The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s economic vision for SLO County, Imagine SLO, is the guiding light for all of the work done by the Chamber. Rooted in collaboration, resilience and inclusivity, Imagine SLO is a blueprint for the San Luis Obispo we are working to create. 2019 marked the sixth iteration of the Chamber’s economic vision, which outlines priorities across the following seven focus areas, all designed to ensure long-term prosperity.
- We Before Me
- Doers + Dreamers
- Love of Place
- Empowering Innovation
- Environmental Stewardship
- Lifelong Learning
- Creating Connection
By fostering partnerships, embracing smart growth, investing in people and celebrating what makes this region special, we have continued to build a future full of regional economic success. But as our region evolves, so must its roadmap.
A lot has changed since unveiling Imagine SLO in 2019 – the Covid-19 pandemic, economic and political turmoil, an increased need for more housing, and an upcoming leadership change at the SLO Chamber make now the perfect time for a major economic vision update to continue to guide the Chamber’s work. The process of refreshing the Economic Vision will be very collaborative. We’re kicking it off by taking 30 business leaders and key stakeholders from our community on an exploratory trip of Madison, Wisconsin, an area that’s boldly and innovatively tackling problems SLO is facing. The trip will glean inspiration from the way Madison has created density that preserves character while making housing more affordable, what Madison does to keep young professionals in the city, their arts and culture infrastructure, conference center, education ladder into their workforce and more.
After the trip, the real work will start. The Economic Vision Committee will work with Chamber members, local leaders and other key players to glean community input and goals for the future of SLO County. As an organization, we look forward to the future potential that our region holds and prioritize tangible steps toward unlocking that potential.
These conversations will help define a bold, forward-looking vision that reflects the evolving needs of San Luis Obispo County. With this collective effort, we won’t just respond to change, we’ll shape it, ensuring that our region remains vibrant, inclusive and ready for the future. The newest iteration of Imagine SLO will be unveiled to the community in 2026, and we cannot wait to share it with you!