News & Updates

USMCA Informational Forum in Tijuana

International

February 14, 2019

On January 29th, the Chamber partnered with Consejo Coordinador Empresarial in Tijuana to host an informational forum that provided an overview of the revised agreement and discussed the possible impacts on our binational region.

Moderated by Luis Hernandez, President of INDEX Tijuana, our panelists included Gustavo de Hoyos Walther, President of COPARMEX Mexico, Manuel Muñiz, Global Advisory Partner from Deloitte Tijuana, and Chamber Vice President of International Business Affairs, Paola Avila.

Avila shared that trade agreements help secure cross-border collaboration on important issues such as the environment, education, and public safety stating that, “our region understands how critical the bilateral relationship is for our economies and binational community to thrive.” De Hoyos highlighted that the agreement was reached thanks to the business sector that became engaged and provided valuable information and statistics on how they had leveraged NAFTA to grow. San Diego and Baja California alone created an integrated manufacturing supply chain worth 2.5 billion. Speakers agreed that trade agreements also provide certainty and predictability which are key for attracting foreign direct investment to our region.

Our Border is an Opportunity, Our Cross Border Relationships an Asset

International

February 14, 2019

As champions of our binational region, the Chamber works to promote the economic opportunity that the border provides through robust cross border collaboration and partnerships. As such, we take every opportunity to correct the misrepresentations of our region as they could damage our economy and global competitiveness.

  • San Diego has always been among the list of safest large cities in the country.
  • The best investment we can make to improve border efficiency and safety is in technology, staffing and cross-border partnerships. We rely on bridges to connect us with Mexico, our closest neighbor and top export market.
  • NAFTA has propelled our region’s profile as an important gateway for global commerce. And the revised trade agreement, USMCA, is critical to maintaining our trilateral trading block and access to foreign markets.
  • The trade war has had a negative impact on our local economy. Tariffs are paid by American businesses and American consumers not foreigners.

Chamber VP of International Business Affairs Paola Avila joined regional stakeholders for an interview with KPBS and Politifact responding to some of these issues impacting San Diego. Review the full transcript and/or listen to the KPBS interview, here, and for Politifact’s article, click here.

New Legislation Introduced to Help Build Infrastructure Along the Border

International

February 14, 2019

Trade between the U.S. and Mexico has increased exponentially with California’s exports to Mexico have grown by 311 percent since 1993. Infrastructure to facilitate this trade has not kept up with this pace.  The Chamber has long advocated for expanding the North American Development Bank (NADBank)’s role to pursue investments in international land port of entries, in addition to its current work in environmental infrastructure along the United States-Mexico border.

Legislation has been introduced in the Senate and the House which will accomplish this goal. The North American Development Bank Improvement Act of 2019 is authored by Senators John Cornyn (TX) and Dianne Feinstein (CA), and Representatives Henry Cuellar and Will Hurd (TX) ,

This bill can also help address the Tijuana River Valley transboundary pollution, through work the NADBank is already undertaking. To review full details of the House Bill 132 (Senate version is SB 267) please click here.

If you would like to sign on to a letter of support for the bill, please let us know.

The NADBank was created jointly by the U.S. and Mexican governments in 1993. For more information about the NADBank, please visit their website.

Federal Spending Bill Approved

InternationalPolicy

February 14, 2019

On February 14th, both chambers in Congress approved a spending bill which allocates funding benefitting San Diego from transportation projects to reducing border wait times and addressing the Tijuana River Valley transboundary pollution issue. We applaud our Congressional delegation and representatives from government agencies who led the effort to ensure San Diego’s priorities were voiced in D.C.

Below are some highlights from the spending bill approved and signed by the President:

  • $191 million to renovate and expand the Calexico West Port of Entry, including a new pedestrian processing facility and additional north and southbound inspection lanes.
  • $15 million for EPA’s Border Water Infrastructure Grant Program to prevent sewage from flowing across the U.S.-Mexico border into the United States.
  • Funding for 600 additional customs officers to help expedite the movement of people and goods.
  • $570 million for non-intrusive inspection equipment across the border.
  • $100 million for the Mid-Coast Corridor in San Diego.
  • $3.3 billion for Community Development Block Grants to provide critical funding to state and local governments for infrastructure investments and to combat homelessness.
  • An additional $80 million for grants to address youth homelessness.

 

San Diego Water Supply Update

Policy

February 14, 2019

On February 7th, the Energy & Water Committee was given an update to the water supply in San Diego. City of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California were all encouraged by water levels in the region. They cited San Diegans’ ability to cut back on water usage as key in alleviating the region’s drought. All organizations mentioned that we were trending well and were optimistic on this year’s water levels.

San Diego Home Prices Rise 3.3% in a Year

Policy

February 14, 2019

San Diego region’s home prices rose 3.3 percent in the past year, according to the latest data in the S&P CoreLogic Index released January 29th. Employers continue to compete with states like Texas and Washington, for employees every day. Many employees face long commute times as they move further outside San Diego to secure the desired housing they cannot afford in San Diego. This hurts recruitment and retention, and makes our region less competitive overall.

Business Forecast Emphasizes Need to Address Housing Crisis

Policy

February 14, 2019

With the start of the new legislative session, businesses were asked what issue they would most like California’s legislature to work on. Addressing the cost of housing takes the top spot, with 29 percent of businesses wanting this issue prioritized. This issues is particularly important to the city of San Diego, as well as the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee, which chose housing and homelessness as their top policy priority of the year. It seems the business community has the same concerns. Controlling healthcare costs for employers was a close second, at 27 percent. Third was providing infrastructure funding. Read the full report.

Disaster Preparedness Academy March 8th

Policy

February 14, 2019

Did you know that 74 percent of small businesses don’t have a disaster recovery plan? Or that up to 40 percent of businesses never reopen following a major disaster? Take the steps now to prepare for a disaster that your business can recover. Join the America Red Cross and the Chamber for the third annual Disaster Preparedness Academy on Friday, March 8th from 9:00 –4:00 pm at SDG&E Energy Innovation Center. Participants will gain valuable skills and insights necessary to protect your business, employees, family and community from the potential impacts of disasters or emergencies. Register online today!

Mayor Faulconer’s Transit Priority Area Parking Reform Moving Forward

Policy

February 14, 2019

On January 31st, the City of San Diego’s Planning Commission unanimously approved Mayor Faulconer’s plan to reform transit priority area parking. The plan would allow developers to construct new apartment or condo buildings without on-site parking stalls if the project is within a half mile of a major public transit stop. Parking requirements currently can cost developers between $35,000 and $90,000 per space, depending on whether the parking has to go underground. That cost is ultimately passed on to renters and homebuyers, worsening the housing crisis. The Chamber has supported this project since December, because it would lower the cost of building housing and ultimately increase supply at a faster rate, making the San Diego region more affordable for working families. Similar to the Chamber’s rationale, the Planning Commissioners commended the plan for its intent to increase the housing supply, which is key to addressing the region’s affordability crisis while also encouraging non car mobility through biking, walking, and riding public transit. The Chamber’s Land Use and Housing Committee also voted to move the proposal forward to the City Council.

 

Small Business Roundtable Panel on Vibrant Communities

Policy

February 14, 2019

At the Small Business Roundtable on February 23rd, the group of heard from experts in neighborhood housing on the mix of housing and business and how the right balance creates vibrant communities. The panel emphasized the importance of housing for local and small businesses employees as well as creating a unique shopping experience for customers. The panel emphasized small businesses as a key to solving our region’s housing crisis. Watch the panel online.