strengthen the Santa Cruz Wharf to allow a new two-story retail structure to be constructed on the site of a recently demolished, single-story building.”

“The investment announced today will help revitalize the over-a-century-old Santa Cruz Wharf with infrastructure improvements that open the door to new businesses, jobs and investment,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “As the state looks ahead to fully reopening, we are grateful for this boost to ensure that Santa Cruz’s iconic attractions continue to draw visitors from far and near.”

“Federal funding that supports local projects to rebuild our infrastructure is the kind of smart investment we need to build stronger communities,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “From spurring local economic development to creating new jobs, this grant will give local businesses in Santa Cruz the resources they need to develop modern retail space to expand and flourish as we recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“As we emerge from this pandemic, we must make immediate investments in local infrastructure to spur job creation and help local businesses thrive,” said Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20). “These federal funds will not just revitalize a Central Coast community symbol, but it will spark economic growth and create jobs at the Santa Cruz Wharf. I will keep fighting to increase Economic Development Administration grant funding to ensure communities like ours can continue to receive the federal support they need to succeed.”

The EDA investment will help fund the replacement of approximately 50 aging pilings, refurbish damaged decking, reinforce the structural substrate, and repair walkways and parking adjacent to the former Miramar Restaurant property on Santa Cruz Wharf. Repairing the wharf structure on this site is a critical first step before development of any future business or use of the space can proceed. Staff anticipates that commercial development of the property, whether for a restaurant or retail, or some combination thereof, could generate upwards of 75 jobs and an initial private investment of around $6 million on the Wharf.”

This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author’s own.