5/14/2024 - 10:00 AM

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

Recap:

City of Monterey

• During their evening session on Tuesday, May 21, the Monterey City Council will consider approval of a recommendation to select four applicants out of a list of eight finalists to obtain cannabis dispensary permits
• There were 13 applicants: one application was incomplete, a contract consultant selected the top eight out of the remaining twelve, and then Mayor Tyller Williamson and Vice-Mayor Kim Barber interviewed the eight remaining candidates and developed recommendations for the top four
• The city will issue a press release later this week naming the top four recommended applicants
• A public drawing will subsequently be held to determine where the four dispensaries can be located among the approved areas of the city
• On May 29, the Monterey City Council will receive proposed five-year and ten-year Capital Improvement Program expenditure plans from the Public Works Department
• On May 10, Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) and the City of Monterey announced that the popular Fast, Fun & Free MST Monterey Trolley will continue to be available during the summer tourist season to both residents and visitors for the next ten years
• The trolley operates with $452,000 in annual city expenditures and with an additional $120,000 annual contribution from the Monterey Bay Aquarium
• The city also has responsibility for purchasing new buses
• See the press release at MST and City of Monterey Summer Trolley Partnership for Next 10 Years. For information about using the trolley, go to Ride the Free Trolley Shuttle

County of Monterey

• The County is holding an annual arts reception today, May 14 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Monterey County Government Center lobby to recognize local artists whose works have been selected for display in the building
• On May 29-30, the Board of Supervisors will hold hearings on the upcoming county budget

Healthcare

• Montage Health is involved in two wellness programs today
• A Health and Wellness Day for youth is happening today at Cardinale Stadium, in conjunction with Monterey Bay F.C. and Aspire Health
• At the Ohana Building today at 5:00 pm, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) students will make presentations about preventing drug abuse among their peers
• This event is associated with the White House Drug-Free Communities Initiative.

Hospitality & Tourism

• Monterey Jazz Festival: Last year, the Monterey Jazz Festival selected composer and musician Darin Atwater as its third Artistic Director in its 67 year history
• The festival will have a theme for the first time: “Crescendo in Blue” as an homage to Duke Ellington’s 125th
• Downtown Monterey will be designated as a "Blue Light District in Monterey,” with live music on the streets, a Gala, banners, use of the conference center, and blue lighting
• The Festival is working with the Old Monterey Business District and the Monterey Marriott will host an afterparty at Characters 9/27-9/29
• See more information at Monterey Jazz Festival

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 5/28/2024 at 10:00 AM.

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

Your feedback is welcome.

montereychamber.com

MIXER: The Club at Pasadera

Thursday, May 16 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

100 Pasadera Drive, Monterey

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Travel Tips with RoseAnne Ruccello of Travel with RoseAnne

Wednesday, May 29 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Zoom or MPCC Offices

FREE

Discover the secrets to making your travel dreams a reality and embark on a journey filled with adventure and confidence.

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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Highway 1 Collapse and Closure

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the Highway 1 collapse and closure in Monterey County that began March 30, SBA’s Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Newsom on April 26.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Fresno, Kings, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties.

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