News & Updates

LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE – CHAMBER ADVANCING REGIONAL PRIORITIES ON D.C. DELEGATION TRIP

EventsPolicySan Diego

April 11, 2024

 

 

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas, and City of Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre will be holding a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 15 at 7:05 AM PT during the Chamber’s annual Mission to Washington, D.C. Delegation Trip.

WHO:

  • Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of San Diego Regional Chamber
  • Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego
  • Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
  • Mayor Paloma Aguirre, City of Imperial Beach

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ECS MOONLIGHT BALL

Member Spotlight

April 11, 2024

Join Episcopal Community Services (ECS) for their Moonlight Ball, their annual fundraiser to support life-changing programs that empower the most vulnerable members of society.

This prestigious event marks 97 years of ECS leading the way in addressing critical community challenges, such as homelessness, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and early childhood education services. Your participation and generosity are vital in helping ECS continue providing these services to over 7,000 clients annually.

There will be fine dining, live music, and inspiring festivities while celebrating the families and clients who have been blessed through ECS services. Each ticket, donation, and auction bid directly contributes to their transformative programs, positively affecting the lives of others.

Don’t wait; secure your spot and purchase your ticket today!

LEADers On The Move

LEADNews

April 9, 2024

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.

Adolfo Ventura (Current LEAD Board) is now the Chief Programs & Operations Officer of MAAC.

Elizabeth Ramirez (Advance 2020 & Influence 2023) has been named a Woman of Distinction by the City of San Diego.

Julian Parra (Influence 2009) is now a Board Member for Junior Achievement of San Diego County.

Alison Bushan (Impact 2016) is now the Senior Director of Marketing for the University of San Diego School of Law.

Marlyn Carrillo (Advance 2022), Dana Toppel (Influence 2022 & Board Member), and Wendy Urushima-Conn (Impact 1998) have been reappointed as Commissioners on the City of San Diego’s Commission on Status of Women.

Kenia Zamarripa (Impact 2019) was named an Equity SHEro Award Recipient by the County of San Diego.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ARTREACH

Member Spotlight

March 27, 2024

 

Igniting youth creativity through visual arts expression and community connection 

ArtReach believes all young people deserve equal access to creative opportunities. Thousands of students in San Diego County schools have no access to visual arts education programs. ArtReach shrinks that gap by connecting youth from underserved communities to our free/low-cost residency and mural programs. 

Artmaking provides a conduit for igniting the creativity that already resides within each young person, helps students process and express feelings, fosters community with their peers, and builds self-esteem in a supportive yet challenging environment. 

Learn more about ArtReach 

How does your support impact our programs? 

Support from community partners provides ArtReach with the means to create free and low-cost art opportunities for youth at schools and community sites throughout San Diego County. Your investment guarantees that no child will ever pay for art lessons, and in turn, builds a lasting and meaningful creative experience for young artists who do not otherwise have the resources. 

2022-2023 donor impact: 

  • 29 Artist Residencies
  • 17 Collaborative Murals
  • 22 Community Workshops
  • 8,514 Youth Participants 

Learn more about the direct impact you can provide by downloading our 2022-2023 Impact Report 

Hear from one of our community partners: 

“Partnering with ArtReach San Diego was an easy decision for us due to their stellar reputation for involving local groups in every step of the process, ensuring their stories are accurately portrayed. Josué and the ArtReach team exceeded our expectations by actively engaging the City Heights community throughout our project. The result is a breathtaking mural series that beautifully captures the diverse spirit, culture, and essence of the neighborhood. We could not be more thrilled with the finished product!” – Cara Vereschagin, Project Manager, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation 

What’s important to you? 

If your business shares a commitment to ignite youth creativity, let’s explore how we can work together! 

Learn more about partnering with ArtReach 

Stay Connected: 

 ArtReach is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization // Tax ID 39-2067596 

Chamber Policy Advisor Tours CA Water and Agriculture 

Uncategorized

March 25, 2024

 

This month, Chamber Policy Advisor Lauren Cazares attended a three-day Inspection Tour of the State Water Project and Central Valley Agriculture with the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Attendees visited the Oroville Dam, Hyatt Powerplant, the Bay Delta, Big Break Visitor Center, and Edmonston Pumping Plant. Additionally, they toured the RPAC Almonds facility and learned about the process of getting from a seed to a store. The focus was on the largest state-built water and power system in the nation, which runs hundreds of miles from Northern California to Southern California, and the complex political issues influencing how the system operates and the numerous challenges facing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta.

Key California Bills Impacting Business

Uncategorized

March 25, 2024

The San Diego Chamber of Commerce is actively engaged in advocating for policies at both the state and local levels that promote economic growth, support businesses, and address the needs of our community. Here are some recent California bills that the Chamber has taken action on:

Chamber Supported/Registered Support 

Chamber Opposed/Registered Opposition

San Diego County Advocacy Efforts

Policy

March 25, 2024

At the Chamber, we’re committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for all residents. In line with this mission, we actively engage with local government entities to champion initiatives that benefit our region. Here are recent examples of our county advocacy efforts:

Supporting Medi-Cal Reimbursement Rate Study-

We understand the critical role that healthcare providers play in ensuring the well-being of our community. That’s why we supported an item brought before the County Board of Supervisors to study Medi-Cal reimbursement rates for healthcare providers in our region. By examining these rates and exploring innovative ways to increase them at the local level, we aim to support our healthcare professionals and improve access to quality care for all residents. This initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering a healthy and thriving community.

Advocating for Housing Development in Unincorporated Areas-

Housing affordability and availability remain pressing issues in San Diego County. To address this challenge, we have been actively monitoring the progress of the County’s Housing Plan Element. During recent discussions, we spoke about the County’s progress in developing new housing and urged for more action, particularly in unincorporated areas. Encouraging new development and streamlining regulatory processes are essential steps towards increasing housing supply and addressing the housing crisis in our region. We remain committed to working collaboratively with local stakeholders to advance solutions that promote sustainable growth and housing affordability.

These initiatives exemplify our ongoing efforts to advocate for policies that support economic vitality, innovation, and community well-being in San Diego County.

Chamber Welcomes Consul General Alicia Kerber Palma

InternationalPolicy

March 25, 2024

The Chamber is excited to extend a warm welcome to Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego. Her arrival marks a significant moment in fostering binational relationships and strengthening the bonds between the United States and Mexico.

As the Consul General, Alicia Kerber Palma brings with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to enhancing cooperation between our two nations. Her presence is not only a symbol of diplomatic engagement but also a catalyst for greater collaboration in various sectors, including business, culture, and academia.

At the heart of our excitement lies the potential for increased binational collaboration efforts. By leveraging our geographic proximity and shared interests, we can explore new avenues for economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange. Through dialogue and cooperation, we can address common challenges and seize opportunities that benefit both nations.

Learn more about Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma 

Updates & Call for Action on TJRV Pollution

InternationalPolicy

March 25, 2024

 

(CLICK  IMAGE TO READ FULL LETTER)

This month, the Chamber led a letter in collaboration with Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Imperial Beach Chamber, and business organizations and regional stakeholders from both sides of the border in efforts to address the critical pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley. The letter addressed to Hon. Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality, urged immediate action to mitigate the severe pollution affecting the TJRV.

The letter represents the collective voice of diverse industries and employers in our region, ranging from small businesses to large corporations. It underscores our deep concern for the detrimental impact of transboundary pollution on public health, the environment, tourism, and the overall well-being of communities on both sides of the border. The economic repercussions, including diminished tourism, decreased property values, and harm to small businesses, are substantial and cannot be ignored.

In addition to these advocacy efforts, significant strides have been made in securing funding for critical infrastructure projects. U.S. Congressman Scott Peters, U.S. Senator Padilla, along with the rest of our San Diego Congressional Delegation successfully advocated for tripling funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission’s construction budget to $156 million, with a total of $220.85 million for all IBWC operations approved by Congress. The $103 million increase from last year brings the agency back on track with its goal to rehabilitate and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant near the U.S.-Mexico border, addressing transborder water pollution in the area.

The Chamber remains committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that promote a healthy and prosperous future for all residents of our region and will bring these concerns to the nation’s capital during our upcoming Mission to Washington, D.C. delegation trip.

READ OUR LETTER HERE

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: I-NETT

Member Spotlight

March 13, 2024

i-NETT is a leading Managed Technology Services Provider (MTSP) based in Southern California. The company’s mission is to increase its customers’ profitability, improve their productivity and give them a competitive advantage by implementing the right technology.

i-NETT offers small to mid-sized businesses and non-profits customized technology solutions including:

  • Managed IT Services
  • Cloud Solutions (Azure, Microsoft 365, and more)
  • Cybersecurity
  • VoIP Phone Systems
  • Video Surveillance / Access Control
  • i-NETT has earned an exceptional reputation by providing our customers with personalized care.

We ensure optimum return on your technology investment, while protecting your organization from the two risks of technology: cost and obsolescence. Our team of highly skilled industry professionals manages our clients’ technology so they can focus on growing their organizations.

Contact i-NETT today for a network assessment! (805) 642-3558