SESLOC Spotlight: Economic Vitality Corp

SESLOC Spotlight highlights local organizations that make the Central Coast the best place to live.

The Economic Vitality Corp is a local nonprofit providing economic development services and business resources throughout San Luis Obispo County. Maria Kelly, Interim Executive Director, explains how the EVC supports the local business community:

Economic Vitality Corp

Industry: Nonprofit

Serving the Central Coast since: 1994

How many employees? 5

How many volunteers? Over a year, we will convene approximately 200 active industry leaders via our board meetings and cluster groups.  Our volunteers drive the direction of our work.

What’s your mission? “The EVC mission is to stimulate the economic vitality of San Luis Obispo County, generate jobs, increase investment in the community and promote the start-up, growth and, attraction of businesses.”

What’s unique about the EVC? Bringing the public and private sectors together and activating community leaders to identify and implement solutions to local economic challenges and advocate with a unified voice for positive change. Our economic development work has been grassroots as we have taken on special projects, focused on initiatives and policies that strengthen businesses throughout the county.

What do you attribute to your success? Our success has been our ability to adapt to the current needs of the community. For example, deploying the Housing Summit to seek ways to collectively address the historic housing shortages on the Central Coast; highlighting the need for childcare so that parents can work and provide for their families and, advocating for infrastructure that supports economic development, such as the airport. The EVC’s work supports the well-being of all while keeping SLO County connected to the rest of the region and the State of California via unique networks and in 2021, by merging with our regional economic partner REACH.

What advice would you give someone interested in supporting your mission? We believe it is important for our community members to get involved in something you are passionate about and taking a seat at the table. A healthy and engaged business community supports a healthy and vibrant community.