News & Updates

Meeting New Baja & Tijuana Incoming Administrations

Chamber President & CEO Jerry Sanders and staff met with the incoming administrations for the State of Baja California and City of Tijuana to strengthen bilateral relations and identify priority issues to work on collaboratively. Both administrations shared a concern and urgency to address transboundary pollution impacting the Tijuana River Valley and committed to prioritize the issue with measurable results expected within the first 100 days of his administration. Other priorities discussed included advancing border infrastructure projects to enhance trade within our region such as the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry.

The meeting, organized by Alfonso Bustamante, included Baja’s incoming Secretary of Economic Development Mario Escobedo Carignan, and Tijuana’s Mayor-elect Arturo González Cruz. Also in attendance, Carolina Chávez, Director of Binational Affairs and Public Relations at SIMNSA Health Plan, who serves on the Chamber’s International Business Affairs Committee and two incoming officials for the City of Tijuana: Arturo Perez Behr, who will serve as Secretary of Economic Development, and Elias Laniado serving as Director of Binational Affairs.

The Chamber Board of Directors includes a trustee seat for the State of Baja California and City of Tijuana. We look forward to continuing the collaboration with our partners to boost cross-border commerce and enhance our binational community.

 

Elected Officials Reception & SCEDC 30th Anniversary Celebration

The South County Economic Development Council, together with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, cordially invite you to attend the Elected Officials Reception & 30th SCEDC Anniversary Celebration.

This will be an excellent opportunity for local officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders to address important matters with elected officials, recognize the economic accomplishments in South County over the last 30 years, and network with decision-makers.

Please save the date for Elected Officials Reception & 30th SCEDC Anniversary Celebration will take place Thursday, October 17th, 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, at the Coronado Cays Yacht Club (located at 30 N Caribe Cay Blvd, Coronado, CA, 92118).

Tijuana River Valley Pollution Solution Bill Introduced

Representatives Juan Vargas, Susan Davis, Scott Peters, and Mike Levin announced the introduction of their Tijuana River Valley Pollution Solution bill package in collective efforts to address transboundary pollution. The three separate bills represent a comprehensive approach to identify and prioritize funding for projects to lessen the risk of polluted flows:

  • H.R. 3895 North American Development Bank Pollution Solution Act (R. Vargas and R. Peters) – Aims to expand funding opportunities within the North American Development Bank (NADBank) to finance and prioritize infrastructure projects related to wastewater treatment, water conservation, and water pollution. It also establishes the “U.S.-Mexico Border Public Health Trust Fund”.
  • H. Reso. 511 Tijuana River Navy Impact Resolution (R. Davis) – Encourages the Department of the Navy to take a leading role in the mitigation of transboundary spills, discharges, and debris in the Tijuana River that impact national security interests.
  • H.R. 4039 Border Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (R. Levin) – Increases authorization for the Border Water Infrastructure Fund to $150 million per year for the next five years and changes current funding allocation to fifty-fifty between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 (Texas and New Mexico) and Region 9 (California and Arizona).

For over 30 years, the Tijuana River watershed has experienced an increased discharge of trash, sediment, and wastewater causing over 500 beach closures and advisories in the U.S. since 2015. The Chamber continues to work with both the U.S. and Mexican governments advocating for a binational work plan to increase measurable efforts in mitigating pollution. The issue will be one of our top priorities during our upcoming delegation trip to Washington D.C. at the end of this month.

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