City of Santa Maria presents 2026 North County Economic Forecast

The City of Santa Maria, California, hosted the 2026 North County Economic Forecast presentation on June 19, 2026, featuring economist Chris Thornberg. The discussion focused on the economic outlook for Northern Santa Barbara County, emphasizing the significant impact of the Vandenberg Space Force Base expansion, which is expected to generate over 12,000 new jobs and $5.5 billion in economic impact. Thornberg highlighted the importance of housing development to support economic growth, noting that Santa Maria and Guadalupe have increased housing stock significantly compared to other parts of the county. The presentation addressed challenges such as labor shortages, immigration policy effects, and housing affordability, advocating for policies that encourage multifamily housing construction to sustain workforce growth. While no specific procurement actions or contract awards were discussed, the economic forecast underscored the need for strategic local policy decisions to foster economic expansion and infrastructure development in the region.