November 7, 2022

After a three-year hiatus, the Chamber was finally able to host our 15th annual Binational Delegation to Mexico City! NBD, but Lenny Kravitz was there. Thank you to everyone who joined us on the trip!

…and, there’s less than 2 weeks until Election Day. Check out the Chamber Voter Guide.

Business Updates:

Investor’s Business Daily just announced Sempra as the nation’s top utility for achieving environmental, social and governance goals”. Congrats!

Last week, SANDAG recognized the Chamber as one of their Platinum Tier Diamond Award winners for our efforts to improve the region’s commute and reduce GHG emissions!

Speaking of emission reduction, Chamber member SDG&E has proposed blending hydrogen into natural gas through a $15M partnership with member UC San Diego.

Legislative Updates

Federal: 

DOT Secretary Pete is living dangerously. On a visit to San Diego, (hi!) he rode the Coaster along with some other elected officials as they showed him one of the busiest corridors in the country that’s… falling into the ocean.

Remember our CHIPS conversations? That semiconductor bill that had a lot of drama getting passed? Well pass it did, and now there’s a potential $6B in grants getting moved around the country but the Dept of Commerce is asking how we might like to see that money get distributed. Our suggestion: we all write in “Give it to San Diego, please and thank you.” Comment portal here.

Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness plan has come to a halt after a federal appeals court has sided with 6 GOP-led states that have sued to block Biden’s relief program. While this order prevents debt from being discharged it does not prevent applicants from applying and the review of those applications.

International:

Britain will get its third prime minister in two months, former finance minister Rishi Sunak, tasked with taking on the economic challenges facing Britain. Sunak will make history as the first person of color to serve in Britain’s highest office, being of Indian descent.

During our Binational Delegation to Mexico City, SANDAG and Mexico’s Secretariat of foreign affairs signed a bilateral Toll Revenue Sharing Agreement reaching a major milestone for the Otay Mesa East land port of entry project. This state-of-the-art port will provide fast, predictable, and reliable crossings for businesses and our community.

Our IBA team is still in Mexico City with the Baja EDCs team meeting with embassies and trade offices to promote economic development and attract foreign direct investment in the binational region. These meetings included Ambassador and trade representatives from Ireland, Sweden, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand. They may or may not also be staying for the annual Day of the Dead parade featured on a 007 movie.

Chamber member SEMPRA and Silicon Valley Power announced a 20-year agreement for the supply of long-term renewable energy for California. This energy will be generated by the Cimarrón project, a cross-border wind farm which will be located in Baja California and operated by Sempra Infraestructura.

Join us on November 17 for a conversation on regional strategies to create more diverse and resilient creative and cultural sectors. Speakers will also share an overview of our region’s most recent designation: World Design Capital 2024 and its exciting programme that will showcase San Diego-Tijuana in a new light and emphasize the ways design can connect us. Click here to register.

State:

GHG inventory had its largest year over year decrease in 2020, per the latest release from CARB. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Right now gas prices might as well be featured in the T-Swift video. Hi, it’s me. I’m the problem. It’s me. But it’s not so simple… a law banning drilling for oil within 3,200 feet of a residential area, and an increasing crunch on the industry has oil-well owners selling off statewide. There’s also the small fact of Governor Newsom saying he’d like to end oil extraction in the state by 2045. The sell off has some industry experts wondering what this signals for the future of supply.

Speaking of…  the state is considering a new tax on oil.

Speaking of round 2… the CPUC just dropped a proposed rule that would require any gas infrastructure construction to receive a special approval. Why, you ask? “…public controversy over large or environmentally significant gas infrastructure projects in recent years has demonstrated to us the need to strengthen public participation opportunities to ensure that impacted residents and stakeholders have appropriate means to voice concerns and shape project design.”

Our spidey senses are tingling and they say that housing will continue to be a hot topic for the legislature (you’re welcome). Example #1: Three legislators just launched a Renters Caucus.

It’s a crisis cornucopia! How fall-festive. The Salton Sea is spreading toxic dust because of the whole running out of water thing. So now we’re fighting with Senator Mark Kelly and the state of Arizona because they want the Feds to enforce stricter rules on California using the water we keep in the lake (yeah, Salton Sea is a lake, not a sea. We don’t know either).

Local:

Just another thing we beat LA at…San Diego’s tourism and travel industries continue to increase their revenue levels.

Home prices in San Diego are down. And we’re still cranky because it doesn’t necessarily mean more affordable homes. Spiking interest rates have demand for homes way down as the increased monthly payments due to those sky-high rates remain out of reach for most San Diegans. Shout into the void with us: BUILD MORE HOUSING.

More tragic news: The Regional Taskforce on Homelessness (RTFH) found that the number of San Diegans falling into first-time homelessness much faster than housing is being built and made available.

Battery storage is working! Used batteries from electric vehicles (EVs) are being used to power US San Diego’s library annex in Mira Mesa after sundown or in case of grid emergency.

Do you have an old SuperLotto Plus ticket? Check your numbers, TODAY is the last day to claim the $38M prize… it was sold at the 7-11 on Spruce in Bankers Hill back in April.

Here’s what happened at the County Board of Supervisors hearings this week:

• Approved Chair Fletcher’s proposal to create a data program to better understand how the region can reduce homelessness. The Homelessness Prevention Program would develop a strategy to integrate necessary county department data into one system.
• Approved the $100 Million Opioid Settlement Framework which includes expanding medically-assisted treatment for addiction, wellness advocates in hospitals, housing and wrap-around services, and more.
• Approved moving forward with an ordinance that would move cannabis licensing from the Sheriff’s department to Planning & Development Services (PDS). If approved after the 2nd reading, PDS would handle encroachment, background checks, inspections, operating certificates, and license renewals and transfers.

On November 3, the County of San Diego’s Planning and Development Services will host a public workshop on the 2023 Housing Zoning Ordinance Update. The purpose of the update is to comply with new state housing laws.

Beginning November 4, Dr. Lindsey Yourman will be the County’s first Chief Geriatric Officer to lead County efforts on providing support for the region’s aging population which includes the Aging Roadmap.

The City of San Diego’s Planning Commission voted to approve the 2022 Land Development Code update with the exception of the following items: creating sustainable development areas, clarifying uses in EMX zones, clarifying uses in prime industrial lands, battery energy storage requirements, and clarifying on-site affordable units language in their Complete Communities – Housing Solutions program. The Planning Department will now have to return to the Planning Commission on December 8th to allow Commissioners more time to review these items. If you have any questions regarding the LDC update, please contact Angeli Calinog.

Upcoming Hearings

• The SANDAG Board of Directors will meet on October 28.
• The San Diego City Council will meet on October 31 and November 1.

Capital Opportunities & Resources

• The California Rebuilding Fund is offering small businesses with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees loans up to $100,000. Learn more and apply here. Applications close on November 7.
• San Diego County’s Small Business Stimulus Grant funds are still available for local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic. County Districts 1, 2, and 3 are still accepting applications. Learn more here.
• Small business owners may currently receive $2,000 per employee that participates in the paid family leave program. Small business owners can apply here.
• Businesses can reach out to their nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which has developed the Small Business Survival Resources Guide. SBDC can help with applying for COVID-19 relief, guiding you through available resources, and assisting with cash flow concerns, supply-chain interruptions, workforce capacity, insurance coverage, and more–all at no cost!

Future Chamber Meetings (Virtual) & Committee Actions:

Sustainability & Industry Committee:

Our next meeting will be on November 3, 8:00am via zoom.

Public Policy Committee:

Our next meeting will be on Election Day, November 8, 8:00am via zoom.

Health Committee:

Our next meeting will be on November 9, 8:00am via zoom.

Transportation & Land Development Committee:
Our next meeting will be on November 15, 8:00am via zoom.

Economic Development Strategy Working Group: 

Our next meeting will be on November 15, 9:00am via zoom.

Cannabis Forum:

Our next forum will be on November 16, 8:00am via zoom. RSVP to LCazares@sdchamber.org.

International Business Affairs Forum:

Our next forum will be on November 17, 10:00am via zoom.