7/29/2025 - 10:00 AM

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

Recap:

CITY OF MONTEREY

Monterey City Council voted 5-0 to approve a revised ordinance for sidewalk vendors.
The Monterey City Council has managed to balance the city budget for this fiscal year using one-time strategies, but on August 27 the city council will hold a study session to review various proposals to raise revenue and cut expenses.
These include new taxes, renewal of existing taxes, and selling city property and other assets that impose costs disproportionate to public benefits. The City Council will then provide guidance to staff at its September 2 meeting about how to proceed.
For Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (ending June 30, 2025), the City of Monterey had projected Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) hotel revenue of $36 million and collected $36.3 million in actual revenue.
Staff has noticed some negative tendencies with TOT collection and projects a slightly lower $34.5 million for this fiscal year.
The City of Monterey received 55 applications for its inaugural First City Academy and selected 40 people to participate.
The city plans to include the Chamber in this academy in future years.
Car Week is coming, and of greatest significance for the City of Monterey is the reduction of the length of the RM Sotheby's auction to two evenings only.
The City of Monterey has advertised its Economic Development Manager position.
This person will work closely with the Chamber and other business groups in developing and recommending public policies.
City Manager Hans Uslar is retiring on December 30, 2025 after 28 years with the city.
He will not be involved with the city council’s selection of a replacement.

MONTEREY COUNTY

The application period has begun for the Go-Biz California Competes Tax Credit program. Deadline to apply is August 11.
The Monterey County Economic Development Committee meets on Thursday, August 7 at noon.
An open seat remains on the committee for the labor position. Apply here.

NON-PROFITS

Some federal funding initially pulled for activities traditionally done by the nation’s non-profits is coming back, although non-profits are still looking to make up the difference with private voluntary funds.
One example would be AmeriCorps funding for preschool personnel.
Reminder that Car Week provides numerous philanthropic opportunities within the community. Support where you can!

MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM

The Aquarium reports 250,000 attendees year-to-date, including paid attendees and attendees under the Museums for All program.

UTILITIES

PG&E is launching a Bill-Ocity program on August 26 — a new Oracle-based billing system for more than 170,000 customers.
PG&E reports seven local recipients of grants that fund equipment upgrades and employee training for restaurants.

CONSTRUCTION

Construction continues on the roundabout at the intersection of Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade.
Four local companies including Graniterock are sponsoring this year’s immersion program for algebra, taught by Cal State Monterey Bay professors.

MPCC

Save the Dates: September 12 - Annual Leadership Luncheon; October 16 - Monterey Bay Business Expo; October 24 - Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast highlighting women-owned business in California and Monterey County (more details to come)

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday, 8/12/2025 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.

montereychamber.com

RIBBON CUTTING: Cooper-Molera Adobe

Thursday, July 31 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

506 Munras Street, Monterey

Please join us for a ribbon cutting celebrating the Cooper-Molera Adobe and their newly renovated space!

RIBBON CUTTING: The Key Addiction Treatment Center

Thursday, August 21 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

270 El Dorado Street, Monterey

RIBBON CUTTING: Crush Cycle

Thursday, August 28 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

1760 Fremont Street F3, Seaside

Annual Leadership Luncheon presented by California Resources Corporation

Friday, September 12 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Monterey Marriott, Monterey

Our Annual Leadership Luncheon gives community leaders, local business owners and engaged citizens an opportunity to gain further insight into the current business climate on the Monterey Peninsula. An impressive panel of federal, state and local elected officials cover topics such as: new projects taking place in their jurisdictions, new business coming to the region and important issues that have impact on the future viability of our local economy.

26 Central Coast Restaurants Awarded $5,000 Resilience Grants from The PG&E Corporation Foundation

Twenty six locally owned restaurants across the Central Coast are getting a much-needed financial boost from the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF) and The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation). Each restaurant will receive a $5,000 grant to invest in equipment upgrades, workforce training, and other improvements — all aimed at helping them stay open and thrive in a competitive industry.

This support is part of a larger $1.1 million charitable contribution from The PG&E Foundation, which is funding grants for 188 hometown restaurants across 29 counties within Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) service area. The contribution also helps fund CRF’s operations to administer the program. The funding comes from PG&E shareholders, not customers.

Here are the seven Monterey County restaurants selected to receive the grants:

A Taste of Monterey Monterey
Aki Fresh Mex Carmel Marina
El Taquero Deli King City
Happy Girl Kitchen Pacific Grove
La Casa del Sazon Salinas
La Mia Cucina Pacific Grove
Other Brother Beer Co Seaside

The PG&E Foundation’s contribution to CRF’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund will help grantees pay for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardship, employee retention bonuses and training to help restaurant owners invest in their business and people. Grants were made available to California resident restaurant owners with fewer than five locations and less than $3 million in revenue, and prioritized minority- and women-owned businesses.

The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.

Deadline to apply for 2025 is Monday. August 11.

Learn More & Apply