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3/25/2025 - 10:00 AM
MISSION: We seek to provide timely, informative updates on regional topics relevant to our members.
Recap:
City of Monterey
• The Monterey City Council will hold a study session on Wednesday, March 26 at 4:00 PM to discuss a Draft 2025 Economic Development Strategy and direct staff on how to complete and implement the strategy. See the staff report at Receive Draft 2025 Economic Development Strategy and Provide Feedback on Economic Development Roadmap
- • According to City Manager Hans Uslar, the City of Monterey notices “the competition is not sleeping” and the city must therefore “remain at forefront of developments” in the economy if it wants to "attract new business and bring existing businesses up to today's standards”
- • One of the city’s nine designated "Economic Drivers” to achieve its vision and mission is Fiscal Stewardship, which includes sound economic vitality efforts, vision long-term planning, and community partnerships
- • Although some residents seem to regard local commerce as something generally detrimental to their quality of life, the City of Monterey recognizes that business prosperity and growth is essential to providing tax revenue to pay for services expected and demanded by its residents
• Your Chamber board of directors has already provided feedback on this draft strategy and what it should and should not contain. In addition, Chamber staff has also reviewed the plan and considered short-term and long-term implications
- • Your Chamber has been invited to serve as a community partner with the City of Monterey in developing and implementing an outstanding Economic Development Strategy, and we intend to be a leader through critical thinking, analysis, and compilation of local business perspectives
- • Please contact Monica Lal at 831.648.5350 or at monica@montereychamber.com if you have any ideas, questions, or comments about the Economic Development Strategy
Healthcare
• Montage Health reports its involvement in the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative, a partnership of hospitals, health organizations, and community agencies working together to improve the health and well-being of Monterey County residents through projects such as the Community Health Needs Assessment
• The collaborative was formed in 2022 among the four hospital systems in Monterey County (Mee Memorial Healthcare System, Montage Health, Natividad, and Salinas Valley Health), along with the County of Monterey Health Department and United Way Monterey County. It now also includes California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), and Central California Alliance for Health
• You can help the development of the latest Community Health Needs Assessment by filling out the confidential survey at healthymontereycounty.com.
Moss Landing Vistra Power Plant Fire
• The Monterey County Farm Bureau reports that new soil tests conducted by the University of California Cooperative Agricultural Extension program have confirmed earlier reports that the Moss Landing Vistra Power Plant Fire has not compromised health or safety of any field workers or agricultural products near the battery storage facility. See Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Fields Following the Moss Landing Battery Fire
• There were no crops planted or growing in the nearby fields, as the fire occurred in mid-January
• The so-called toxic "heavy metals” such as cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel are already naturally present in soil and serve as micronutrients for plant metabolism, growth, and development
• Rumors to the contrary that circulate on social media and get highlighted by trial lawyers are unsubstantiated and irresponsible. Before starting or circulating any claims about fire impacts, go to the county's Ready Monterey County: 2025 Moss Landing Vistra Power Plant Fire. Vistra also maintains a website with links to data at Vistra Moss Landing Response
Transportation
• The intersection of Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade, five miles north of Carmel Valley Village, will soon be converted from the existing stop-controlled intersection to a roundabout. Bids for this project were opened on March 20 and the Board of Supervisors will soon consider awarding a contract
• The updates are meant to improve traffic flow, reduce serious collisions, and make the intersection safer for pedestrian use
MPCC
• Our Annual Awards Dinner, presented by Monterey County Bank, will be held this Saturday, March 29 at the Portola Hotel & Spa. We look forward to celebrating our honorees and their contributions to our business community and beyond
• Mark your calendars! Please see the MPCC event line up for April below. We hope to see you at our upcoming events!
Next teleconference will be held Tuesday, 4/8/2025 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.
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