Several new businesses, a growing cannabis industry and a few housing projects prompted Lompoc’s mayor to proclaim a positive outlook for the city.
“The future is looking brighter for our city as we emerge from the pandemic,” Mayor Jenelle Osborne said Wednesday.
Lompoc’s State of the City presentation was organized by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and held virtually. Post-presentation questions, read by chamber leader Amber Wilson, focused on public safety funding, possible annexation of Vandenberg Village and other nearby communities, and other topics.
“Exciting business projects are underway,” Osborne said.
In the coming year, work on The Human Bean and Dutch Bros. Coffee shops should start after recently earning approvals from the Planning Commission.
“Many of you have asked, ‘What’s going on at Vons?’ Well, I can confirm it will not remain empty,” the mayor said of the recently closed grocery store.
Two businesses — an Aldi discount grocery store and Boot Barn — plan to open in the former Vons building after the recent closure.
“So that will make sure that neighborhood does not lose out on a walkable, close grocery store,” she said.
In late February, Vons confirmed the fate of store #1738 at 729 North H St., with the fuel station closing several weeks later.
Details that the company filed with the state Employment Development Department said the store’s permanent closure would affect 118 jobs as of May 10, according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification.
Albertsons store #3171 at 1500 North H St. remains open.
Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic led to shutdowns, Lompoc voters’ approval of Measure I, a 1% sales tax hike, “really helped our city push through this challenging time,” Osborne said.
“The sales tax will help us with any losses in the short term and has long-term applications for paying down our unfunded liability,” she said, referring to the California Public Employees Retirement System.
But the big growth in Lompoc continues to be cannabis, with additional dispensaries expected to open, while Mustang Cannabis and Organic Liberty Cannabis plan cultivation operations.
“And Central Coast Agriculture is building a 40-acre campus in our community to become its world headquarters,” the mayor said.
Other agriculture also will expand. A longtime local grower, Lompoc Valley Cooling, linked to Campbell Ranches, plans to build a box warehouse, the mayor said.
Lompoc has a few new housing projects in the works, including one for homeless veterans. Additionally, a 24-unit housing project expects to break ground this year, she said.
“We look forward to more homes being built in the future,” she said.
One project proposes a mixed-use development along North H Street with businesses on the first level and residential units on the second level of the building.
The mayor urged job seekers to consider applying to the city since many departments are operating at 50% staffing because of vacancies.
“We have lots of open positions, and these open positions impact the service we can provide to the community,” Osborne said.
In other areas, she noted that a September launch of an Atlas V rocket with the latest Landsat 9 Earth-observing satellite will include a month of festivities — a mural, trivia nights and educational opportunities — leading up to the daytime departure.
The city’s Beattie Park recently received a new inclusive playground, reportedly the largest of its kind in Santa Barbara County.
“I think that is something for all us to be very proud of,” she said.
The park also includes a workout area for adults, a pavilion available for rental, and table tennis, checkers and chess areas.
Osborne also mentioned the recent launch of the Lompoc Outdoor Community Market, which last Saturday sold out of its spaces for vendors in addition to offering walk-up COVID-19 vaccine shots.
The market, operated by the city’s Recreation Division, runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays in the parking lot on West Ocean Avenue between I and J streets.
“I look forward to seeing you all there and supporting our local businesses,” she said.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.