News & Updates

Opportunity Zones Program in California

As part of the federal tax reform bill, states had the opportunity to identify “Opportunity Zones” for local economic development opportunity. The program allows investors to utilize incentives including capital gains tax breaks by investing in a designated Opportunity Zone. The U.S. Department of Treasury recently certified the California Opportunity Zone map, which can be found here. According to the California Department of Finance, zones were determined based on: a focus on poverty, areas with business activity, and geographic diversity. San Diego is situated to benefit from this program, with a notable chunk of census tracks designated as Opportunity Zones.

100 Businesses Ask Mayors to Approve More Housing

In a letter signed by over 100 local businesses, the Chamber asked the Mayors throughout San Diego County to approve more housing in their jurisdictions. Citing the impacts to employee retention and attraction, as well as the role housing plays in reaching climate goals and reducing commute times, employers are increasingly beginning to join the housing discussion. Read the letter here.

Chula Vista Water Front Expansion Heard at Chamber Public Policy Committee

In May, the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista approved a public-private partnership deal for the design and development of the $1.1 billion Chula Vista Bayfront hotel and convention center. The Chamber Public Policy Committee heard from Chula Vista  Mayor Mary Casillas Salas  about the expansion. She emphasized the potential the project has for job creation and economic development within the region.

Harmful Water Tax Dies

State legislators had proposed a law that would have taxed residents on the most basic need of water in order to fund the cleaning of toxic wells. Instead of pursuing this legislation, leaders agreed to spend $5 million from the general fund to crackdown on lead in drinking water at child care centers and to allocate $23.5 million from the general fund for safe drinking water actions. Additionally, California voters on June 5th, approved Proposition 68, a parks-and-water bond that includes $250 million to clean-up unsafe drinking water systems.

Low Unemployment Encourages Job Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, San Diego County’s unemployment rate was 2.9 percent in May 2018, which was significantly lower than California’s unemployment rate of 3.7 percent. In San Diego County between April 2018 and May 2018, the California Employment Development Department reported total employment increased from 1,489,200 to 1,494,900, an increase of 5,700 jobs in one month. “Leisure & Hospitality” led the month’s employment growth, adding 2,100 jobs. Much of the increase was concentrated in “Arts, Entertainment & Recreation” (up 1,700). San Diego’s economy has been continuously adding jobs on an annual basis since 2010.

Election Results Promising

On June 5, voters in San Diego spoke decisively with their vote for District Attorney, Summer Stephan, who has advocated for decreasing human trafficking and domestic violence among other priorities. Sheriff Bill Gore also had a strong victory. Chamber-supported Scott Peters, Bonnie Dumanis, Jim Desmond, Lorie Zapf, and Chris Cate will all advance to the November ballot. Statewide, Chamber-supported propositions 68, 69, 71, and 72 all passed. Thank you to everyone who voted. Your support is critical to passing much-needed reforms and electing business-friendly candidates that will help us continue to improve San Diego’s business climate.

Convention Center Expansion Agreement between City Council and Port

The San Diego City Council and the Board of Port Commissioners voted on June 12th in support of a three-party settlement agreement to secure long-term control of the land needed to expand and modernize the San Diego Convention Center using voter-approved funding. The agreement would allow the City to gain control of the site if the “YES For a Better San Diego” Convention Center ballot measure passes in November. The agreement between City Council and the Port demonstrates the understanding of the Convention Center Expansion as essential for growing our regional economy, adding jobs, and generating new revenue that can be used in neighborhoods.

Read more here.

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Crucial SANDAG Vote Supports More Housing

On June 8th, SANDAG’s Board of Directors demonstrated leadership in addressing the region’s housing crisis. The SANDAG Board voted to accept the state’s determination of housing need at 171,000 units to be built from 2021 through 2029 throughout the County. This vote reversed a previous vote in which the SANDAG Board asked the state to accept a lower goal of 116,000 units.

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Ravive Health Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Congrats to Ravive Health on their ribbon cutting ceremony!

Pictured from left to right: Howard Flamm (Clinic Owner and Manager), Amanda Streetman (Clinic Operations).

Member Spotlight: Energie Fuel

energie·fuel group is a progressive fuel & energy management startup expanding the $15 Billion Fuel Card industry. We saw a great need. Hard work created the solution.

Determination brings it to you: Affordable fuel. National network. Savings tools. Our members, track and report real savings, using CFNNet, Petroleum Rx Viewfuel and GreenTraks GEM.

With our new, red-d fuel card; owner-operators, contractors, drivers have the same access, tools and competitive rates to fulfill their contracts. Even associations and unions can now offer these same tools and benefits to their members.

Uniquely, we provide zero fee, wholesale Fuel Cards supported by a full stack, cloud-based Fuel & Energy Management Solution to simplify, digitalize, secure and optimize fuel savings. Our inclusive Membership and 365/24/7 Support profits all businesses and empowers organizations to get competitive with fuel benefits for employees and members.

Our competitors may offer fuel cards or universal fuel cards with retail discounts for small businesses and contractors; but none of them, honor their contracts and provide wholesale fuel rates. By expanding access and free software tools, to everyone who drives a vehicle for work, we’re improving how businesses save, plan and grow. Even still – we go the extra, extra mile with our membership benefits.

Our membership benefits

  • You don’t pay a cent in fuel card fees
  • You’ll never need to shop retail again
  • Your data entry nightmares are over
  • Your system will be setup and fully supported by our friendly team
  • You’ll enjoy members-only savings on wholesale oils, lubricants & chemicals
  • Receive free advice from an energy and emissions expert for you entire operation

Ready to talk real numbers and savings? Call 833•TRU•NRGY now. And, join a growing national network, that insists upon affordable fuel and management savings tools for all businesses, to get competitive and thrive.

Anna Zuniga
Marketing and Service Manager
Energie Fuel Group
www.energiefuel.com
team@energiefuel.com
619 810 0655