July 11, 2019

This year’s UnidosUS  Annual Conference (formerly known as NCLR) will take place at San Diego’s Convention Center from Saturday, August 3 to Tuesday, August 6, 2019. For event details, or to register, please visit the UnidosUS website.

The Chamber is proud to partner with UnidosUS Annual Conference, site of innovative workshops, thought-provoking plenary sessions, that will give the attendees the opportunity to hear from leaders across industries. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of topics of interest that intersect across communities, such as civil rights, education, health, financial empowerment, workforce, immigration, and civic engagement.

The agenda includes over 25 interactive workshops, five inspirational general sessions, and three engaging plenary sessions (full agenda available here).

July 11, 2019

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to collaborate with the North American Development Bank, NADB, on their upcoming XXIV Border Energy Forum. This forum brings together local and state officials, private sector developers, academics, large commercial users, and energy experts from the U.S. and Mexico.

NADB is an organization committed to providing financing, as well as technical and other assistance, to support the development and implementation of infrastructure projects that help preserve, protect, and enhance the environment of the border region to advance the well-being of the people of the United States and Mexico.

The Border Energy Forum was created and hosted by the Texas General Land Office beginning in 1994. Its mission is to bring people together from both sides of the U.S.- Mexico Border to exchange information about energy, economic development, and environmental issues. Throughout its history, NADB has partnered with the Texas GLO and other organizations to grow and promote this event.

We hope to see you at the conference on August 20-21, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. For details and registration, click here.

July 11, 2019

The Chamber applauds our San Diego Congressional delegation for their ongoing efforts to address transboundary pollution along the U.S.-Mexico border. The House-passed appropriations package for 2020 includes $30 million in funds for the Border Water Infrastructure Program – twice the amount approved in 2018. Congressmembers Vargas, Davis, Peters, and Levin’s amendments to the appropriations package will direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allocate funds prioritizing projects that address the environmental crisis along the southern border, including the Tijuana River Valley transboundary pollution.

The EPA and NADBank recently released the Tijuana River Diversion Study based on their contribution to reduce beach closures and transboundary flows per year, which for the last few years have averaged a total of 138 days.

Alternatives include projects on both sides of the border, such as:

• optimizing existing facilities with improvements in Mexico
• a new lift station in the U.S. to discharge at the south bay international wastewater treatment plant for primary treatment

NADBank’s conclusions highlighted a nearly 30 percent reduction of transboundary flows as a result of improving operation and maintenance on the existing system (down to 98 days per year). Meanwhile, solutions on the southern side of the border are the most cost-effective, and continued investment in infrastructure outside the diversion system is necessary.

The Chamber will continue to work closely with public and private stakeholders on both sides of the border as we focus on evaluating priorities and determine a joint cross-border plan of action that our binational region can advance together.

Chart outlining solutions to address transboundary pollution. A Tijuana River Diversion Study, by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and North American Development Bank (click for larger image)

July 10, 2019

The Sixth Annual “Building a Competitive U.S.-Mexico Border” conference featured Ambassador Martha Bárcena, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, Governor Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Will Hurd (R-TX) and focused on the USMCA, strengthening efficiency at the border, and growing cross-border cooperation for regional economic development.

Chamber VP Paola Avila, serving as Border Trade Alliance Board Chair, moderated a panel on border management, discussing the relationship between CBP and SAT; efficiency, cost, capacity, and competitiveness.

The conference’s webcast recap is available here.

July 10, 2019

Mexico is the first country to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement – or USMCA – by a vote of 114 in favor and four against in the Senate. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that the agreement means foreign investment and new jobs in Mexico, facilitating and guaranteeing trade within North America. Mexico’s ratification of USMCA included six parallel agreements between the United States and Mexico.

Canada and the U.S. have yet to ratify the agreement. The Chamber continues to lead advocacy efforts to secure support from Congress which is expected to take up the agreement around the time of our annual Delegation trip to Washington D.C. in September.

Chamber VP Paola Avila coauthored an op-ed on the importance of ratifying the agreement with Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The piece appeared in The Daily Transcript in San Diego and The Record Reporter in Arizona.

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July 10, 2019

Join the largest binational delegation to Washington, D.C. to voice your business needs and collaborate with San Diego’s business leaders while meeting with the nation’s top legislators and policy officials. Be sure to register now as the registration price will increase after July 26. Read the event details here.