News & Updates

Member Spotlight: Central Michigan University

Member Spotlight

December 18, 2019

Central Mic

Fall scenics at Central Michigan University. Photo by Steve Jessmore/Central Michigan University

In 1995, Central Michigan University held its first classes in San Diego. They’ve been here ever since, serving the educational needs of the men and women at Camp Pendleton and the San Diego business community with their online programs.

Founded in 1892, CMU is a regionally accredited state university. They are an inclusive community where students from diverse backgrounds join together, surrounded by support and make lifelong connections. CMU welcomes all learners from traditional students on their main campus to working adults at their satellite locations, including their Camp Pendleton Center, and online students around the world.

CMU has been an innovator in online programs for almost 50 years. They offer certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees online. This includes their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and their AACSB-accredited MBA in 10 emphases including human resources, project management, and marketing. They offer a wide variety of health care degrees including the MHA, MPH, DHA and their newest program, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing for registered nurses.

They have a variety of cybersecurity-related programs from undergraduate and graduate certificates to the Master of Science in Information Systems. If you’re ready to start your own business, the Master of Entrepreneurial Ventures teaches you everything you need to know to set up, fund, protect, build, and manage your own high-growth venture.

Their most popular program is the Master of Science in Administration. In 12 eight-week courses, you learn the administration skills you need and the leadership and emotional intelligence abilities that will set you apart and prepare you to build and manage strong, effective teams.

The entire M.S. in Administration is available online in 15 concentrations, so you can customize this versatile degree to your career goals. The core courses of the MSA also are taught at their Camp Pendleton Center along with some of their most popular concentrations.

Learn more today by calling Vickie Schuman at 706-725-0485 or emailing Camp.Pendleton@cmich.edu. More information can be found online at cmich.edu/global.

2020 International Business Affairs Forums

InternationalNewsPolicy

December 17, 2019

With a $255 billion economy, the Cali-Baja Mega-Region represents a tremendous growth opportunity for all industries, including manufacturing, biotech, agriculture, clean tech, and more. Through the International Business Affairs Forums, the Chamber provides business leaders the essential knowledge and resources needed to thrive within the binational marketplace. Attendees also have the opportunity to build and strengthen new relationships, exchange ideas, and debate policies that are relevant to the Cali-Baja business community. Meetings are held bimonthly at the San Diego Regional Chamber office or in Tijuana.

As we plan for our upcoming forums, we appreciate your suggestions on topics for next year’s forums. You can email your topic ideas to IBA Director Kenia Zamarripa.

Please register for the upcoming International Business Affairs Forum on binational healthcare which will take place on Thursday, January 30 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in Tijuana.

Chamber Committees Call for Interest for 2020

NewsPolicySan Diego

December 11, 2019

Each year, the Chamber puts out a call for committee interest to ensure that eligible Chamber members are participating in the various policy vehicles available to them. For 2020, the Chamber team is pleased to announce rebranding of some committees, and looks forward to increasing our member engagement. Friendly reminder: even if you are already participating in one committee, you may be eligible to participate in additional committees, or assign the appropriate staff member to more!

U.S. Military Installations Expanding Access to Retail Privileges

NewsPolicySan Diego

December 11, 2019

Thanks to the passage of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, effective January 1, 2020, veterans with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, and former prisoners of war will be eligible to access U.S. military installations’ commissaries, military exchanges, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) privileges. Eligibility is defined in the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 which was included in the larger legislation package of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. You can learn more about terms of eligibility here.

Read the original press release from the Department of Defense here.

Chamber Partners on Event to Explore Airport Transit

NewsPolicySan Diego

December 11, 2019

At an event exploring transit options to San Diego airport, attendees first heard from Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) leadership on the current state of transit as well as Elevate SD 2020 – the potential ballot measure to raise funds for transit projects around the region. Folks then boarded an all-electric MTS bus that took the 992 route to the airport. While en route, attendees heard from Airport Authority staff on the Airport Development Plan, which is the blueprint for the Terminal 1 redevelopment, and learned about current and planned transit connectivity to and from the airport. The Chamber was excited to partner with Circulate San Diego on this event to explore transit options to the airport.

 

Chamber Opposes Potential New Reporting Regulations for Fleets

NewsPolicy

December 11, 2019

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently proposed new reporting regulations aimed and understanding vehicle fleets. Organizations (including government agencies) with 100+ trucks in their fleets or annual grosses over $50 million would be required to report a wide array of detailed information relating to the vehicles in their fleet, fleet facilities, contracting and subcontracting practices, delivery locations, and purpose of deliveries to CARB. CARB then plans to use this information to make decisions around requirements to electrify commercial vehicles. As proposed, this regulation will impose new costly and burdensome reporting requirements on businesses and puts their data security at risk.

SDRCC signed on to a coalition letter organized by CalChamber with several other trade groups and associations, which was submitted earlier this week, opposing these burdensome regulations. The regulation was heard by CARB on December 12, and will be heard again at an additional meeting, which has yet to be scheduled. A final decision is anticipated to be made in early 2020.

The Chamber is monitoring this issue closely and will update members with CARB’s decision.

Department of Defense Requests Additional Industry Input on 5G Technology

NewsPolicySan Diego

December 11, 2019

Last month, we highlighted the Department of Defense’s (DOD) announcement that Naval Base San Diego was selected as a host testing and experimentation site for 5G technology. On Monday, December 9, the DOD published a second special notice requesting additional input from industry. Industry input from this notice will inform the Request for Prototype Proposals at Naval Base San Diego and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Responses to this notice are due December 23, 2019. The Special Notice can be accessed here.

Compromise Reached on Inclusionary Housing Ordinance

NewsPolicySan Diego

December 11, 2019

On Tuesday, December 10, San Diego City Council voted to pass a revised inclusionary housing ordinance. The newest version of the proposal represents a compromise policy that was agreed to by the Chamber and fellow coalition members following over a year of stakeholder discussions and previous versions of the proposal. Of note, the recently accepted version adequately addresses major sticking points that include vesting language to protect pipeline projects, phase-in timing, and the percentage of affordable units required per project if built on-site and their level of affordability. Additional coverage of the Council meeting may be reviewed here.

White House, House Democrats Reach USMCA Deal

InternationalNewsPolicy

December 11, 2019

On Tuesday, December 10, a revised U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, known as the USMCA, was signed by the three countries in a ceremony held in Mexico City. The USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico approved the USMCA on Thursday evening by a wide margin, 107-1. A vote in the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take place Thursday with the Senate taking it up in the new year.

The full text of the USMCA as agreed to by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, can be found here. To read the text of the implementation bill click here.

Highlights from the agreement:

  • Assistance for small & medium-sized businesses
  • Customs efficiencies will reduce border wait times
  • Authorization of North American Development Bank
  • Funding for EPA grants under the Border Water Infrastructure Program to address pollution on the U.S.-Mexico border

The Chamber issued a statement in support of the deal and urging Congressional leaders to vote in support of the agreement.

“Today marks a significant step towards realizing the full passage and implementation of the USMCA. As a border region with intertwined economies built on nearly a quarter century of successful free trade, we recognize that ratification of USMCA is vital to strengthening economic prosperity, growing jobs, and supporting communities on both sides of the border. We urge our Congressional leaders to vote in support of this agreement and support our region’s successful future.” Jerry Sanders, Chamber President and CEO

Chamber President & CEO Jerry Sanders and Vice President of International Business Affairs Paola Avila were also featured in several news stories about the USMCA deal: