park, nestled above a creek and below a parking lot, has long been the home of the Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company’s annual festival.“Now, we’re building a 300-seat outdoor amphitheater there.The setting is spectacular—redwoods behind the stage, seating on a hillside—it’s going to be an incredible venue,” he adds, noting that it’s expected to open by the end of the year. Beyond parks and trails, Half Moon Bay is alive with cultural activity.“We have a coastal repertory theater, a Shakespeare group for both kids and adults, and incredible parades like our 4th of July and Night of Lights in December,” Chidester says. For families, these events, combined with the area’s natural splendor, make Half Moon Bay a truly special place to live and work. “There’s a real richness here,” he says, “and it’s a great place to raise kids.” HALF MOON BAY’S RESILIENCE AND GROWTH Like many communities, Half Moon Bay faced significant economic challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.Tourism and agriculture, two of its foundational industries, were hit hard. Chidester recalls how the city responded when it became clear that traditional industries were struggling. In partnership with the County of San Mateo, the local Chamber of Commerce, and other community stakeholders, the city launched the Coastside Recovery Initiative. The Economic and Community Vitality Manager Karen Decker, who has been at the forefront of this effort, elaborates on the initiative’s key goals. “It was always rooted in resilience,” she says. “We’re nothing without our partnerships,” she emphasizes. Collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, the school district, local businesses, and county officials has been instrumental in the recovery process. According to her, the initiative focuses on two key objectives: supporting residents and businesses affected by the pandemic and positioning the city for the next economy. A central piece of the initiative has been the push to diversify the local economy, which, as Chidester points out, has traditionally relied heavily on agriculture and tourism—sectors that were particularly vulnerable 204 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
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