Employee Challenges with Child Care Get Chamber's Attention
 
Your Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee met on Monday, September 27 and received a presentation about the status of child care in the county from Chamber member Bright Beginnings - Monterey County. Committee members asked numerous questions and then discussed more than a dozen ways that the Chamber could formally get involved in supporting increased employee access to quality affordable child care. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is engaged in the same exercise, and several major county business groups are looking at child care policy solutions as employers deal with a significant labor shortage.
Latest Rent Control Proposals in Monterey
 
On Wednesday, September 29, the Monterey City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss “Rent Control in California and Potential Rent Stabilization Measures that could be Implemented in the City of Monterey.” Your Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is frustrated to see the lack of progress in the City of Monterey to build more housing that’s affordable (in part because of an artificially restricted water supply and some resident opposition to new housing) while at the same time the city council discusses rent control on existing housing. Read the material prepared for the city council here.
Vistra Donates $25K to Northern Monterey County Foundation
Vistra, operator of the world’s largest battery energy storage system, has chosen to support the local community through a $25,000 gift to the Northern Monterey County Foundation (NMCF).

Vistra chose to invest in the North County community by partnering with the Northern Monterey County Foundation because it enabled them to support many local organizations through one gift.

"This partnership is built on a set of shared values including advancing positive change, embracing equity and diversity, and building a legacy for future generations,” – Brad Watson, Vistra’s Senior Director of Community Affairs. “We hope this gift will empower nonprofits across North County to continue changing lives.”
Friday, October 1 | 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
North Fremont/Broadway Economic Areas
Interested in Volunteering? Please contact Alexander C. Winkle, Vice Chair of Economic Vitality Committee and MPCC Board of Directors member, at acwinkle@schwartzlawgroup.us.
Wednesday, Oct. 20 | 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM PDT
2790 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA
$100 per Player | Two-Person Scramble; Shotgun Start
Portola Hotel & Spa Announces Partnership with Virus Geeks Bio-Health Technology
Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, CA is proud to announce a new partnership with Virus Geeks, Inc. The data-driven bio-health technology company will provide no-cost COVID-19 testing at the Portola Hotel & Spa. The partnership is derived from Hotel ownership's desire to create a safe and healthy environment for staff, guests of the hotel, and the community.  

"We here at Virus Geeks are extremely happy to have this wonderful partnership with the Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay. Our goal is to help give access to no-cost COVID-19 testing to as many people as possible,” said John Touchton, Director of Market Development and Operations at Virus Geeks, Inc.

The opening of this new testing location in downtown Monterey aligns with the Hotel’s continued efforts to create a safe working environment. All non-vaccinated Portola Hotel employees will be tested twice a week, and testing services will be available for all staff, guests, and community members.

"The successful fight against this pandemic includes the support and action of every community member and visitor to our destination. Opening up a testing center in Portola's central location will benefit visitors and locals alike," said Janine Chicourrat, Managing Director at the Portola Hotel & Spa. The new testing location at the Portola Hotel will open, today, Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
MPCC LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Please forward this e-blast to your colleagues, customers, clients, friends, family and fellow community members!