10/7/2025 - 10:00 AM

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

Recap:

CITY OF MONTEREY

• A Special Joint Meeting of the Monterey City Council and Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee will be held on Monday, October 13 at 6:00 pm to discuss how the NCIP can accommodate the need for the city to eliminate a projected $10 million structural budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. 
• The hiring process continues for the city's first Economic Development Manager, with both external and internal reviews of potential candidates.
• Revenue to the city for August 2025 from the Transient Occupancy Tax is up 4 percent from 2024.
• There continue to be positive reports about hotel occupancy and revenue, and concessionaires on Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are reporting strong sales.
• The California Chapter of the American Planning Association held its annual meeting at the award-winning Monterey Conference Center from September 28 to October 1; more than 2,400 people attended the conference.

ENERGY

• Pacific Gas & Electric continues its improvements to its Monterey Substation, located at the intersection of Del Monte Avenue and Figueroa Street in Downtown Monterey. Improvements include a new transformer, a new switch building, and two new power lines.
• Scheduled for completion in late 2026, this upgrade will increase the capacity of the local area and reduce the frequency of power outages. It will relieve pressures on the Del Monte Substation (which recently underwent upgrades) and the Pacific Grove Substation in Downtown Pacific Grove.

AQUARIUM

• The Monterey Bay Aquarium continues its process to find a replacement for founder and executive director Julie Packard.
• In the new promotional film, "Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl," Ms. Swift is wearing a vintage Monterey Bay Aquarium t-shirt with two otters and facts about otters on it.
• The Monterey Bay Aquarium Workers United and the Aquarium are in negotiations for their first collective bargaining agreement.
• In April, workers voted 183 to 138 to be represented by a union, through an election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. The union is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 57, through the AFSCME Cultural Workers United, which represents workers in museums, libraries, zoos and other cultural institutions.
• The aquarium penguin exhibit is undergoing renovations, which will include new features and improved accessibility for disabled people.

AIRPORT

• Monterey Regional Airport has purchased a new fire engine to replace a 16-year old engine.
• Another phase of the MRY Metamorphosis (Safety Enhancement Program) is finished, as Graniterock Vanguard, JV (Joint Venture) has completed construction of Phase B, a replacement commercial apron.
• This is where planes are parked and serviced. Construction began in November 2023, and the site was notable for its large concrete batch plant, visible from Highway 68. Other phases are getting started, including the new terminal.
• There will be a MRY Metamorphosis Open House for the public on October 22, 2025 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Register here: MRY Metamorphosis Open House.
• Airport personnel who are federal employees (such as Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration) are essential employees and are on the job, with reduced or eliminated pay.

SBDC Central Coast

• The SBDC Central Coast, in partnership with UC Merced is forming a new Capital Access Center that will be "based here". Services will include supplying capital debt financing, equity capital, grants, etc.

CHAMBER NEWS

• The Chamber's Monterey Bay Business Expo is in the afternoon on Thursday, October 16. It's an opportunity for businesses and nonprofit organizations to build brand awareness and to showcase and sell their products and/or services to the members as well as to the community at large. For more information, go to Monterey Bay Business Expo. This event is FREE for attendees. Register here.
• The Chamber's Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast on Friday, October 24 will feature a forum for experts to discuss how "California Leads the Nation in Women-Owned Businesses: Insights, Impact, and Opportunities for Monterey County." It will be presented by Katherine Aguilar Perez, Co-Creator of the Altadena Rapid ADU Deployment Project and Associate Adjunct Professor at USC. Assemblywoman Dawn Addis will be one of the forum participants.
• The Chamber has received reports that the federal government shutdown is affecting some businesses. For example, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will not be meeting.

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday, 10/21/2025 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: In Bloom Salon & Spa

Thursday, October 9 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

465 Canyon Del Rey Boulevard, Suite H, Del Rey Oaks

Please join us for the In Bloom Salon & Spa Ribbon Cutting celebrating the opening of their new location at Stone Creek Shopping Village. A toast to new beginnings, light bites and wine, guided tours of the new salon and spa, and a chance to win an Aveda gift basket.

Register Now >>

RIBBON CUTTING: Noland Hamerly Etienne & Hoss

Tuesday, October 14 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

548 Munras Avenue, Monterey

Please join us for the Noland Hamerly Etienne & Hoss Ribbon Cutting celebrating their ew office location. Meet the team and enjoy refreshments and great company.

Register Now >>

Monterey Bay Business Expo presented by Rayne Technology Solutions

Thursday, October 16| 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey

Our Monterey Bay Business Expo (MBBE) is designed to promote regional businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community in an effort to strengthen the local economy and encourage consumers to buy locally. This returning event is an opportunity for all businesses in the region to build brand awareness and to showcase and sell their products and/or services to the members as well as to the community at large.

Sign up today and promote your business to hundreds of new customers face-to-face, and network one-on-one with more than 50 other exhibitors in the show. Sell, demonstrate and distribute your products while you introduce your brand to the community. Chamber membership is not required to exhibit at the Expo. For more information, email info@montereychamber.com.

Become an Exhibitor >>

Register as an Attendee (FREE) >>

MIXER: Post-Expo Chamber Mixer sponsored by Craft Collective

Thursday, October 16| 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey

Wrap up an exciting day of networking at the Post-Expo Chamber Mixer, proudly sponsored by Craft Collective! Enjoy light bites and refreshments as you continue conversations, make new connections, and celebrate another successful Monterey Bay Business Expo.

This year, the Mixer will overlap with the final 30 minutes of the Expo (4:00–4:30 PM), giving Mixer attendees the opportunity to visit exhibitor booths and connect directly with participating businesses before the event officially concludes.

Register Now >>

QUARTERLY BUSINESS INSIGHTS BREAKFAST: "California Leads the Nation in Women-Owned Businesses: Insights, Impacts, and Opportunities in Monterey County"

Friday, October 24| 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Ferrante's at Monterey Marriott, Monterey

Taking place during National Women in Business Week, this special program will spotlight California’s leadership in women-owned businesses and explore the impact and opportunities right here in Monterey County.

Register Now >>

LAST CHANCE TO EXHIBIT: Limited booths remain for the 2025 Monterey Bay Business Expo, Monterey Bay’s largest regional business showcase. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with hundreds of local professionals and promote your business in person. Register here or email jessica@montereychamber.com for more details.

Taking place during National Women in Business Week, this special program will spotlight California’s leadership in women-owned businesses and explore the impact and opportunities right here in Monterey County.

Join us for meaningful insights, inspiration, and connection as we champion women entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our local economy. We encourage you to invite your staff, clients, and personal network to be part of this empowering morning presentation.

Bay Federal Makes a Big Splash with Marina Branch Grand Opening Donating $80,000 to Nonprofits

Bay Federal Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of its new Marina branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the occasion by presenting $80,000 in donations to four nonprofits strengthening the Central Coast community. The Credit Union awarded $20,000 each to The Epicenter, Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, Veterans Transition Center of California, and The Wahine Project, supporting their ongoing work to create opportunity, stability, and connection for local residents.

The donations reflect Bay Federal’s ongoing commitment to the Central Coast community and align with the credit union mission of “people helping people.”

“This donation is a way to celebrate our new Marina branch while giving back to organizations that make a real difference in people’s lives every day,” said Carrie Birkhofer, President and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union. “Our members and employees care deeply about the communities we serve, and supporting these nonprofits is one more way we can help strengthen our neighborhoods and create opportunities for growth.”

The Marina branch, located at 140 10th Street, Suite 20, expands Bay Federal’s footprint in Monterey County and provides a full range of banking services, including personal and business accounts, mortgage lending, and financial education programs. The grand opening ribbon-cutting included local community members, business leaders, and nonprofit representatives, highlighting the strong connections Bay Federal maintains across the region.

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