The COVID-19 pandemic has emptied lifelong savings of business owners across the nation, and the same goes for some right here on the Central Coast. As vaccination efforts ramp up and a turn in the right direction could be around the corner, we look at the future of business in San Luis Obispo County.

“We really got to a point of make or break for our businesses,” said Jim Dantona, President and CEO of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, on the state of business during the second stay-at-home order.

Informed by the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SLO Chamber Board is advocating for a suite of goals that will support community and economic recovery. These key business community priorities were determined after extensive work, discussion and evaluation by multiple Chamber committees and our Board, involving more than 80 business leaders and representing 1,300 businesses and their 35,000 employees.

The City of San Luis Obispo in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce ‘Buy Local Bonus’, a campaign to encourage the support of local businesses, many of which are continuing to struggle due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The shop local initiative is being funded with $200,000 in revenue from the recently passed Measure G sales tax. The City will purchase up to twenty-five $20 gift cards from various qualified local businesses. Starting on December 14, shoppers can turn in receipt(s) totaling $100 or more from SLO City businesses to receive a $20 gift card to another local business.