This week's Santa Cruz County business roundup highlights major milestones, from renewable energy funding to sports anniversaries and local food industry shifts. Climatize, a crowdsourced funding platform founded three years ago by Alba Forns and Santa Cruz High School alumnus Will Wiseman, has now financed 40 renewable energy projects.
Through its platform, individuals can invest as little as $10 in solar installations and other green initiatives. Since its 2023 launch, more than 4,300 investors have contributed over $18 million, supporting projects ranging from solar panels at a Georgia car dealership to electric vehicle charging stations in Berkeley and three planned solar sites on former industrial properties in East St.
Louis. Separately, the Santa Cruz Warriors, the NBA G League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, will celebrate 15 years in downtown Santa Cruz during the 2026–27 season.
The team was purchased by Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber on June 28, 2011, and played its first game in Santa Cruz in December 2012. Anniversary events kick off Saturday, June 20, with player Chance McMillian signing autographs at the team store on Pacific Avenue.
Plans for a new permanent arena are progressing. In the Pajaro Valley, the recent decision by Martinelli & Co.
to not renew contracts with some apple growers has spurred community action. Local schools and nonprofits are now working to purchase fruit from affected farmers, as reported by Lily Belli.
Business closures and openings include Kong's Burgers and Cafe in Watsonville closing Saturday after six years, with owners planning to travel before reopening at a new location. Unnatural Products, a Santa Cruz biotech firm, has hired Mark Vander Wal as director of medicinal chemistry and Lucinda R.
Hittle as head of DPMK and non-clinical development. H&H Fresh Fish Co.
opened a satellite store, H&H West, in Santa Cruz's Westside neighborhood, partly due to concerns about the Murray Street Bridge closure. Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, based in Scotts Valley, will open a second taproom in downtown Salinas.
UC Santa Cruz dean Peter Biehl has been appointed vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate division at UC Irvine. Miel Pilates is set to open a new studio in Capitola on June 27.
Upcoming events include a free hiring workshop by the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center on June 22, a grand opening for the new Visit Santa Cruz County visitors center on June 24, a CEO Works Luncheon on conflict resolution also on June 24, a ribbon-cutting for Pet Emporium's new Capitola location on June 26, and the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture awards dinner on July 18. Nationally, consumer prices rose 4.2% annually in May, the highest in three years, while ProPublica explores the revival of milk delivery, and Driscoll's CEO emphasizes consumer education for agriculture's future.