# Santa Catarina 2026 economic developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/santa-catarina-2026-economic-developments > Updated: 2026-08-06T20:15:39.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. In July 2026 the Transcatarina off‑road adventure attracted about a thousand participants to Santa Catarina, with six local residents completing the four‑day, 600‑km trek. Organisers estimated the event generated more than R$ 3.5 million for hotels, restaurants, fuel stations and other businesses, highlighting tourism’s short‑term boost to the regional economy. By early August, the focus shifted to the state’s longer‑term economic dynamism. Eleven Santa Catarina firms were named among Brazil’s most innovative companies in the Valor Innovation Brazil 2026 awards, with leaders such as WEG, Whirlpool, ArcelorMittal and others earning top spots across sectors from electro‑electronics to steel production. The awards underscored the role of the Instituto SENAI de Inovação e Tecnologia de Santa Catarina in supporting research, development and digital transformation, signalling a broader pattern of growth that combines event‑driven tourism with sustained industrial innovation. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: Santa Catarina firms dominate Brazil's innovation rankings Eleven Santa Catarina companies, led by WEG, were named among Brazil's most innovative firms in the Valor Innovation Brazil 2026 awards across multiple sectors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-catarina-firms-dominate-brazils-innovation-rankings ### 2026-07-16: Transcatarina 2026 off‑road adventure drives economic boost in Santa Catarina Six Cotia residents tackled 600 km of rugged terrain in the Transcatarina 2026 off‑road event, boosting Santa Catarina’s local economy by over R$ 3.5 million. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/transcatarina-2026-offroad-adventure-drives-economic-boost-in-santa-catarina --- Cite as: Santa Catarina 2026 economic developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/santa-catarina-2026-economic-developments