Two local businesses, Arrow Plumbing Drain & Repair Service and Trojan Petroleum, were honored for their longstanding presence in the valley and their overall impact on the community during a Santa Maria City Council meeting held on Tuesday.
Arrow Plumbing Drain & Repair Service, located at 320 Oak St. in Santa Maria, was founded in 1991 by Daniel Keuma after he relocated from Hawaii. The company has since grown from a one-truck operation to seven trucks and eight employees, providing services to residential and commercial customers. They are also actively involved in supporting community events and charities. Daniel’s son, Kaniela, has ambitions for further growth.
Trojan Petroleum, located at 1665 West Betteravia Rd. in Santa Maria, was founded 43 years ago by Bud and Ebba Richards. The company has evolved into a full-service petroleum distributor specializing in delivering fuel to farm locations and job sites throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. They are also an independently owned Pacific Pride cardlock site with 15 delivery trucks. Trojan Petroleum is an active member of numerous local civic groups.
The City of Santa Maria and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce have partnered to showcase different businesses in the city through the Business of the Quarter program. This program recognizes two local small businesses chosen by the Chamber based on specific criteria such as having fewer than 20 employees, being in operation for at least five years, being physically located within the city limits, and being a local chamber of commerce member in good standing. The recognition through this program provides valuable exposure for the selected businesses and serves as a reminder to the community of the unique, diverse, and long-standing businesses that contribute to the fabric of Santa Maria. The full ceremony honoring Arrow Plumbing Drain & Repair Service and Trojan Petroleum can be viewed via the City’s livestream of the Tuesday City Council meeting.
The Business of the Quarter program aims to highlight local small businesses that have been contributing positively to their community for several years while operating within certain parameters such as having fewer than twenty employees or being physically located within city limits among others.
Arrow Plumbing Drain & Repair Service was founded by Daniel Keuma who relocated from Hawaii with his business idea in mind after serving as a plumber there for several years before starting his own business venture.
On the other hand Trojan Petroleum was started 43 years ago by Bud and Ebba Richards who saw an opportunity to establish themselves as petroleum distributors specializing in fuel delivery to farms