2022 Predictions
Every year, we ask community business leaders to gaze into their crystal ball and predict the year ahead. Below are links to predictions from 2020 and 2021.
2021 - Jeremy Sandford, Susan Nemitz, Susan True, Ruby Vasquez, Valentina Velasquez, Cindy Larive, Greg Wimp, Isabel Bjork, John Lingemann, Bonnie Lipscomb, Jacob Martinez, Ryan Coonerty, Nada Miljkovic, Bryan Largay, Rex Harris, Drew Meyer, Dr. Gail Newel, Paulina Moreno, Peter Newton
2020 - Nina Simon, Marc Randolph, Joe Burton, David Haussler, Jason Borgen, Aaron Huang, Brad Barbeau, LeBaron Meyers, Iris Kavanagh
2022 Predictions
Casey Beyer
Santa Cruz County like other regions of the state, the nation and the world have faced uncertainties during the Pandemic Era of 2020-2021. Now going out a limb, here are my predictions for 2022. First, Santa Cruz County’s economy will be in full recovery mode by Q3 of 2022—with the development of new technologies that create jobs. Second, the City of Santa Cruz will see new housing projects in construction throughout the Downtown bringing 100s of affordable homes to our community. Third, the winter rains of 2021-2022 will get our region out of our current drought conditions. And, the Golden State Warriors will win the 2022 NBA Championship. Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce
Hilary Bryant
In 2022, we’ll continue to struggle through the challenges of the global pandemic, but we will do what Santa Cruz does best—collaborate, build new partnerships, and support each other. We will remember and care for our fire survivors and work to shelter the unhoused with projects like Veterans Village. We’ll continue to help youth connect to education by providing high-speed broadband internet to families who need it through Equal Access Santa Cruz County. We will protect our natural environment by commemorating our wins with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve and the 30th anniversary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. And with the 1500 Capitola Road campus, we’ll provide increased access to healthcare and affordable housing. Most of all, I see 2022 as a year where — together — we strive to make Santa Cruz a place that we are ALL proud to call home. Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
David Doolin
A normal rain year allows for a little bit of water flexibility. Construction begins on the new library and 831 Water and the Greenway is approved. Venture funds continue to flow in to Santa Cruz. Nationally, the Democrats will loose control of the Senate and 20 seats but not control of the House. Bitcoin drops below under $20,000. Inflation proves to be more systemic at 5%. Petrinovich Pugh & Company
Dave Evans
2022 - It's Not Get a Job, It's Get a Life. 20 million people quit their jobs in the last few months and there's no sign of The Big Quit stopping anytime soon. The Big Quit doesn't show us some new problem caused by the pandemic. It shows an new intolerance for an old problem - my job sucks and my life doesn't work. People don't want a great job. They want a great life with a really good job in it. We get it in Santa Cruz. Companies here address "whole life" not just "work life" better than anywhere and there's never been a better or more important time to get the word out. The country's Big Quit deserves to feed directly into Santa Cruz's Big Hire! Designing Your Life
Philippe Kahn
The two main challenges that we will continue to face in 2022 that haven't been solved in 2021 and represent opportunities are Covid and Supply Chain. Both affect all sectors of the economy. We can't solve both challenges completely. Yet, both challenges need to be addressed. Finding solutions that help manage Covid and the Supply Chain can make a significant difference in 2022 and beyond. AI is the tool for predicting outcomes based on vast datasets in Covid and Supply Chain. Fullpower
Cynthia K. Larive
We have been investing in our campus innovation ecosystem, and I expect we will begin to see dividends in 2022! I am excited at the prospect of additional partnerships across the region as we begin to move past the pandemic. Bringing together education and industry, strategic partnerships have the ability to propel our region’s economy to even greater heights. I am excited to see the continued development of our Innovation and Business Engagement Hub to facilitate partnerships here in Santa Cruz and in Marina at MBEST, our Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology Center on the former Fort Ord base. Forecast for our world? This one is a little harder to predict, so I’ll offer my wish instead. In recent years, so many issues have become politically polarized — from vaccine safety to climate change — with scores of people rejecting clear scientific evidence because it does not align with their political views. I hope that our world can begin to lean harder into research, evidence and knowledge. I agree with Carl Sagan when he said, “Science is far from a perfect instrument of knowledge, it's just the best we have.” We do not all need to believe the same things. We can hold different opinions. But we need common reference points and truthful debate on the most pressing issues of our time. That is my hope for 2022. UCSC
Bonnie Lipscomb
2022 will see the City and developer partners break ground on more than 200 units of affordable housing for our community.
Google will announce its plan for future office expansion in Santa Cruz with the acknowledgment that more of their employees already live or are choosing to live in Santa Cruz and there is no place like home. City of Santa Cruz Economic Development
Mayor Donna Meyers
The City of Santa Cruz will be starting its first 100% affordable housing project downtown in 10 years and will be designing a brand new library downtown with a green roof and new outdoor public space and affordable housing; the Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve will turn 10! Santa Cruz will have a homeless response program that is helping people out of unsanctioned camps and into case management. A new transit center will be under design in 2022. City of Santa Cruz
Chris Miller
Help wanted signs are now commonplace at many retail and service businesses in the region, and if I'm being honest, the level of service patrons receive has been very hit or miss in 2021. I think our community is going to continue to see businesses close as they find a balance between adequate compensation and benefits and the share of that cost passed on to consumers. I'd argue most consumers don't mind paying a little more so that the employees can survive here, but it's also not unreasonable to expect competent service with a smile. My prediction is that the business owners who find this balance and can provide excellent customer service will survive this phase of the pandemic. Cloud Brigade
Kate Roberts
Controversies will abound around how all the federal and state monies get deployed in 2022 with many "sore losers". Crypto will reach new heights and economic impact. Santa Cruz will be lauded as a hub of tech innovation (Joby, drones, tech companies opening offices here ...). Increased weather events from climate change will further disrupt businesses and the economy. More variants and a Covid "long tail" into 2023. Our scientific learnings from Covid will provide a big breakthrough in other areas (cancer, Alzheimer's ...). Sorry, but I think CA is gonna have a big earthquake (just seems like we're overdue!) MBEP
Faris Sabbah
Expect the unexpected. Driven home by the past two years, it’s a lesson that will no doubt continue to apply in 2022. But even as our community continues to face huge unknowns, there’s a lot on which we can rely. Expect that the COE and our school districts will continue to take action to meet new challenges and closely communicate with our students and families every step of the way. Expect that teachers and support staff will continue to lead by example. Expect us to continue to build and strengthen our collaborations with the many partners who have stepped up in support of our community. And above all, you can expect the school community and our partners will continue doing our utmost to create safe, engaging spaces for our students to learn and thrive. Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Jon Sisk
Look forward to the 2022 Summer Season in which construction of three new upper-end hotels in the beach area will be complete. With these hotels coming on-line and the continued improvements to the boardwalk by the Seaside Company, Santa Cruz will re-establish itself as the Top Seaside / Surf destination in the US. With regards to the economic outlook for 2022, as inflationary pressures continue to move prices upward, the Federal Reserve will have to raise the Federal Funds rate (Mid-Year), which will have a “cooling” effect on the economy. Housing will remain robust as Demand far out-ways Supply, but an increase in long term interest rates will reduce the current housing frenzy to more of a normalized market. Santa Cruz County Bank