News & Updates

Updated COVID Vaccine Now Available in SD County

Policy

September 25, 2023

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be available later this week.

According to San Diego County, since the beginning of September, there have been more than 1,800 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Find a Vaccination Site Near You

You may also order up to 4 FREE COVID tests from Covidtests.gov starting. The free test program, which was popular in past iterations, is being brought back by HHS in light of a fall surge in COVID cases. 

City of San Diego Same-Day Permits Now Available

Policy

September 25, 2023

(photo courtesy of City of San Diego)

This month, the City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) launched their new Professional Certification Office Tenant Improvement Program as part of the department’s continued effort to reduce the City’s permit processing times. 

The initiative applies to projects that meet certain criteria, with no-plan review required for qualified projects up to 20,000 square feet that are designed by a licensed California architect or engineer. 

Learn more

County of San Diego Child Care Blueprint

Policy

September 25, 2023

This month, San Diego County’s new Child and Family Well-Being department announced its Child Care Blueprint, a two-year strategy to improve access, equity, and the quality of childcare throughout the region.

Read Full Proposal Here

California Bills Awaiting Governor’s Signature

Policy

September 25, 2023

The past few months have seen our state lawmakers diligently debating and crafting a wide range of policies to address the pressing issues facing our communities.

As the legislative session draws to a close, it’s time to take stock of the significant bills that have successfully navigated the legislative process and are now poised for the final step on their journey to becoming law – the Governor’s signature.

Cali-Baja Border Updates

InternationalPolicy

September 25, 2023

 

This month, CBP at the PedWest pedestrian port of entry suspended operations to process a large number of migrants who have been camping at the border. This is a huge step back from our regional goal of efficient border infrastructure. The chamber continues to work with authorities and stakeholders on both sides of the border to identify actions and alternatives to address security concerns, such as potentially identifying other temporary processing locations or schedules that don’t interfere with or impact crossings and border wait times. 

Chamber efforts included sending a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, through the Border Trade Alliance, urging collaboration with the agency’s counterparts in Mexico to end port operation disruptions along the U.S.-Mexico border.

With this in mind, we are a little over a week away from our annual Binational Delegation Trip to Mexico City and cannot wait for another successful visit filled with insightful meetings, networking, and cross-border collaborations.

We are proud to share that confirmed meetings include:

  • Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marques
  • Commissioner of the Mexican Section of the IBWC, Adriana Resendez, and
  • Presidents of diverse commissions at the Mexican Senate

Learn More about the Chamber’s Binational Delegation Trip to Mexico City 

 

Member Spotlight: EnerSmart Storage

Member Spotlight

September 5, 2023

EnerSmart Storage is a San Diego-based battery storage innovator investing in solutions to support California’s clean energy transition. Formed in 2019, the company develops, owns and operates energy storage projects to help keep the lights on by balancing electricity production and consumption minute-by-minute during daily peaks and grid-straining events. For example, EnerSmart stores low-cost renewable energy like midday solar or late-night wind energy and later dispatches it to the grid when demand for electricity peaks between 4-9 p.m.  

 EnerSmart currently manages 11 storage projects in various stages of development and operation across San Diego County totaling 156 megawatts, including their proposed 21-megawatt La Mesa project. The company finances, owns and operates its projects which are highly reliable, emissions-free and have no negative environmental or air quality impacts. 

 Storage projects like EnerSmart’s are critical to California’s clean energy future because they provide reliable and instant electricity to the grid when renewable sources are unavailable or insufficient to meet demand. Battery storage increases electric reliability while also reducing electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions. EnerSmart’s battery solutions support California’s measure to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045 and 90% clean energy by 2035. Learn more about battery storage opportunities and renewable energy sources via EnerSmart’s “Battery Storage 101” fact sheet. For more information about EnerSmart storage and its projects in San Diego County, please visit www.enersmartstorage.com. or contact David Cumpston, Wright On Communications c/o EnerSmart at dcumpston@wrightoncomm.com.

LEADers On The Move

LEADNews

September 1, 2023

We enjoy seeing what our graduates are doing and how they are making an impact on the world. Share your good news with us via email: lead@sdchamber.org.

Shaina Gross (Impact 2009) is the new Senior Community Relations Manager at SDG&E.

Rosa María Hernández (Impact 2020) & current LEAD Board member is now Vice President of Programs at Reality Changers.

Julian Parra (Influence 2009) is the new Head of Commercial and Industrial Banking in California at Western Alliance Bank.

Catherine Spray (Impact 2022) is the new Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at California Western School of Law.

Tammy Carpowich (Impact 2016 & Advance 2018) is now a Words Alive Board Member. 

Dr. Gail A. Cole-Avent (Advance 2022) is now a Neighborhood House Association Board Member.