News & Updates

Chamber Members Talk Renewable Energy

Policy

July 19, 2016

Screen Shot 2016-08-05 at 6.09.28 PMThe Chamber hosted a successful Renewable Energy Integration Summit with approximately 50 business owners and industry professionals.

As the State of California continues to lead the nation in its aggressive advancement of clean energy, the Summit was an excellent moment for solar business owners, energy consultants and energy service providers – including San Diego’s largest energy utility, SDG&E –  to discuss strategies for achieving the required reduction of greenhouse gases as set by AB 32.

Screen Shot 2016-08-05 at 6.09.01 PM

James Newcomb, Managing Director, Rocky Mountain Institute

The summit began with a panel featuring renewable energy experts:

Following the panel presentations, summit attendees dove into the different energy opportunities and challenges faced at the regional, state, national and global level.

Get Involved

The Chamber’s Energy & Water Committee meets regularly to discuss how San Diego’s business community can effectively advocate for essential, cost-effective energy infrastructure. For more information or to get involved, please contact us by using the form below.

Member Spotlight: FASTSIGNS® of San Diego – Mira Mesa Blvd.

Member Spotlight

July 18, 2016

Fastsigns 1Looking for more ways to get your message out? FASTSIGNS® of San Diego – Mira Mesa Blvd. is your go-to marketing and visual communications partner.

Whether you need to get your location noticed, increase the sale of your product or service, get more people to your events, increase enrollment, help people find their way around your facility, explain a program or policy, brand your environment, protect your employees and visitors – or tell your story in any other way – FASTSIGNS of San Diego – Mira Mesa Blvd. can help. Our sign and visual graphics experts listen to your goals and then determine the most effective solution.

FASTSIGNS of San Diego – Mira Mesa Blvd. helps you standout in your competitive market and get your message across using comprehensive visual communications solutions including wall, window and floor graphics, architectural signs, banners, trade show displays, promotional products, ADA-compliant signs, wayfinding solutions, digital signage and content, vehicle wraps, interior décor graphics and more.

Shane Beard, FASTSIGNS® Owner

Shane Beard, FASTSIGNS® Owner

After owning and operating multiple successful FASTSIGNS centers in the Chicago area for over 20 years, franchisee Shane Beard relocated to San Diego and purchased the FASTSIGNS location on Mesa Mira Blvd. The center is located near the I-15 at 9829 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92131, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

As a San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce member, FASTSIGNS of San Diego – Mira Mesa Blvd. is offering an exclusive members-only discount. Members can receive a 15% discount on orders up to $1,500. This discount is only valid on orders produced in-house. Must mention coupon at time of ordering. Not valid with other offers.

The next time you are seeking a sign, graphics and visual communications provider, contact FASTSIGNS of San Diego – Mira Mesa Blvd. For more information, call 858-693-7446 or email Shane Beard at shane.beard@fastsigns.com.

FASTSIGNS® of San Diego – Mira Mesa Blvd.
9829 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 693-7446
www.fastsigns.com/2021

County Business Outlook Sinks to Lowest Point Yet

News

July 18, 2016

The following content is from the July edition of the Business Forecast newsletter, sponsored by Silvergate Bank. To get these updates directly to your inbox, sign up here.

Annual Measure of Business Climate and Those Considering a Move from the County Remains Stable

Confidence among San Diego County businesses in this month’s Silvergate Bank-sponsored Business Forecast has fallen to a new low. Inconsistent since the beginning of the year, San Diego County’s Business Outlook Index (BOI) is now at 15.7, down from 21.3 last month. While this is the lowest point the Index has hit since it began nearly three years ago, the business community’s outlook is still in somewhat positive territory because the BOI ranges from -100 to +100, with zero being neutral.

 

BOI Index Chart
 

The downturn revolves around deteriorating confidence in the number of hours employers will be offering their workers, as well as business conditions within each industry. Only one-quarter of businesses say they’ll need employees to work more during the next three months — that’s down from 32 percent in the prior quarter. Additionally, only 39 percent report business conditions in their industry are improving — that figure averaged 51 percent in the previous three months.

(click for larger image)

(click for larger image)

There is a geographic component to the trend. Businesses outside the City of San Diego went from a BOI in the previous quarter of 22 to 14 in June. East County’s outlook has worsened in the past month, dropping into negative territory, from 24 to -29. When it comes to employment, 42 percent in the East County see their firms letting workers go and none in our survey are likely to add employees. Also contributing to East County’s poor outlook is the fact that businesses located there are more likely to sense a loss of revenue approaching, predict they’ll need fewer hours from current employees, and that revenue will decline.

The minimum wage increase remains the top challenge for businesses, with 10 percent saying it is their major hurdle – up from 9 percent last month. Other government-related issues make up a majority of the challenges as a total of 24 percent say their main new challenge is coming from government. These concerns weigh on business confidence; those with government-related issues tend to be much less optimistic than those with more “normal” challenges.

Each year in June the Forecast measures the business friendliness of local government and also whether firms are considering moving out of the county. The survey found that not much has changed since last year. Most businesses see their local government as being overall friendly to commerce, and the percentage of businesses considering a move out stands at 13 percent.

 

Business Forecast: Government Friendliness and Business Relocation

(click for larger image)

 

The key predictors of whether a firm is looking elsewhere relate to the business environment. Those who feel conditions in their industry are deteriorating are far more likely to be looking to move. But we also find that if businesses see their local government as less than friendly – regardless of what they think of industry conditions – the exit door is more inviting.

While most businesses throughout the county see their local government as being overall friendly to commerce, that answer depends on whether their particular business faces challenges and the nature of those challenges. Most of those who say minimum wage increases are a big issue see government as unfriendly and 32 percent characterize government’s disposition as very unfriendly. On the other side are those who report no challenges and, as one might suspect, an overwhelming percentage of them feel government gives the business community a fair shake.

Size of business also plays a role in perceived friendliness of local government. Surprisingly, larger firms are more likely to sense government’s cold shoulder. Fewer than one-in-five micro firms (those with a single employee) see local government as unfriendly, but more than one-third of companies with over ten employees get that impression.

When asked about moving operations out of San Diego, this year’s survey finds that 87 percent of San Diego County business people are not considering moving out of the area. While that percentage is less than last year’s 93 percent, it is not enough to conclude that more firms now want to leave. However, it is clear that business retention has not moved in the right direction.

Business size also plays a role here with smaller companies more apt to be looking to leave. Firms not considering leaving the county employ 88 workers, on average. On the other hand, those contemplating the idea average only 32 employees and those seriously considering relocation tend to be much smaller than that. Therefore, the net effect of firm movement on employment would be limited.

Region’s Housing Crisis Becomes Economic Crisis

NewsPolicy

July 15, 2016

For several years our region’s leaders have researched, discussed and debated the shortage of available housing for the growing population. A new study released by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and authored by Gary London of The London Group finds that the shortage has become an impending economic crisis as well.

The housing crisis has already caused decreased housing affordability, longer commutes, greater congestion, and increasing employee and employer dissatisfaction. In this new study it is noted that the apparent inability to reconcile housing supply and demand is likely to fuel an unprecedented economic challenge for the region, as employers are weighed down by the plight of their employees who are unable to find or afford their preferred housing type.

The study finds that the region’s planners have effectively embarked on a 38-year experiment. They are essentially “betting” that the growth in our workforce and their families will be overwhelmingly willing to be accommodated with a new supply of multifamily housing, while there is a virtual elimination of new single-family housing projects. Losing this bet would mean irreversible consequences. In fact, the report details compelling reasons that suggest this supposition regarding housing preferences and willingness to live in multifamily housing is incorrect.

Without substantial action to correct the region’s housing crisis, the shortage will worsen well into the foreseeable future. The result will be a continuation of higher housing costs, both for-sale and rental, fostered by an inability to bring to market new housing units of any type. A lack of action will lead to demand perpetually outpacing supply. The housing shortage is a regional problem that impacts everyone.

For the full study, click here.

 

Northern Border Committee Reviews Improvement Projects

International

July 14, 2016

Northern Border Committee Members

Northern Border Committee Members

Building on their initial meeting during the Chamber’s last delegation to Mexico City, the Chamber team – as part of their involvement on the Northern Border Committee – co-hosted a meeting in Tijuana with Consejo de Desarrollo Econmico de Tijuana (CDT), a business organization that focuses on the economic development of Tijuana.

The meeting focused on border improvement projects, including: a multiple-reentry visitor’s permit to Mexico (FMM) for via land and sea, the consolidation of a North American trusted traveler program, and improvements to the Mexican pathway to PedWest. Each project represents the Chamber’s overall plan to advance trade between the United States and Mexico, which – at more than $1 billion per day – is one of the United States’ largest trading partners.

The meeting concluded with an agreement signed by the committee members to continue working together for a prosperous regional economy.

Travelers May Now Use New Virginia Ave PedWest Facility to Enter United States

International

July 12, 2016

The following content is from our latest Policy Update newsletter. To get these updates directly to your inbox, sign up here.

—

After many years of hard work from the binational community, the new PedWest border crossing will open Friday, July 15! Twelve pedestrian entry lanes will take travelers arriving from Mexico to the brand new Virgina Avenue Transit Center just north of the border. From there, bus shuttle service makes quick connections to the Iris Avenue and San Ysidro Transit Centers.

The pedestrian crossing on the east side of San Ysidro will have a reduced number of lanes available for the duration of the construction project, approximately three years.

Download the map here:

For more information about the changes and transit options visit:

San Diego’s New Minimum Wage & Sick Leave Ordinance

NewsPolicy

July 12, 2016

UPDATE 08/4/16: The San Diego City Council passed the final minimum wage implementation ordinance on July 26 and it was signed by the Mayor on August 3. The implementation ordinance, which will take effect on September 3, includes enforcement and compliance regulations for the local minimum wage increase. For more information, please see the Treasurer’s page on the City’s website.

—

The San Diego City Council voted to certify the results of the June 7, 2016 election which included the Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance passed by voters. The certification of the results on July 11 requires businesses to immediately comply with this ordinance which increased minimum wage to $10.50 per hour, and requires for all employees – regardless of wage – to receive a minimum of five days of Earned Sick Leave to be provided either upfront, or accrued at a rate of at least one hour for every 30 hours worked.

The clarifications and amendments most likely to be of great importance to your business that occurred since this item was presented to the Council Committee were:

  • Employers were permitted to cap the accrual of Earned Sick Leave at 80 or more hours.
  • Employers were provided the option to “frontload” 40 hours of sick leave at the beginning of a benefit year.
  • For first-time offenders, a $10,000 cap on penalties was included for each type of violation.
  • It was specified that an employer may comply with the Earned Sick Leave requirement through an agreement to provide greater paid time off benefits as calculated using an alternative methodology.

This is how the regulation currently stands:

Businesses Subject to Ordinance:

  • The new ordinance applies to the hours worked within the geographic boundaries of the City of San Diego.
  • The new ordinance applies to all employees who work at least two hours within the geographic boundaries of the City of San Diego in any given week throughout the year.

Minimum Wage

  • Employers are required to pay a minimum rate of $10.50 per hour.
  • The minimum rate of pay increases to $11.50 per hour on January 1, 2017.
  • The minimum rate of pay increases to account for inflation each year starting on January 1, 2019.

Earned Sick Leave

  • Employers are required to provide a minimum of 5 days of Earned Sick Leave either upfront, or accrued at a rate of at least 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
  • The Earned Sick Leave pay rate is required to be the same as the regular pay rate.
  • An employer may cap the use of Earned Sick Leave at 40 or more hours within a benefit year.
  • Unused Earned Sick Leave must be allowed to roll over from one year to the next, and cannot be capped at less than 80 hours.
  • Employers are not required to pay out unused Earned Sick Leave when a term of employment ends.
  • This requirement is not in addition to the State-mandated 3 days, but will satisfy the State requirement.
  • Other forms of paid time off may be substituted for Earned Sick Leave as long as they may be used as Earned Sick Leave.
  • An employer may comply with the Earned Sick Leave requirement through an agreement to provide greater paid time off benefits as calculated using an alternative methodology.

Enforcement & Penalties

  • An employee may file a complaint with the City, which has the authority to assess penalties, and/or bring a cause of action against an employer in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the ordinance and may be entitled to back wages, damages, and legal fee recovery.
  • Each day a wage below minimum wage is paid constitutes a separate and distinct violation.
  • Each day the earned sick leave requirements aren’t met constitutes a separate and distinct violation.
  • The same type of violation affecting multiple employees is counted as multiple violations.
  • The penalty for the first violation is between $500 and $1,000, and the minimum and maximum penalties are increased by 50% for each subsequent violation.
  • Penalties for first-time offenders are limited to $10,000 for each type of violation.
  • Failure to provide notice and/or post as required by the ordinance subjects an employer to a penalty of $500 for each employee up to $2,000.

4th of July Celebration in Tijuana

International

July 5, 2016

The following content is from our latest Policy Update newsletter. To get these updates directly to your inbox, sign up here.

—

4th of JulyOver 500 businesses and community leaders attended a U.S. Independence Day celebration hosted by Consul General William Ostick in Tijuana. Attendees included Baja California Governor, Francisco Vega de la Madrid; Tijuana Mayor, Dr. Jorge Astiazarán; and Mexican Consul General in San Diego, Marcela Celorio.

The celebration was a great example of the intertwined culture and strong binational community in our Cali-Baja region.

 

 

Member Spotlight: Northcentral University

Member Spotlight

July 5, 2016

ncu_logoFounded in Prescott, Arizona in 1996, Northcentral University provides premier online education to students globally who are pursuing regionally-accredited graduate and doctoral degrees in professionally-relevant programs.

With Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education and Social and Behavioral Sciences, NCU is designed for self-starters who seek to achieve their career and academic goals. Utilizing a unique one-to-one learning model, each NCU student is in a classroom of ONE and mentored by a doctoral professor who is experienced in their field of study. Students develop current skills that are immediately applicable to their areas of interest.

NCUGrad_2Northcentral University is regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission. NCU also has programs that have received programmatic accreditations including the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

A common challenge for working students is fitting career, family and school into a 24-hour day. NCU makes earning an advanced degree possible despite life’s challenges. Each student’s pace, learning, and growth aren’t dictated by other students. There are no group projects or class times. NCU’s programs advance students’ ability to think critically and reflectively, while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards. In order to facilitate efficient learning, we utilize the best-in-class technology.

With courses beginning every Monday, students have unparalleled flexibility to customize a degree program to fit their lives.

ncu stuff 2There are no physical residency requirements which makes NCU a convenient choice for working professionals, military personnel and international students.

NCU is proud to offer a uniquely flexible educational pathway that supports student success – and we’re also delighted to be a member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber shares NCU’s core belief that when we provide education to individuals and organizations, together we grow and prosper in ways that benefit our communities.

For further information, please visit www.ncu.edu or call us at 844-628-0877. To find out about a business partnership with NCU, please email us at alliances@ncu.edu. Benefits of a partnership include a preferred tuition reduction on NCU’s currently published rates. This applies to all NCU degree programs in any of its three schools.

Getting Students Job Ready
By Day One

Policy

July 1, 2016

Dr. Elliot Hirshman, President of San Diego State University

Dr. Elliot Hirshman, President of San Diego State University

Over forty Chamber members sat down with the President of San Diego State University, Dr. Elliot Hirshman, at our latest Good Government Speaker Series. The focus of the meeting was workforce development, or specifically: how centers of higher education can effectively train students to become job ready on day one.

Under the leadership of President Hirshman, San Diego State University has raised more than $700 million to support new initiatives including the university’s entrepreneurship centers, which, cumulatively, have made SDSU the 18th “Most Entrepreneurial” university in the nation as ranked by Forbes magazine. By fostering entrepreneurial experiences, SDSU is committed to preparing students for an innovation-based economy and transforming ideas into actual companies.

The meeting was an excellent opportunity for Chamber member business owners to provide input as to what makes a potential hire employable. Business owners are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit talented workers, and spending the time and money to train new employees can also be challenging.

In addition to developing its entrepreneurship centers, the university aims to close this gap by providing workplace experience for its students. By leveraging its extensive alumni network of more than 280,000, SDSU has expanded its Alumni Mentor Program and approximately 3,500 students held internships last year.

“Few things prepare a student to be Day One Ready more than actual work experience and the opportunity to network with future employers… We know from our data and years of research that internships and mentorships provide competitive advantages for our students, and play vital roles in helping them gain employment upon graduation.”

Eric Rivera, SDSU Vice President of Student Affairs

Get Involved

Through its Education & Workforce Development Committee, the Chamber regularly brings educators and employers together for the purpose of advancing San Diego’s workforce. For more information on how you can get involved, please use our contact form below.