By Luis Servin, WDB Executive Director
On February 28, the organization Downtown Santa Barbara awarded the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board (WDB) its Business Champion of the Year Award for 2023. This recognition is awarded every year to an individual or organization that goes over and above supporting local businesses in the downtown Santa Barbara district. The organization acknowledged the work WDB staff did during the pandemic both locally and throughout the county, the upskilling opportunities we provide, and our work with the State Street Job Fairs.
Nicki Parr from Women’s Economic Ventures (last year’s awardee) presented the award on behalf of Downtown Santa Barbara. Nicki thanked WDB for the grant they received in 2021 (which the WDB supported), which helped get their Emprendimiento program started.
Congratulations to our entire WDB team, especially our Business Services Strategist, Alma Janabajab!
The news also appeared on KEYT, as seen here.