06/20/2023 - 10:00 AM

MISSION: We seek to provide timely, informative updates on regional topics relevant to our members.

Recap:

1. City of Monterey. Today (Tuesday, June 20, 2023) the Monterey City Council has scheduled three items related to housing supply and affordability in the City of Monterey. Afternoon Session help from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM: Item #7 - Report and City Council Feedback on May 30, 2023 Rental Inventory Monterey Town Hall Meeting. This is related to the effort to require rental property owners to submit data to the City of Monterey about their arrangements with tenants, as preparation for future proposals to limit rent increases (“rent stabilization”) and regulate other terms and conditions of leases. Evening Session held from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM: Item #11 - Report on the Community Survey Report Results, Preliminary Housing Opportunity Sites, and Strategies to Facilitate Production of the City’s Regional Share of Housing for the Draft Monterey 2031 General Plan Update; Item #12 - Select Preliminary Housing Opportunity Sites and Strategies to Facilitate Production of the City’s Regional Share of Housing for the Draft Monterey 2031 General Plan Update. We expect residents will be attending the evening session to speak during public comment on these items, either in support of housing that’s affordable to ordinary people, or in opposition to construction of such housing in their neighborhoods. Also, the Monterey City Council has approved a Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City Budget without controversy and established a new budget reserve policy for fiscal responsibility.
2. Healthcare. Recruiting and retaining physicians in Monterey County can be challenging, but Montage has managed to recruit twenty new physicians this year. The Montage Crisis Stabilization Unit is now operational, adjacent to the CHOMP (Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula) emergency room. Aspire Health is collaborating with other groups in the "Don’t Feed the Diabetes" school education curriculum and program to help children with obesity and diabetes. It is done in conjunction with Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula "Kids Eat Right" program. Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Insights Breakfast on June 16 with Dr. Susan Swick, Executive Director of the Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, on "Changing the Narrative: Developing Mental Fitness.”
3. Non-Profits. United Way Monterey County has begun fundraising for its purchases of new backpacks and new school supplies for its annual "Stuff the Bus" program for children in households that are homeless or in danger of homelessness. United Way Monterey County is also a partner in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) service to help households with tax filing at the Center for Employment Training in Salinas. So far this year, VITA has filed 1,300 tax returns that have obtained a total of $1.5 million in refunds. The average income of these households is $30,000.
4. Financial. Small businesses are contacting the Cal Coastal SBDC (Small Business Development Center) seeking grants at a time when interest rates are unusually high for loans. While few grants are currently available, Cal Coastal SBDC is providing assistance to businesses for better money management and opportunities for additional revenue through government procurement. This SBA Office of Advocacy report offers some details about interest rates and business lending that you might find useful. View them here.
5. Real Estate. Not as much activity, but prices continue to nudge up.  
6. MPCC. "Food for Thought" presenters wanted. If you are interested in participating or presenting a no-fee teleconference or being added to the list, please contact monica@montereychamber.com. Help us better serve you! Please take a few minutes to complete our Chamber Performance Survey. We thank you in advance!

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 07/18/2023 at 10:00 AM.

There will be no Business Roundtable on 07/04/2023 due to the July 4th holiday.

If you are interested in participating on the teleconference or being added to the list, please contact monica@montereychamber.com.  

montereychamber.com

MIXER: California Rodeo Salinas & Monterey Regional Airport

Thursday, June 22| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Observation Deck, Monterey Regional Airport | Monterey

$10 Members / $20 Non-Members

Please join the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley Chambers for the Annual California Rodeo Salinas & Monterey Regional Airport Chamber Mixer! Enjoy food, wine and prizes as we get ready for the California Rodeo Salinas in July.

Register Now >>

RIBBON CUTTING: Mando's Restaurant (NEW LOCATION!)

Thursday, June 29| 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

570 Lighthouse Avenue | Monterey

Add to Calendar >>

RIBBON CUTTING: Monterey Core Fitness

Thursday, July 6 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

191 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite B | Monterey

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36th Annual Business Excellence Awards

Thursday, July 20 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Monterey Conference Center | Monterey

The Chamber's Business Excellence Awards (BEA) Dinner increases public awareness of the vital role business plays on the Central Coast, and gives recognition to those businesses that have achieved excellence in their fields. 300-plus Peninsula business and community leaders attend to show their support for the local businesses that make up the backbone of our community. 1,500-plus votes are cast by Chamber members as well as the general public, and awards are presented to the top businesses in 18 categories.

Register Now >>

Congratulations to our 2023 Business Excellence Awards Finalists!

Accommodations & Visitor Services (Limited Services)

• Lighthouse Lodge and Cottages
• Spindrift Inn
• Tickle Pink Inn

Accommodations & Visitor Services (Full Service)

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay-Seaside
• Hotel Abrego
• Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
• Portola Hotel & Spa

Advertising, Marketing & Media Services

• Monterey County Weekly
• Monterey Signs
• TheBuzzPR

Art, Attractions, Entertainment, Event Services & Recreation

• Lynn's Arcade
• Monterey Bay F.C.
• WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Business Associations

• Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association
• Professional Women's Network

Construction & Building Services

• Avila Construction Company
• Disaster Kleenup Specialists
• Scudder Roofing

Education & Training

• California State University Monterey Bay
• Monterey Peninsula College
• The Panetta Institute for Public Policy

Financial & Insurance Services

• Central Coast Federal Credit Union
• Monterey County Bank - Main Branch
• Pinnacle Bank

Food & Beverage

• Googie Grill
• Lucia Restaurant & Bar
• Rosine's Restaurant
• Sandbar & Grill Restaurant

Government, Public Utilities & Transportation

• Monterey Airbus Shuttle
• Monterey Peninsula Airport
• Monterey-Salinas Transit

Real Estate & Property Management

• Ben Beesley - KW Coastal Estates
• Cannery Row Company
• Sanctuary Vacation Rentals
• Women's Council of Realtors

Retail, Wholesale, Distributors & Manufacturers

• Joby Aviation
• On The Beach Surf Shop
• The Crossroads Carmel
• Workhorse Bicycles, Inc.

Healthcare Wellness & Senior Services

• Big Sur Canna+Botanicals
• Blue Zones Project Monterey County
• Community Human Services
• Monterey Peninsula Dental Group

Professional Services

• Fenton & Keller, A Professional Corporation
• Noland Hamerly Etienne & Hoss
• Universal Staffing

Nonprofits, Clubs & Organizations

• Gateway Center of Monterey County
• SPCA for Monterey County
• United Way Monterey County

Services to Businesses

• Bob the Printer
• LanguageLine Solutions
• Rayne Technology Solutions

Services to Residents

• Escarraga's Luxury Cleaning
• Peninsula Glow Medical Spa
• Side Affects
• The Equine Healing Collaborative

Rookie of the Year

• California Seltzer Company
• Carmel Dance Festival
• Mathnasium of Monterey
• Parasol Dermatology

Final Round Voting Ends Friday, June 23!

Final Round Voting is limited to Chamber Members ONLY.

All votes must be received by Friday, June 23 at 11:59 PM.

Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay on a Successful 2023 Luncheon!

Habitat for Humanity of Monterey Bay held their first large event in Monterey County on June 14, 2023. The Monterey County Luncheon at Tarpy’s was a big success, with all seats selling out. Habitat brought people together from the community, business, and government sectors to raise awareness and funds for expansion into Monterey County. Habitat has been very successful in Santa Cruz County and used this event to share the keys to that success and ask for support in Monterey County.

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