Santa Barbara State of the County focuses on emerging tech

Santa Barbara is quickly becoming one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology hubs and that’s an advantage not many other cities across the country have. That was one of the main points of discussion between elected officials and local leaders at the 2026 State of the County Economic Summit hosted by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce at Santa Barbara’s Ritz-Carlton Bacara on Nov. 5. Founding CEO of Reach, Melissa James, spoke about Santa Barbara’s growing technology sector, which includes key areas of development such as quantum technology, artificial intelligence and aerospace. James pushed back on the idea that Santa Barbara is only a tourist attraction. “This is not a tourism economy with a university attached,” James said. “It is a technology economy with ocean views.” She noted that Santa Barbara County has become one of the top regions for attracting major talent, including scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.