Month: July 2025

Briana Mathaw

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -A landmark in downtown Santa Cruz, the iconic Catalyst, is now on the market for $4.55 million.

For many longtime locals and artists, this news comes with a sense of unease, as the venue has played a crucial role in the city’s music scene for decades.

“Hearing that the Catalyst is on the market is kind of scary,” Marcus Moore said.

The Catalyst, a world renowned live music venue, was originally built in 1939. It was transformed into its current form by local legend Randall Kane, who shaped it into one of the most iconic music venues on the West Coast.

Over the years, the venue has hosted countless major acts and become a cultural staple.

“A lot of really good acts here. Professional acts, it was crowded. The Catalyst at Friday night happy hour was an icon. It was a part of Santa Cruz law,” a longtime local said.

The venue holds many memories for those who have visited over the years.

“I just remember coming here, hearing some good music, and then walking down to get pizza after. Just good times. Lots of laughs,” another person said.

The Catalyst has also been a hub for artists, teens, and tourists alike, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds under one roof.

“They have a lot of variety, a lot of artists. And it’s also an 18-plus venue for some shows. I know a lot of people who aren’t old enough for bars who go there and enjoy it. That would definitely be a big loss if that didn’t remain here,” one local said.

Now, with the building officially on the market, the future of the Catalyst is uncertain. The current tenant has a lease through mid-2028, but after that, what will happen to this legendary space? Will the new owner continue to operate it as a club, or will it be repurposed into something else?

“If this Catalyst changes, it’s going to change Santa Cruz. I don’t know, it’s sad. I want to see it stay,” one local said. “I just hope that whoever purchases it in the future continues to bring good music to Santa Cruz.”

Marcus Moore, a DJ who has played at the venue, recalls the energy the Catalyst brings.

“We opened up for Pierre Bourne. It was sold out. It was like a line all the way down the street. I’m coming out here from San Jose just to do a little DJ gig, and I didn’t realize how much impact the artists had because it was just nothing but people all the way down the street,” Moore said.

He also emphasized the importance of the venue in the local music scene. “If you come down to the Catalyst, you’re going to be with the real fans, the real ones who know all the music from the beginning for most of the artists.”

Moore sees the Catalyst as an important stepping stone for artists, particularly those who are still on their way up.

“The Catalyst is a big spot for a lot of underground artists, artists who haven’t quite made it to the major label. A lot of times, they’ll be doing shows right here, and then you’ll see them get signed by a big label,” Moore said.

For many, performing at the Catalyst is a sign of success. “The Catalyst is like the hometown spot. If you can sell out the Catalyst, that means you’ve got a real strong fan base,” Moore said.

In response to the news of the venue’s potential change, the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz expressed their support for the continued success of the Catalyst.

“The Catalyst has been bringing music to Santa Cruz for years,” a spokesperson said. “We hope any new property owners coming into the district are supportive of iconic, destination attractions like the Catalyst in downtown Santa Cruz.”

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Briana Mathaw

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The job market in Santa Cruz County is facing significant challenges as the workforce continues to shrink.

Experts suggest that the decline in employment is not just due to one factor, but rather a combination of issues.

From unaffordable housing to the abundance of low-paying jobs, there are multiple reasons why the local workforce isn’t growing at the pace it needs to.

As of 2024, the unemployment rate in Watsonville sits at 13.6%, while cities like Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley are doing better with rates ranging from 3.1% to 4.3%. Experts say the key reason for these disparities is simple, people can’t afford to live in the area.

Josh Williams, president of BW Research, explains that less than one in four households can afford the median priced house in Santa Cruz County, which contributes significantly to the issue. “So that affordability is a real problem. And again, at the end of the day, costs always go up,” he said.

The population in Santa Cruz County has dropped by 1.1% since 2021, and while job numbers have slightly increased, the majority of those jobs remain low-paying.

“You’re also seeing that, you know, your primary working-age population, you know, moving out. And that’s why the populations have been declining,” Williams added.

Locals are feeling the strain of the job market every day, as many express frustration over the lack of well-paying opportunities.

“There just aren’t a lot of jobs that are really robust, where you can make a decent living, or even afford an affordable apartment,” a Santa Cruz local said.

“The market out here is rough because, I feel like the minimum wage is very low,” another Santa Cruz local said.

The affordability of housing continues to be the biggest barrier to economic stability in the region, and the situation is only getting worse.

According to the report, nearly 50% of renters are spending more than 35% of their income on rent, which is a significant financial burden. “That’s a challenge,” Williams said.

The report also highlights that 57% of jobs in Santa Cruz County are in the lowest wage tier, which further limits economic mobility for many.

“Most people that have moved out are really in that primary working-age group. So it’s created a challenge for specific industries that are struggling to find workers,” Williams added.

Another issue is the rapid rise in home prices, which is outpacing income growth. This has driven housing affordability down to just 21%.

One local described the impact of this reality, saying, “I feel like people get kicked out of homes a lot because they can’t make rent or their mortgage because of how hard it is.”

Despite these challenges, certain sectors are still seeing job growth. According to Briana Mathaw’s live report, healthcare, tourism, education, and retail remain the biggest employers in Santa Cruz.

However, industries like defense and aerospace, including companies like Joby Aviation, are seeing the fastest growth in the region.

Click here to follow the original article.

Briana Mathaw

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The job market in Santa Cruz County is facing significant challenges as the workforce continues to shrink. 

Experts suggest that the decline in employment is not just due to one factor, but rather a combination of issues. 

From unaffordable housing to the abundance of low-paying jobs, there are multiple reasons why the local workforce isn’t growing at the pace it needs to. 

As of 2024, the unemployment rate in Watsonville sits at 13.6%, while cities like Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley are doing better with rates ranging from 3.1% to 4.3%. Experts say the key reason for these disparities is simple, people can’t afford to live in the area.

Josh Williams, president of BW Research, explains that less than one in four households can afford the median priced house in Santa Cruz County, which contributes significantly to the issue. “So that affordability is a real problem. And again, at the end of the day, costs always go up,” he said.

The population in Santa Cruz County has dropped by 1.1% since 2021, and while job numbers have slightly increased, the majority of those jobs remain low-paying.

“You’re also seeing that, you know, your primary working-age population, you know, moving out. And that’s why the populations have been declining,” Williams added. 

Locals are feeling the strain of the job market every day, as many express frustration over the lack of well-paying opportunities. 

“There just aren’t a lot of jobs that are really robust, where you can make a decent living, or even afford an affordable apartment,” a Santa Cruz local said.

“The market out here is rough because, I feel like the minimum wage is very low,” another Santa Cruz local said.

The affordability of housing continues to be the biggest barrier to economic stability in the region, and the situation is only getting worse. 

According to the report, nearly 50% of renters are spending more than 35% of their income on rent, which is a significant financial burden. “That’s a challenge,” Williams said.

The report also highlights that 57% of jobs in Santa Cruz County are in the lowest wage tier, which further limits economic mobility for many. 

“Most people that have moved out are really in that primary working-age group. So it’s created a challenge for specific industries that are struggling to find workers,” Williams added.

Another issue is the rapid rise in home prices, which is outpacing income growth. This has driven housing affordability down to just 21%. 

One local described the impact of this reality, saying, “I feel like people get kicked out of homes a lot because they can’t make rent or their mortgage because of how hard it is.”

Despite these challenges, certain sectors are still seeing job growth. According to Briana Mathaw’s live report, healthcare, tourism, education, and retail remain the biggest employers in Santa Cruz. 

However, industries like defense and aerospace, including companies like Joby Aviation, are seeing the fastest growth in the region.

Click here to follow the original article.