referring individuals to outside services, the Center’s in-house team can work together seamlessly. The Chamber of Commerce manages the visitor center and spearheads marketing campaigns like “Shop Local” and “Visit Half Moon Bay.” At the same time, the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center offers crucial business and entrepreneurial support, providing programming and mentoring for those looking to start or grow their ventures. JobTrain, another organization housed in the Opportunity Center, focuses on workforce development, helping individuals build the skills they need to secure employment. As the Center grows, it’s also developing new technological resources. “We’re finishing up the tech studio so local businesses will have access to technology,” Giedt notes. The Center also houses Coastside Venture Studio, who will eventually benefit from the same services offered to small businesses and job seekers.“They have this built-in partnership with Renaissance and JobTrain so that startups can work with them without any gaps in service,” Giedt says. It’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed to help entrepreneurs launch their ideas and find workforce and development support. BALANCING OPPORTUNITY AND PRESERVATION ON THE COASTSIDE As Half Moon Bay looks toward future growth, it faces a unique challenge: balancing economic development with the need to protect its cherished natural environment. The city’s updated land use plan reflects this delicate balance. “One thing that makes our region unique is that the entire city limit, as well as most of the surrounding area, is located within the coastal zone,” Decker 207 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 HALF MOON BAY, CA
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