Regional Prosperity

Metro PAC supports Mayor Johnson’s re-election bid

2011-09-16T18:53:09Z

Metro PAC, the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s political action committee, is supporting Mayor Kevin Johnson’s re-election bid as mayor of Sacramento.

Several weeks ago, Metro PAC gathered together more than 50 business leaders for a Coffee & Conversation in support of the mayor where chamber members could have a candid conversation about the city’s business climate.

“We believe Mayor Johnson is the right choice for Sacramento as we did in 2008,” said Metro PAC Chair Ardie Zahedani. “The mayor has the right idea of making Sacramento more business-friendly. This town was founded as a crossroads of commerce, and we need elected leaders like the mayor who understand that when businesses are able to prosper, the community is better for it.”

Zahedani noted that while the business community might hold a different opinion from the mayor on occasion, he has raised the national and international profile of Sacramento, which is vital to the city’s business attraction and retention efforts.

“Mayor Johnson is a champion for Sacramento—he is a champion for businesses and pro-business policies. Electing him in 2012 will be another opportunity for citizens to raise the profile of the city on a global stage,” Zahedani said.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber

Next Economy: Region launches new effort to create jobs, capital investment

2011-08-26T22:18:00Z

Responding to the region’s sluggish economy, a collaborative effort to reignite the region’s business climate was launched at today’s State of the Region Forum produced by the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

A broad and diverse slate of stakeholders has joined together to begin formulating the Capital Region Prosperity Plan to take the Sacramento region to the “Next Economy.” This initiative is being organized by the Metro Chamber, the Sacramento Area Commerce & Trade Organization, the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance and Valley Vision in partnership with a cross section of regional community and business leaders to pursue economic revitalization that improves the lives of the 2.1 million residents of the capital region.

“Next Economy is the capital region’s response for the economic rejuvenation of our community,” said Martha Clark Lofgren, Metro Chamber interim president & CEO. “The plan will focus on new job creation and capital investment activities.”

In November 2010, the Metro Chamber identified as a strategic imperative the completion of a regionwide industry sector analysis and launch of a collaborative-based regional economic development strategy to grow jobs and business to be included in its 2011 Business Plan.

“Board members and the regional leaders attending our annual strategic planning session believed strongly in this kind of project and worked hard to get us to this point,” said 2011 Metro Chamber Board Chair Gregory Eldridge of CH2MHILL.

Over the next few months, a comprehensive economic analysis of the region’s economic sectors will be conducted by the Center for Economic Research. Results will help identify catalyzing strategies to grow jobs and investment.

“The urgency of the current economy compels us to focus on immediate actions that can be taken to help bring about economic prosperity across the capital region as quickly as possible,” Lofgren said.

Indeed, the market value of goods and services in the Sacramento region fell by nearly 4 percent between 2005 and 2010, and total employment was down 10.6 percent for the same period.

The study of the region’s industry sectors will re-examine our competitive position and evaluate our economic strengths and weaknesses both by functions and by sectors. It will take an in-depth look at the more regional economy by industry and by cluster to identify what we do well, what we do better than others, what our best areas of specialization are and where the greatest opportunities for job and cluster growth are. The research phase will be swift and thorough, with a bias toward action.

“Our region has a successful track record on uniting together and meeting challenges—be they flood protection, building a new Folsom bridge or addressing clean air issues. Next Economy builds on that cooperation but on a much larger scale,” Lofgren said. “It’s a bold way of re-juvenating our economy and will result in effective strategies and joint actions over the next 12 months to drive new job creation, investment and innovation.”

As a collaborative effort, Next Economy will work much like the Partnership for Prosperity (PFP) efforts that began six years ago and helped identify the emerging clean technology and green energy industries and coalesced stakeholders support to nurture that sector. That collaborative planning helped focus regional efforts especially during programs like Capitol-to-Capitol Program that helped regional stakeholders win a $127.5 million federal grant for the Smart Grid Center at Sacramento State University.

While similar in the collective approach to planning and joint implementation, unlike PFP, Next Economy will take swift and decisive action toward one clear and purposeful objective: Create jobs.

Next Economy is predominately industry-sector focused and the plan will: (1) encourage innovation, new business creation, capital formation and the scaling up of key industry sectors in our region, linking us through enhanced trade to the outside world; (2) remove unnecessary impediments that slow business investment and job creation; and (3) ensure that our regional workforce acquires the education and skills needed for the jobs that will be in demand in the Next Economy.

Next Economy is a broad and diverse slate of regional stakeholders who have joined together to forge new joint ventures and strategies with measurable outcomes. The effort will be led by a 10-member Leadership Group who will direct both the process and the outcomes of the effort. The group will be assisted by a Strategy Committee, a group of 40-50 business and community leaders representing the geography, industry and economic interests of the region.

“Sacramento business leadership recognized that it’s time to step in and identify steps to enhance our economy,” Eldridge said. “Economic recovery will require concerted action from business leadership, leaders at all levels of government, and our nonprofit community as well. Our economic models will be different and we need to be prepared to lead the Next Economy and not operate under ‘business as usual’ models for economic growth.”

Results of the research efforts are expected by the end of the year.

For more information about the Next Economy—the Capital Region Prosperity Plan, visit nexteconomycapitalregion.org or contact Valley Vision CEO and Managing Partner Bill Mueller at 916-325-1630 or bill.mueller@valleyvision.org.

Regional collaborative to grow economy to be announced at Friday forum

2011-08-25T16:55:38Z

What will be the driving forces of the region’s next economy?

That question will be explored during the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual State of the Region Forum, set for Friday, Aug. 26. In addition, a new regional collaboration in a shared economic prosperity plan will be announced.

Speakers will take a look at opportunity industries and examine strategies to rebuild the region’s economy—those likely sectors that will help lead our businesses and be job growth areas over the next decade. The event is presented by UC Davis and UC Davis Health System.

“Our experts will look at how an economic recovery plan can be crafted that makes the most of current and emerging industry sectors that will lead the region’s economy,” said Martha Clark Lofgren, interim president & CEO of the Metro Chamber.

The keynote speaker, Lenny Mendonca, is a nationwide expert on economic cluster analysis. He is senior partner and director of the McKinsey & Co. San Francisco office. Mendonca has helped dozens of corporate, government and nonprofit clients solve their most difficult problems. He is an expert on globalization, corporate social responsibility, economic development, energy policy, health care and financial services, among others.

An industry panel will look at identified key industry sectors that can lead the way in the economic recovery. Panel members describing these sectors will be Trish Rodriguez of Kaiser Permanente on health care; President Alex Gonzalez of Sacramento State on higher education; Ashil Abhat of Bank of America on financial services; and Meg Arnold, SARTA of on clean tech and biosciences.

Guiding the panel discussion is formidable researcher Dean Steve Currall of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. Currall is an oft-quoted source in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and The Economist on such topics as innovation and emerging technologies.

Providing a demographic profile of the region and reporting on economic and job trends over the last five years will be SACTO’s Executive Director Barbara Hayes. Rounding out the speakers are Metro Chamber board chair Gregory Eldridge of CH2MHILL and Five Star Bank CEO and Valley Vision Board Chair James Beckwith, with a look at the region’s economic planning efforts.

The event will be held 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 1209 L St., Sacramento. For event information, contact Chantal LeFevre at clefevre@metrochamber.org or 916-319-4260.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber

Business walk to survey Arden Arcade economy on Thursday

2011-08-23T17:19:53Z

The region’s international award-winning Business Walk program arrives in Arden Arcade on Aug. 25, when volunteers will canvass local businesses to find out what’s happening with the economy and how conditions can be improved.

The Arden Arcade Business Walk is presented by the Arden Arcade Business Council, Fulton Avenue Association and Sacramento County, in partnership with the Sacramento Metro Chamber and supported by the region’s Metro Pulse partnership. The business walks have won acclaim from international economic developers and most recently as an outstanding chamber program for strengthening local economies.

“The County of Sacramento is dedicated to supporting the local businesses in the Arden Arcade area,” said Troy Givans, of the Sacramento County Office of Economic Development. “With more than 2,000 businesses that employ 40,000 people, this business walk is a great opportunity for us to hear the current challenges and needs within the business community and offer the appropriate resources.

The business walk program helps initiate contacts with businesses in the region and is the start of an ongoing conversation to help get businesses the resources they need to succeed. Volunteers who are business people or agency staff will visit storefronts and businesses, asking owners and managers three questions: How’s business, what do you like about doing business in Arden Arcade district and how can business be improved?

“Few ever ask the owner of a small business their opinion on anything,” Tim Cahill, of Charles C. Bell, Inc. “Yet small business is the backbone of our community and communities across this country. For the eighth annual business walk in Arden Arcade, we plan to go to the source—the small business owners in the Arden Arcade area—to get their opinion on the business environment and what we can do to make their business life a little bit easier.”

The business walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. So far in 2011, the Metro Chamber and its partners have conducted six business walks, contacting more than 1,270 businesses. In all, as many as a dozen are planned for this year.

Businesspeople who would like to volunteer to be a business walker can register online here. The business walk event, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., includes a breakfast and orientation, three hours of business visits, a lunch and roundup session. This event is free. It will take place at Hampton Inn & Suites, 2230 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento.

“In 2010, the Sacramento region’s international award-winning Metro Pulse Program facilitated nearly 4,200 business visits—building public-private relationships with and making resource connections for local companies. At its core is the business walk model, which allows community leaders to meet with lots of companies in a short time; and, do so in a personal, one-on-one fashion,” said Matt Yancey, Metro Chamber director of business and economic development.

For more information, contact Kennedy Cullen at 916-319-4277 or kcullen@metrochamber.org.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro Chamber announces selection of Pat Fong Kushida as new chief

2011-08-18T20:57:02Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber is pleased to announce that Pat Fong Kushida has been named President & CEO of the 2,000-member organization that serves businesses in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.

Fong Kushida comes to the Metro Chamber from the Sacramento Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce where she has served as President & CEO since 1993. She also serves as President & CEO of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, which she formed in 2006.

“Pat clearly has the vision, experience and energy to lead our chamber,” said Greg Eldridge, chairman of the Metro Chamber Board. “Her deep knowledge and commitment to our region as well as her entrepreneurial spirit will strongly move us forward.”

She was selected from a national field of more than 70 applicants. The nine-member Search Committee unanimously and enthusiastically recommended her for the Metro Chamber’s most prominent leadership role after interviewing a highly competitive pool of candidates. She is a respected regional leader, having received the American Leadership Forum Exemplary Leadership Award in 2009, the Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award in 2004 and the Outstanding Women Leaders Award by the National Association of Women Business Owners, Sacramento Valley Chapter in 2004.

Fong Kushida will speak at the upcoming State of the Region Forum on Friday, Aug. 26, where she will be introduced to more than 300 Metro Chamber members, business and civic leaders. The forum will take a look at opportunity industries and examine strategies to rebuild the region’s economy.

“We have an aggressive agenda,” Eldridge said. “And Pat will hit the ground running.”

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is communications director at the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro Chamber applauds Lt. Gov. Newsom's new plan to grow business

2011-07-29T18:50:31Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber applauds the much-needed economic growth plan for the state of California released today by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. The plan incorporates principles for state regulatory reform long-espoused by the Metro Chamber and supports the chamber’s long-practiced strategy of regional economic collaboration to promote business growth.

In February, business and government representatives from across the state gathered at the Metro Chamber to discuss reform of the state’s regulatory system and permitting process. Later that month during the chamber’s State Legislative Summit, Newsom told chamber members that their legislative agenda provided a long-needed list of specific reforms.

“Our extensive efforts to reach out and partner with state officials this year focused on simplifying, aligning and eliminating redundant permitting and regulatory processes statewide,” said Vice Chair of Public Policy Maggie Townsley of ICF International. “Newsom rightly calls for the state to streamline the regulatory system and make it easier to navigate: Speed and agility are needed to compete in the global economy.”

One of the hallmarks of Newsom’s plan is its recognition that the state’s role must be anchored in regional economies that are the engines for growth and aligned to build on regional strengths. Moreover, Newsom noted that “model practices” from different regions can be scaled to state level.

“Much of what the plan calls for is already part of the Sacramento region’s collaborative DNA,” Townsley added. “Take for instance his call to build on industrial strengths. To do this, the Metro Chamber has been working to enhance how the region’s powerhouse sectors contribute to the six-county economy. Over the last two years, its Health Care & Biosciences Impact Report and Education Impact Report have documented the $33.5 billion and $9.6 billion contributions, respectively, that these sectors contribute to our region’s economy.”

Another example of the collaboration and use of regional best practices that Newsom outlines will be found at the chamber’s Aug. 26 State of the Region Forum. There, a roadmap to a regional industry sector plan will be released. Further details of the event can be found at metrochamber.org/events.

The Newsom plan also calls out Sacramento region’s No. 3 status among the top 100 metro areas in the nation for its share of clean economy jobs in 2010.

“Getting to that top spot has been a multi-year effort of regional partners like the Metro Chamber, Valley Vision and the Green Capital Alliance,” Townsley said. “Here again is an example of what Newsom is talking about: Letting regions focus on finding their sweet spots in jobs and business growth and having the state support business by streamlining permitting, reducing regulations and providing new incentives.”

Other examples of regional best practices are the chamber’s Metro Pulse program of 18 public and private sector partners across the six-county region and popular activities like the business walks, Townsley noted. “These are new ways of working that Newsom is talking about. To become competitive again, we have to collaborate and focus what works for our regional economies.”

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Business, civic leaders to examine New Orleans' remarkable recovery

2011-07-25T23:00:19Z

Named as one of the country’s best sites to relocate a business and called the “coolest place” to start a business, New Orleans’ economic recovery six years after disaster struck has been called a miracle by many.

Driving New Orleans’ comeback are the connections and new economic ecosystems created by business, community leaders and nonprofits. This is what the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual Study Mission, Oct. 4-7, will explore for means to grow the Sacramento region’s battered economy and for lessons in flood protection and disaster preparedness.

This year, Site Selection magazine, a journal targeting economic development professionals who choose where businesses are established, named the greater New Orleans region to its Top 10 Metros list for Corporate Facility Location. Inc. magazine called New Orleans the “coolest start-up city in America,” noting that each year from 2007 to 2009, 450 out of every 100,000 adults started up businesses in the New Orleans metro area—well above the national average of 320 and more than double the number six year ago.

Because of active incentives and tax credits developed in collaboration with state and local governments, film companies have flocked to New Orleans, and the New Orleans region is now host of more motion picture productions than any place in the country outside of Los Angeles and New York City.

“The story we are going to investigate in New Orleans is how leaders coalesced to create a new economic ecosystem,” said Martha Clark Lofgren, Metro Chamber interim president & CEO. “Similar collaborative efforts can help Sacramento rebound from economic adversity and also teach us how to avoid the economic consequences of natural disasters. The Study Mission will have a first-hand look at these proactive strategies.”

Helping lead the 2011 Study Mission to get a first-hand look themselves at New Orleans’ recovery and reinvention will be Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

“For those of us living in California’s ‘River City,’ at the confluence of two great rivers and near the fragile Delta, the New Orleans tragedy certainly served as a wake-up call,” said Sen. Steinberg. “The Metro Chamber’s Study Mission to New Orleans will give us an on-the-ground look at the lessons learned there. The result will help us improve our disaster preparedness and gain valuable information on how to best meet the challenges of recovering in the event of natural disaster.”

Noting that the people in the city of New Orleans have practically had to start over, Johnson commented, “New Orleans has taken a catastrophe and turned it into an opportunity. The prospect of learning how their government, business and community leaders collaborated—and in the process forged a new entrepreneurism—compels me to help lead this year’s Study Mission.”

Over the last 13 years, Study Missions have visited other cities like Austin, Texas; Atlanta, Ga; Charlotte, N.C.; Denver, Colo; Indianapolis, Indiana; Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego and Seattle, Wash. For more information, visit metrochamber.org/study mission or contact Susan Harris at 916-321-9144 or sharris@metrochamber.org.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro Chamber welcomes Lt. Gov. as chair of Olympics bid committee

2011-06-24T21:20:04Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber welcomes the California Winter Games Committee naming Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom as chair in its bid to hold the next available Winter Olympic Games in the Tahoe area. The announcement was made on “Olympics Day,” celebrated at the State Capitol on June 23.

The Metro Chamber board voted to support the winter games effort, recognizing that pursuing an Olympic bid offers an opportunity to highlight regional assets and strengths on the world stage. The games would provide a significant economic impact for the region and for all of California. The infrastructure investments, job creation, tourism and business development can create significant benefits for countless California communities.

“Indeed, our Study Mission to Vancouver in 2009 affirmed the job-creation, tourism and infrastructure benefits the Olympics provides,” said Martha Lofgren, Metro Chamber Interim president & CEO. “We saw how the Vancouver committee relied on outlying venues over 70 miles apart. We realized that games in the Tahoe area could include other venues in our region. The Metro Chamber looks forward to working with the California Winter Games Committee as it organizes for this bid.”

Having an Olympics in Northern California would create a large influx of media, corporate and tourist business beyond the actual game venues themselves. Months before the games, media outlets and corporate sponsors arrive to spin up their business operations. Tourists attending the games often spend extra time visiting nearby destinations.

“During our Vancouver Study Mission, we learned the Olympics brought in $800 million in direct impacts to Vancouver and accelerated hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure projects,” Lofgren said. “So, bidding on an Olympics in our area is well worth the effort.”

Currently, six Metro Chamber members serve on the California Winter Games board of directors. They are James Beckwith of Five Star Bank; Chris Delfino of Downey Brand; Sotiris Kolokotronis of SKK Developments; Ed Manning of KP Public Affairs; David Taylor of David Taylor Interests, Inc. and Angelo K. Tsakopoulos of AKT Development. In addition, Metro Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Development Michael Faust, who is also CEO of the Northern California World Trade Center, is president of the California Winter Games Committee board.

For more information on the California Winter Games, visit calwintergames.com.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is the communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Business Walk to survey Natomas economic conditions on June 15

2011-06-13T18:17:31Z

The region’s international award-winning Business Walk program arrives in Natomas on June 15, when volunteers will canvass local businesses to find out what’s happening with the economy and how conditions can be improved.

The Natomas Business Walk is presented by the city of Sacramento and Natomas Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Sacramento Metro Chamber and supported by the region’s Metro Pulse partnership. The business walks have won acclaim from international economic developers and most recently as a chamber outstanding program for strengthening local economies.

The business walks help initiate contacts with businesses in the region and is the start of an ongoing conversation to help get businesses the resources they need to succeed. Volunteers who are business people or agency staff will visit storefronts and businesses, asking owners and managers three questions: How’s business, what do you like about doing business in Natomas and how can business be improved?

“As a city councilmember I am dedicated to doing everything possible to support local businesses,” said Sacramento City’s Angelique Ashby. “This joint effort between the city and chambers of commerce is an opportunity to reach out and have conversations about current challenges as well as provide available resources to support the business community.”

The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. In 2011, the Metro Chamber and its partners are planning a dozen events across the region.

“The Natomas Chamber is taking a proactive approach to help support businesses in Natomas,” said Ed Koop, board president of the Natomas Chamber. “The chamber and city are going to walk the streets not only to figure out what businesses need but also to let businesses know we care and are here to help.”

Businesspeople who would like to volunteer to be a business walker can register online at metrochamber.org. The business walk event, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., includes a breakfast and orientation, three hours of business visits, a lunch and roundup session, this event is free. The event will take place at Four Points - Sheraton, 4900 Duckhorn Drive Sacramento. Register online here.

For more information, contact Kennedy Cullen at 916-319-4277 or kcullen@metrochamber.org.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro Chamber to support RoundRock 3-on-3 street basketball tourney

2011-05-17T21:43:09Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber is pleased to join The Downtown Sacramento Partnership and The Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau as supporters of RoundRock 3on3 for the first annual three-on-three basketball tournament to be played June 11-12 on the city streets of downtown and Old Sacramento.

RoundRock 3on3 will feature players and teams from throughout Northern California, playing on up to 40 blocks throughout Old Sacramento, Downtown and Midtown. The designated streets, including Capitol Mall, will be sectioned off and organized into a series of half-courts, where the various divisions will play their games. The city of Sacramento has approved the street closures.

“This is a basketball tournament for players of all skill levels, from third grade to 100 years old,” said John Wardlaw, CEO of RoundRock 3on3. “It doesn’t matter if you play every day, or if you haven’t played in 30 years. We really want this to be an event the whole family can come enjoy as we highlight not only basketball, but also the great museums, restaurants, parks and places to see in downtown and Old Sacramento. There will be plenty to do for kids of all ages, kind of like a ‘state fair’ for basketball. We hope to bring the whole community together for fun, friendly competition, and to give back to those who need it most.”

RoundRock 3on3 has identified Shriners Hospital for Children and March of Dimes as primary beneficiaries of this event, with additional charities to be named. During the weekend of the event, Capitol Mall will be named “Charity Drive” and will feature other charities and groups hosting basketball-related contests to raise funds for their organizations. In addition to benefiting local charities, RoundRock’s mission is to identify several areas of continuing need such as park rehabilitation, constructing and building basketball courts for youth activities, and assisting sports organizations that promote health and activity among the area’s youth.

“We have seen recently with the public and business outpouring of support for the Sacramento Kings that our region really enjoys the game of basketball, so the RoundRock 3on3 tourney is a perfect match for fans in the region,” said Metro Chamber President & CEO Matthew Mahood. “We challenge the local business community to get involved on any level from signing up your business as a team or joining the Metro Chamber as a sponsor of the event. This is a chance for everyone in the region to get out with their friends and families to participate and help support our local charities.”

KCRA 3, KQCA My58, Salem Communications and Entercom Communications are the premier media sponsors for this event. The Sacramento Metro Chamber joins California Family Fitness, SureWest Communications, Safe Credit Union and Quick Quack Carwash as tournament level sponsors. For more information, visit www.roundrock3on3.com.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metr Chamber.

Celebrate Small Business Week at May 19 Metro Expo trade show

2011-05-17T16:22:52Z

In celebration of Small Business Week, businesspeople from the six-county region gather Thursday, May 19, for Metro Expo at the Sacramento Convention Center, the business-to-business showcase for resource finding and network building.

Produced by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, the trade show is the largest in Northern California, with nearly a thousand businesses across the region expected to participate.

“In a half day, you can make hundreds of important connections,” said Matthew Mahood, president and CEO. “Workshops will help attendees learn how to become certified with local and statewide agencies. And on the trade show floor, you can meet area businesses that are offering cost-saving products and services.”

Metro Expo is held in conjunction with the State Department of General Services and also offers businesses a one-stop way of developing procurement connections with state agencies. A special feature this year will be the special opportunity to meet private entities in the education sector looking for vendors.

The event begins at 12:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies. Trade show hours are 12:30-5 p.m. A networking reception will be held 5-7 p.m. at Cafeteria 15L at 15th and L streets.

Registration $20 onsite for the trade show plus $10 for the reception. For event information, visit metrochamber.org/expo.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Region's $9.6 billion education cluster threatened by 'all cuts' state budget

2011-04-15T00:14:34Z

A state budget that makes $25 billion in cuts will drastically impact the Sacramento region—especially the $9.6 billion education industry in six counties.

“The education industry is critical to our region’s economic prosperity,” said Matthew Mahood, Sacramento Metro Chamber president & CEO. “Not only for the work the sector does to educate our residents—but also for the huge injection of dollars into the region. Education institutions employ thousands of people who make consumer purchases throughout the region.”

A newly released Education Industry Cluster Economic Impact Report, commissioned by the Metro Chamber, analyzes everything from elementary schools and universities to private technical colleges. The report pegs the impact on the economy at $9.6 billion—generated by $5.1 billion in direct impacts, $3.1 billion in employee spending and $1.4 billion in industry purchases. The study analyzed data from 2008.

In fact, payroll for the education cluster employees totaled $4.2 billion in 2008. The largest sector, of course, is public education whose institutions employ 79,000 people in the region. Private sector schools account for 19,000 jobs.

Most visible are the region’s nationally and world-ranked institutions of higher education: UC Davis, Sacramento State and the Los Rios community colleges. These schools and others contributed $3.2 billion—or one-third of public education’s impact—on the region’s economy.

“Higher education is a huge economic engine for this region in so many ways,” said Los Rios Chancellor Brice Harris. “From the thousands of students we move into the workforce, to the millions of dollars we pour into goods and services, and the millions of dollars more spent in the region by our employees.”

Between 2004 and 2008, the education sector stood out as one of the region’s leading industries in terms of growth, racking up double-digit advances in terms of dollar value contributed to the economy. The annual dollar impact grew by 19.2 percent.

Gains made since 2004, however, are threatened if the state Legislature ultimately opts for the “all-cuts” budget. Statewide, the California State University and University of California systems will see about $1.1 billion cut, according to the S.F. Examiner. The community college system will lose $585 million and K-12 education will lose $5 billion.

“With a $73 million budget shortfall that could occur, UC Davis is projecting staff cuts of at least 450 to 500 employees,” Mahood said. “If this were a private company announcing they were shutting down or laying off 500 employees—there would be an uproar. These are employees who pay mortgages, buy cars, groceries, shoes, clothes and spend money across all sectors.”

“The report demonstrates the positive economic impact that education has all around in our region,” Mahood said. “Our region is known for its innovation driven by our institutions of higher education. It’s what keeps us competitive with other regions across the nation—and world. Strong schools mean a skilled workforce—and that’s something that business must have to create jobs. Our schools have an impact that ripples through the generations. These proposed massive cuts in the state’s education spending will be likewise: all around, everywhere and down through the generations. It’s very concerning.”

To download a copy of the complete report, visit http://bit.ly/SMCCEducationReport.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

West Sac Business Walk on March 30 to survey local economic conditions

2011-03-23T19:06:34Z

The region’s international award-winning Business Walk program arrives in West Sacramento on Wednesday, March 30, when volunteers will canvass local businesses to find out what’s happening with the economy and how conditions can be improved.

The West Sacramento Business Walk is presented by the city of West Sacramento and West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, produced by the Sacramento Metro Chamber and supported by the region’s Metro Pulse partnership. The business walks have won acclaim from international economic developers and most recently as a chamber outstanding program for strengthening local economies.

The business walks help initiate contacts with businesses in the region and is the start of an ongoing conversation to help get businesses the resources they need to succeed. Volunteers who are business people or agency staff will visit storefronts and businesses, asking owners and managers three questions: How’s business, what do you like about doing business in West Sacramento and how can business be improved?

The city of West Sacramento wants to hear what the local business community is thinking, and this is the first step,” said Christopher Cabaldon, mayor of West Sacramento. “Not only will we be able to talk face-to-face with many business owners, we will let them know the city is here to help them succeed.”

The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. In 2011, the Metro Chamber and its partners are planning a dozen events across the region.

Businesspeople who would like to volunteer to be a business walker can register online here. The business walk event, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., includes a breakfast and orientation, three hours of business visits, a lunch and roundup session.

“In 2010, the Sacramento region’s international award-winning Metro Pulse program facilitated nearly 4,200 business visits—building public-private relationships with and making resource connections for local companies. At its core is the business walk model, which allows community leaders to meet with lots of companies in a short time; and, do so in a personal, one-on-one fashion,” said Matt Yancey, Metro Chamber director of business and economic development.

To register for the event, visit metrochamber.org/events or contact Kennedy Cullen at 916-319-4277 or kcullen@metrochamber.org.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Lt. Gov. Newsom to headline Metro Chamber's legislative day Feb. 22

2011-02-18T22:15:03Z

In Northern California's largest chamber-led lobbying effort, business and civic leaders from the Sacramento region head to the State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 22, to ask legislators to reform the state budget, provide businesses with regulatory relief and advocate for shared responsibility during the current budget crisis.

Organized by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, this year’s State Legislative Summit offers one of the best opportunities for the leading voice of business to be heard, and business leaders are cautiously optimistic that real reform can happen.

“2011 must be the year of allowing businesses to do what they do best—create jobs—and not wade through senseless paperwork,” said Matthew Mahood, president & CEO. “The state’s onerous regulations run 28,000 pages long and many, many duplicate each other. We all know how tough it is to do our federal state tax returns—businesspeople face that kind of hassle every day from burdensome and redundant state regulations—not to mention those of local and other jurisdictions.”

Earlier this year, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg asked the Metro Chamber for examples of how the state could reform itself by providing regulatory relief. The Metro Chamber provided very focused feedback.

Because of this specific and substantive input, Sen. Steinberg is partnering with the chamber on a series of meetings over seven weeks to discuss how to reduce state regulations and provide relief to businesses so they can put people back to work and begin expanding again. One proposed bill, SB 366, authored by Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, and Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica, was announced by Sen. Steinberg during a press conference Feb. 16 at the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

“We are both grateful and encouraged to have the opportunity to review our business regulatory concerns with Sen. Steinberg,” Mahood said. “This process creates an on-going dialogue where we can candidly address the most significant burdens to business and actively look for solutions to improve our regulatory environment and business climate. Our members will bring a complete pro-jobs agenda to legislators during our State Legislative Summit on Feb. 22.” The position paper is available here.

Summit topics include air quality, civic amenities, green technology, flood protection, health care and biosciences, jobs and business growth, resources, state budget, transportation, and workforce and education.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Steinberg will address the Metro Chamber State Legislative Summit delegation during the luncheon at The Citizen Hotel, 926 J. St., Sacramento. The half-day event runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The program concludes with the Capital Region Legislators Welcome Reception, beginning at 5 p.m. at The Citizen Hotel to honor the newly elected state constitutional officers and locally elected leaders from Sacramento’s capital region. The reception is co-hosted by Sen. Steinberg and newly elected Assemblyman Roger Dickinson. The Metro Chamber welcomes the region’s new public servants in partnership with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber

Sen. Steinberg, Metro Chamber announce start of regulation reform

2011-02-17T02:04:27Z

Media, business, conservationist and government representatives from across the state gathered at the Sacramento Metro Chamber on Wednesday, Feb. 16, to launch reform of the state’s regulatory system and permitting process.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Metro Chamber President & CEO Matthew Mahood detailed the proposed legislation, SB 366, and how the Metro Chamber helped initiate political action that will provide a business perspective on overhauling regulations and streamlining the processes people must follow to start and run their businesses.

And to make the point why overhaul is needed, all 28,000 pages of the state’s code of regulations where wheeled in on a dolly and carried two at a time by chamber staff members—some 34 binders that weigh 270 pounds.

The proposed bill SB 366 is authored by Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, and Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica, who along with Tom Adams of the California League of Conservation Voters presented an outline of the bill at the press conference.

With the binders as an omnipresent reminder of why the work needs to be done, Sen. Steinberg said that “government needs to be more nimble and responsive. The processes to get a permit take too long. The forces of government should help businesses comply with the laws.”

Over the past several weeks, the Metro Chamber has been meeting with the senator’s staff at his invitation to provide specific examples of ways the state can reform and provide regulatory relief.

“We have brought in our member businesses who are subject matter experts in their particular industries to inform the senator on those regulatory hurdles that are most inhibiting to jobs and business growth,” Mahood said. “The process has created an ongoing dialogue where we can candidly discuss our concerns and encourages solutions.”

Among those solutions to improving the state budget, Mahood said, is to “get people back to work.”

“When people work—everyone’s cash register rings—even the state’s treasury with increased tax revenues,” he said. “The state’s budget crisis is the most important issue facing our region’s economy and the Metro Chamber is particularly concerned about the impact that deep cuts will have in the areas of economic development, health care and higher education.”

SB 366 directs state agencies to do a top-to-bottom review of regulations to indentify duplicative, inconsistent or outdated provisions. The agencies would be required to hold public hearings as a guide to weed out those problem regulations and would be mandated to complete the task within 180 days.

A second provision of SB 366 would eliminate red-tape that hampers state development projects and allow any business to request a “one-stop shop” process.

The announcement of the bill, which the Metro Chamber helped shape, comes days before the chamber’s State Legislative Summit when business and civic leaders from the Sacramento region head to the State Capitol to talk to legislators about state budget reform, regulatory relief and shared responsibility during the current budget crisis.

Summit topics include air quality, civic amenities, green technology, flood protection and water, health care and biosciences, jobs and business growth, resources, transportation, and workforce and education.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will address the Metro Chamber State Legislative Summit delegation, speaking during the luncheon at the Citizens Hotel, 926 J. St., Sacramento. The half-day event runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The program concludes with the Capital Region Legislators Welcome Reception, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Citizen Hotel, to honor the newly elected state constitutional officers and locally elected leaders from Sacramento’s capital region. The reception is co-hosted by Sen. Steinberg and newly elected Assemblyman Roger Dickinson. The Metro Chamber welcomes the region’s new public servants in partnership with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Sen. Steinberg to announce legislation to streamline regulations

2011-02-16T00:02:17Z

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg will announce on Wednesday, Feb. 16, the introduction of legislation reforming California’s duplicative and burdensome business regulations. Sen. Steinberg will be joined by authors of the proposed bill, Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, and Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica.

The news conference will be held 10:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Metro Chamber offices, One Capitol Mall Suite 300, Sacramento.

The announcement comes after three weeks of meetings that Metro Chamber members held with Sen. Steinberg at his invitation to discover how state offices and departments can reduce duplicative regulations and streamline the regulatory process. Further meetings are scheduled over the next few weeks.

“We are both grateful and encouraged to have the opportunity to review our business regulatory concerns with Sen. Steinberg,” said Matthew Mahood, president & CEO. “This process has created an on-going dialogue where we can candidly address the most significant burdens to business and actively look for solutions to improve our regulatory environment and business climate.”

Metro Chamber members have launched the Reform-Relief-Responsibility initiative to make recommendations to elected leaders on how the state can solve its budget crisis while helping business create more jobs and increase business activity.

“Our members will bring a complete pro-jobs agenda to legislators during our State Legislative Summit next week, Feb. 22,” Mahood said. An overview of these proposals can be seen here.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is Communictions Director for Sacramento Metro Chamber

Metro Chamber members fill gap in funding shortfall for shelter

2011-02-11T01:38:45Z

Lately, Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna has been working behind the scenes to find shelter for people living out-of-doors along the American River Parkway during the winter.

Working with the Salvation Army and Volunteers of America, Supervisor Serna raised more than $41,000 for keeping the winter shelters open until the end of March. But the funding was shy of the goal, and that’s when he turned to the business community, asking on Tuesday Sacramento Metro Chamber members to contribute.

In less than 24 hours Metro Chamber member businesses opened up their pocketbooks. A shortfall of $8,500 was made up alone by the Bank of America, but many other donations came in quickly as well.

“Despite a time when our local member businesses are still coping with the recession, they have once again stepped up to support our community and residents who are struggling,” said Matthew Mahood, president & CEO.

The donors include Bank of America, AT&T, Comcast, Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark Knight Frank, Folsom South Area Group Landowners, Gordon & Rees LLP, KP Public Affairs, Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard, Lionakis, MBK Engineers, Sacramento Regional Foundation, SAFE Credit Union, Stantec, The Johnson Group and Van Vleck Ranch.

Donations will open up 32 beds at the Salvation Army and a winter sanctuary program at other local organization will provide shelter and meals through March 31.

Offers of donations continue to come in. Businesses and individuals interested in making a donation to support winter shelter programs in Sacramento County, can send checks to the North State Building Industry Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization set up to collect funds for this purpose. Contributions will be directed to either the Salvation Army or the Winter Sanctuary Program. Make checks payable to NSBIF, 1536 Eureka Road, Roseville, CA 95661, Tax ID #26-0772414; reference: Sacramento Shelter Program For more information, contact Maria Monsanto, chief financial officer, (916) 677-5717.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro Chamber sweeps western chamber association awards

2011-02-10T00:52:21Z

Coming off one of the most active membership years in the last decade, two Sacramento Metro Chamber staff members and three programs were recognized for professional excellence by fellow chamber executives from 14 western states.

The 720-member Western Association of Chamber Executives recognized Metro Chamber President & CEO Matthew Mahood as Executive of the Year, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Economic Development Michael Faust as the Hathaway Staff Person of the Year, the annual Business Walks for helping support the local economy, the Power Lunches for excellence in business-to-business networking and the Metro Business Quarterly publication for communications excellence. W.A.C.E. is the largest regional association of chamber executives in the United States.

Chamber Executive of the Year: Matthew Mahood
Citing his “courageous leadership in support of business financial acuity and leadership skills,” W.A.C.E. said that under Matthew Mahood’s nine years of steady leadership, “the Metro Chamber has redoubled efforts to serve businesses and the communities in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.”

“We all know how bad the economy has been—decimating businesses, nonprofits and consumers,” said 2010 Metro Chamber Board Chair Randy Sater, president, StoneBridge Properties. “But despite the worst economy in the last half century, I’m proud to say, the Sacramento Metro Chamber has not retrenched, but stepped out confidently and forcefully.” W.A.C.E., in particular, called attention to the chamber’s solid financial position, launch of new programs to benefit members and savvy political stances to benefit the region.

Hathaway Staff Person of the Year: Michael Faust
In recognizing Michael Faust as Staff Person of the Year, W.A.C.E. noted that “with his deep passion in public policy, government affairs and economic development, he developed a strategic and tactical plan that has made the Metro Chamber more engaged and relevant throughout the greater Sacramento region.”

“Michael has taken the chamber to a whole new level in the six-county region,” said Matthew Mahood, president & CEO. “Our advocacy work at the State Capitol is being recognized by legislators for its high level of expertise; our Cap-to-Cap to Washington, D.C., has resulted in our region gaining significant federal support and funding for many important and vital regional initiatives. In addition, our Metro Pulse partnership to improve the region’s businesses has expanded and is now internationally recognized for its high impact; and our Northern California World Trade Center has established the new Gateway California international trade show that is bringing our local export market extensive interest from multiple international service providers. All of this—and more—was the result of Michael’s dedication and commitment to our business community.

Outstanding Core Competency in Creating a Strong Local Economy: Business Walks
W.A.C.E. recognized the Metro Chamber’s annual Business Walk program for their competency in supporting a strong local economy. The program began in 2004 as a result of members identifying business retention and expansion as the chamber’s core economic development competency. Businesses are visited by volunteers including local government officials, economic development experts and chamber members who ask: “How is business? What do you like about doing business here? What do you believe must be done to improve local business conditions?” The first walk in 2004 visited just over 100 businesses. More Business Walks were added at request of local chambers and agencies as success grew. In 2010, 10 were conducted, with over 3,000 businesses visited. On Sept. 30, a “super” Business Walk was conducted, involving seven different partners, more than 300 volunteers and 3,000+ businesses visited.

As a result, signage, security, graffiti, street clean-up and other issues have been addressed. The program received the Business Retention & Expansion International Project/Program Impact Award in 2010 for its direct and real impact helping small businesses survive in the economy.

Outstanding Core Competency in Networking: Power Lunches
W.A.C.E. recognized the Metro Chamber’s Power Lunches for their excellence in business people with convenient ways to make new connections while promoting local restaurants. The Power Lunches were conceived to help member restaurants hard hit by the state’s Friday furloughs. Attendance in this program increased 15 percent in 2010, and new regional restaurants signed up to participate in the program.

Communications Excellence: Metro Business Quarterly
The chamber executives also recognized the Metro Chamber’s four-color Metro Business Quarterly with an honorable mention, calling it “an attractive, well-written publication, with a nice open design that successfully carries out its goal of capturing the entrepreneurial spirit of Sacramento Metro Chamber members.”

“The Metro Business Quarterly is distributed to nearly 8,000 business people in the region, and we’re very proud that W.A.C.E. recognizes the professional product that our team publishes on a regular basis that communicates the value and action of our members,” said Dion Dwyer, vice president of membership.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

CH2MHILL’s Eldridge to chair 2011 Sacramento Metro Chamber Board

2011-02-03T23:29:22Z

Greg Eldridge, vice president and area manager for CH2MHILL of Sacramento, will lead the Sacramento Metro Chamber as its 2011 Chairman of the Board.

Eldridge will be inducted Friday, Feb. 4, during the Metro Chamber’s 116th Annual Dinner & Business Awards at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento.

John Frisch, regional manger for the Sacramento real estate firm Cornish & Carey Newmark Knight Frank, will serve as the First Vice Chair. Martha Clark Lofgren, partner with the Sacramento law firm Brewer Lofgren LLP, will be the 2011 Second Vice Chair.

The three will lead a 79-member (voting) board of directors of the Metro Chamber and a 19-member Executive Committee.

Matthew Mahood begins his 10th year as President & CEO. As the leading voice of business in the region, the 2,000-member chamber represents nearly 200,000 employees and covers El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.

The event will also provide a review of the Metro Chamber’s 2010 accomplishments by 2010 Board Chair Randy Sater of StoneBridge Properties.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Four Metro Chamber members are finalists for Inspire Giving award to nonprofits

2011-02-02T20:17:25Z

Four local nonprofit members of the Sacramento Metro Chamber are finalists for the first Inspire Giving award—a $10,000 grant—to be given during the 116th Annual Dinner & Business Awards on Friday, Feb. 4, at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento.

The Inspire Giving program is part of the Metro Chamber’s recently launched Project Inspire that promotes leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy in the community.

Finalists are the Outbound program of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento, the Kinnections Initiative of Lilliput Children’s Services, the Transitioned Aged Youth Program of Lutheran Social Services and the Rebuild initiative of River City Food Bank.

“This first award represents a milestone for our Inspire Giving Fund,” said 2010 Metro Chamber Board Chair Randy Sater, president of StoneBridge Properties. “Currently, we are building the fund to a goal of $1 million, but in the meantime, thanks to the generosity of Sutter Health and Teichert, the Inspire Giving Fund is able to make the initial $10,000 award.”

Project Inspire’s Giving Circle is made up of businesspeople in the six-county region. Individuals who make a minimum contribution may vote at the end of each investment cycle to determine the distribution of the award.

“The idea behind Project Inspire is ‘a little is enough, if enough people do it,’” said Sater, who chairs the Inspire Giving program. “Project Inspire offers people who want to give back to the community a convenient way to do so, through the monthly Volunteer Power Hours and the Inspire Giving fund. We vet the nonprofits we work with to make sure that the volunteers’ time and money will have the greatest impact.”

As finalists, the nonprofits were invited to meet with Giving Circle members and present their projects for consideration. The four finalists were then voted on by ballot.

The winner will be announced during the awards ceremony, which will also recognize Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brice Harris, Ph.D., as the Sacramentan of the Year, and volunteer awards: The Al Geiger Memorial Award to Michele Steeb of St. John's Shelter Program for Women & Children; the Peter McCuen Award for Civic Entrepreneurs to Thomas W. Stallard of Rose Colored Glass Company the Volunteers of the Year to Michael Smith, A. of Teichert & Son and Keri Thomas of Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region; and the Ambassador of the Year to Kristi Beard of TelePacific Communications.

Details about the Inspire Giving Fund finalists are below.

Outbound program of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento
The Outbound Fund will supplement programs by providing youth members, aged 6-18, with the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the walls of the Boys & Girls Club to experience “hands on” and service-learning in conjunction with their regular club programs, activities, curricula and to explore all that the community, region and state have to offer.

Kinnections Initiative of Lilliput Children’s Services
The Kinnections Emergency Support Fund fills vital emergency needs for families served within the Kinnections Initiative project. The KI project places children—who have been removed from their birth parents due to abuse or neglect—with other family members, also known as “kin.”

Transitioned Aged Youth Program of Lutheran Social Services
The Lutheran Social Services Transitioned Aged Youth Program provides permanent and safe transitional housing, as well as pathways to self-sufficiency to gain employment, job skills training and career planning to transition aged youth, 18-24 years who “age out” or “emancipate” from the foster care system and are at high risk of homelessness and a life of poverty.

River City Food Bank Rebuild
The River City Food Bank—the only area food bank that open every weekday to anyone experiencing hunger—is currently buying a new building after its previous site was destroyed in an October 2010 arson fire.

Any community member can participate in the Inspire Giving Fund, which is managed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. More information about Inspire Giving Fund and Project Inspire is available at metrochamber.org/inspire or contact Susan Harris at 916-321-9144 or sharris@metrochamber.org

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber

Metro Chamber to honor Brice Harris as Sacramentan of the Year

2011-01-29T00:19:03Z

Accomplished Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brice Harris is the 2010 Sacramentan of the Year, with the recognition set for the Sacramento Metro Chamber ’s 116th Annual Dinner & Business Awards on Friday, Feb. 4.

The Metro Chamber will also announce that Western Health Advantage President & CEO Garry Maisel is Businessman of the Year and UC Davis Health Center CEO and UC Davis School of Medicine Dean Claire Pomeroy, M.D., M.B.A., is Businesswoman of the Year.

“It’s notable that our top three honorees are in charge of the region’s top-tier nonprofit organizations,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO. “Our regional economy is fortunate to be undergirded by a nonprofit sector that adds billions of dollars each year to local payrolls. Brice, Garry and Claire are true business leaders and their skills at advancing their institutions have benefitted our economy and community many times over.”

Nearly a thousand businesspeople are expected to attend the event that will also highlight the Small Business of the Year and local businesses that have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame.

Here is a complete list of the award winners:

Brice Harris—2010 Sacramentan of the Year
A lifetime community award given annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to the well being of our region over a long period of service

Chancellor Brice Harris is a champion of educational access for all students, an educator who has seriously engaged the business community and a visionary chancellor who has significantly increased the scope and standing of the Los Rios Community College District.

Over the last 15 years under Brice’s leadership, the colleges lept out of traditional boundaries. New satellite campuses were located to attract students who normally wouldn’t attend. The GreenForce Initiative created programs to prepare students for new jobs in the emerging green tech and clean energy fields. Most recently, construction completed on a regional performing arts center at Folsom Lake College will expand the school’s role, creating an arts venue for students, a training center for performance and stagecraft, and a facility to attract professional touring companies.

Perhaps Dr. Harris’ greatest achievement and legacy is the significant impact he has had on improved access for students attending community colleges. Under his tenure, the district has seen an increase in student enrollments of over 65% in twelve short years. Now, nearly one out of every ten adults in the region is attending one of the Los Rios colleges.

Noted by many for his warmth, wit and—a voice that should be bottled and sold—Brice has engaged with business and community leaders on many fronts that benefit the region, people and the economy.

Garry Maisel—Businessman of the Year
Given annually to a businessman to recognize contributions to the growth of their enterprise and community service over a five-year period

As founding president, Garry Maisel has shepherded Western Health Advantage from its start up 13 years ago to a nonprofit organization with $300 million in annual revenue, serving 4,000 local businesses and almost 80,000 employees and their families in the Sacramento region.

Despite the economy, WHA’s growth has accelerated and the organization is positioned well if health care reform is implemented. Garry is currently engaged in advocating for how new insurance exchanges are set up and is focusing on access to those for business owners.

But that’s only half the story. WHA is recognized as a quality provider of health care by the people it serves, again being rated California's No. 1 health plan for member satisfaction in the most recent survey conducted by the state's Office of the Patient Advocate.

Garry’s active work in the community extends to the arts, community development and professional nonprofits, including Mercy Foundation, Hope Productions and the California Association of Health Plans.

Claire Pomeroy, M.D., M.B.A.—Businesswoman of the Year
Given annually to a businesswoman to recognize contributions to the growth of their enterprise and community service over a five-year period

Claire Pomeroy is an infectious disease expert who leads the $1.5 billion UC Davis Health System, is dean of the School of Medicine, CEO of the UC Davis Health System and is credited with guiding major progress in health care.

With nearly 10,000 employees, over 750 students, $200 million in outside research funding and 900,000 outpatient visits each year, UC Davis Health System is a major contributor to the health care industry and economy of the Sacramento region.

Among major advancements, she has integrated the operations of the medical school and teaching hospital, advocated for advancing scientific discoveries to the marketplace and preparing physicians to practice in underserved rural communities. Claire leads an active research team studying viral infections and is a long-time advocate for patients with HIV/AIDS. She has a special interest in healthcare policy, and has guided efforts to advance electronic health records to improve health care. Active in the national arena, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Academic Health Centers, the Administrative Board of the Council of Deans of the Association of American Medical Colleges and on many other boards.

Other awards to be given are:
• Al Geiger Memorial Award—Michele Steeb, St. John's Shelter Program for Women & Children
• Peter McCuen Award for Civic Entrepreneurs—Thomas W. Stallard, Rose Colored Glass Company
• Small Business of the Year—Lester Consulting Group
• Centennial Business Hall of Fame—North Sacramento Land Company
• Business Hall of Fame —The Firehouse Restaurant, Pacific Coast Building Products and Roebbelen Contracting, Inc.
• Volunteers of the Year—Michael Smith, A. Teichert & Son and Keri Thomas, Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region
• Ambassador of the Year—Kristi Beard, TelePacific Communications

For sponsorship information, contact Susan Harris at 916-321-9144 or sharris@metrochamber.org. To register online for the Annual Dinner, click here or contact Chantal LeFevre at 916-319-4260 or clefevre@metrochamber.org.

Sacramento Metro Chamber opposes city "crash tax" proposal

2011-01-25T21:30:47Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber opposes the adoption and implementation of accident/emergency response fees, otherwise known as the “crash tax” currently under consideration by the Sacramento City Council.

"The crash tax would assess nonresidents and residents differently, exceed the cost-based recovery of the actual services delivered or duplicate recovery already levied in taxes for those specific services," said Matthew Mahood, president & CEO.

There are many significant issues with these fees, not the least of which include:

• Insurance policies may not cover what a municipality charges
• Increased claim costs could lead to higher premiums
• The uninsured are given a free ride
• They create an incentive for municipalities to weight fault based on insurers’ claims practices
• They create an incentive to inflate billing
• They unfairly punish non-residents
• Potential for negative impacts to regional commerce

The current economic climate and state budget have led California’s cities, counties, and other municipalities to look enhanced revenue streams to cover the costs of emergency response. This is not a challenge unique to California but one faced by municipalities around the United States.

Various billing-service vendors have taken this opportunity to propose a solution: Enact an ordinance allowing for the billing of accident/emergency response fees. The fees are then billed through the liable parties’ insurance provider. These fees are typically focused on auto collisions, but sometimes include such incidents as structure fires and hazardous materials spills. In certain instances, the ordinance stipulates that the fee will only be charged to nonresidents.

Representing nearly 2,000 member businesses and business organizations in the six-county Sacramento region, the Metro Chamber serves as the region’s leading voice of business and is the leading proponent of regional cooperation on issues affecting business, economic development and quality of life.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Mayor to make State of City address to 900+ business leaders

2011-01-20T01:59:54Z

How the Greenwise Sacramento initiative will further advance our leadership in the green economy; as well as Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's vision for how the city will overcome its many challenges while creating jobs and revitalizing the central core: That's what's on board at the Sacramento Metro Chamber's 19th Annual State of the City Address, Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Sacramento Convention Center.

“The City of Sacramento is focusing on creating momentum within the Green Economy,” said Matt Mahood, Metro Chamber president & CEO. “In many ways our region can showcase success in this industry as we continue to lead the way for other cities statewide. It’s the entrepreneurial spirit of business people that will continue to create a growing Green Economy and we look for local government to continue to support these efforts. Business and government must pull together to make smart fiscal choices that will create a solid economic position for 2011.”

Tickets for this event are sold out, but you can watch it streamed live on the internet thanks to sponsor KCRA Channel 3. Click here to view.

This event is presented by Umpqua Bank.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Innovate: Connect to the new economy created by smart grid, sustainability

2010-11-16T01:43:27Z

Sacramento is one of the nation’s leaders in green technology innovation, clean technology application and sustainable community strategies. Where these sectors converge in our region will be explored at a new Sacramento Metro Chamber forum, Innovate 2010, set for Friday, Nov. 19 at the Hyatt Regency.

Innovate is designed to “connect the dots” between previously separate industries—from energy and telecom to home construction and consumer products. With new technologies emerging, the Sacramento region is uniquely positioned to leverage this convergence of industries to create jobs, advance sustainability and create an economic competitive advantage.

“We can no longer look to the public sector or to the construction industry to pull us out of this economic malaise,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO. “In the new economy, technology and innovation combined with entrepreneurship and financial investment will nurture and grow this new convergence of ideas—creating new links among industry sectors for our region and in it, creating new jobs for our residents.”

Featured Speakers are Professor Andrew Hargadon, faculty director, UC Davis Center for Entrepreneurship; and Jonathan Spalter, chairman, Mobile Futures. See video here of Hargadon speaking about four capital sources needed for innovation.

A panel on the “Business Case for Quality of Life—Health, Education, Housing and More” will include Sandy Kirschenmann, vice chancellor for resource planning with the Los Rios Community College District; Randall Lewis, sustainable communities expert for the Lewis Group of Companies and Mark Wilhelm of GE.

Innovate will be held 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., starting with a buffet lunch and followed by the featured speakers and the panel discussion. Register online here or contact Lindsey Ono at 916-319-4262 or lono@metrochamber.org.

The event will be preceded by a Greenwise Sacramento forum that will feature activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. To register, call 916-808-7952.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Up at Tahoe, South Shore businesses are 'cautiously optimistic'

2010-11-10T17:26:25Z

Businesses expressed cautious optimism in the South Shore Lake Tahoe economy during a sampling conducted Nov. 4, in conjunction with various local organizations and jurisdictions

More than 130 businesses were visited by 41 participants during the South Shore Business Walk. The event was produced by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, El Dorado County Office of Economic Development, City of South Lake Tahoe and TahoeChamber.org,

“Overall, businesspeople reported business was holding strong, and the community is committed to capitalizing on future growth opportunities,” said Eugene Palazzo, Director of Redevelopment and Housing, city of South Lake Tahoe.

Three questions were asked: How’s business, what do you like about doing business on the South Shore, and what can be done to make business even better.

“Of course, what businesspeople like about being in South Lake Tahoe is the lifestyle,” said “B” Gorman, president and CEO of TahoeChamber.org. While a number of businesses commented on how much of their business was derived outside of the Basin and visitors, all commented on the sense of community and the benefits of being a part of this small community. There was a recognition and appreciation for the clients they serve on a daily basis as an advantage to having a business on the South Shore.”

To improve economic conditions, the business walk survey respondents stated that more new families are needed to move to the area, fewer restrictions on signage and fewer permits are all desirable, Gorman said. “Business people also addressed the need for improved promotion of the South Shore and transportation options for visitors and residents to move around the area.”

Survey results will be compiled in a report that will be available at metrochamber.org/businesswalks. The results will be reviewed by City and Tahochamber.org staff for follow-up here in the local community. For more information on business walks, contact Kennedy Cullen, business walk coordinator at 916-319-4277. For more information on local business resources please contact the City Economic Development department at 530-542-6000 or Tahoechamber.org at 775-588-1728.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber

State of Sacramento County event looks at global airline industry, airport

2010-11-09T00:47:32Z

Changes are coming to the commercial airline industry that will affect the region’s businesses. One of the nation’s leading commercial airline industry economic analysts, Bill Swelbar, is the featured speaker at the State of the Sacramento County event, hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Swelbar, a research engineer who advised Congress on the recent merger of Continental and United Airlines, will talk about the global airline industry and its impact on businesses and the Sacramento region.

Also speaking will be Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Roger Dickinson, Interim Sacramento County Executive Steven Szalay and Sacramento County Airport System Director Hardy Acree. The event will be held 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the SacJet Hangar at Sacramento International Airport, 5885 Flightline Circle, Sacramento.

For more information, click here.

Photo: Artist's rendering of concessions at the new Terminal B, Sacramento International Airport.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro Chamber supports functional, not political consolidation of city, county services

2010-11-04T23:20:08Z

As the City and County of Sacramento continue to struggle to balance their budgets, and at the same time look for creative solutions to continue providing essential services, the Sacramento Metro Chamber remains supportive of the concept of functional consolidation of many services currently provided by both entities.

In 2007, on the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Study Mission to Charlotte, N.C., attendees saw firsthand how the City of Charlotte and the County of Mecklenburg successfully consolidated services 20 years ago. They were able to effectively do this without eliminating either city council or county commissioners.

Their services were divided between the two sets of political leadership. Then duplicative departments were consolidated along functional areas to maximize resources, better manage and eliminate costs and develop refined management expertise without duplicative administrative cost.

“Hard economic realities demand that businesses get lean, merge and consolidate to survive,” said Matt Mahood, president and CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber. “Just like the average citizen and employer has become creative to make it through the down economy, taxpayers should expect the same from local government during these tough economic times.”

In the early 1990s, the Metro Chamber spearheaded an unsuccessful effort to have political and functional consolidation of the city and county.

“Our efforts in the 1990s failed because politicians were able to stop the cost-containment efforts by the business community by protecting their political turf,” Mahood said. “In our vision—the vision we have been talking about since returning from Charlotte—cost-savings for local government comes from the consolidation of duplicative efforts and eliminating all wasted and duplicative money as soon as possible.”

The Metro Chamber looks forward to working with all stakeholders as it continues to search for a way to ensure the city and county can continue to provide essential services without wasting taxpayer dollars by having two sets of everything when one functionally consolidated set of services can serve the community.

Hal Silliman is communications director for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro PAC endorses SCUSD candidates with vision for change

2010-10-13T20:04:08Z

Metro PAC, the Sacramento Metro Chamber political action committee, was joined by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson on Oct . 13 to announce the PAC’s support for candidates in the November 2 General Election for Sacramento City Unified School District Board seats.

Metro PAC is endorsing Paige Powell (Area 1), Andie Curso (Area 2) and Shalend Singh (Area 6).

“The Sacramento Metro Chamber has long held an interest in reforming SCUSD schools,” said Metro PAC Vice Chair Frank Washington of Crossings KBTV - Comcast Channel 238. “Our local businesses need qualified, skilled employees for the many jobs available to students after graduation from high school. And we need to send more of our local students on to community colleges and universities for training in the emerging technical fields to supply innovation industries.”

In particular, Washington said school reform is critically needed in grade schools because California school test scores show only 39 percent of third-grade students are reading at grade level in SCUSD schools.

“Compare that to Roseville, where 66 percent of their third-graders are reading at or above their grade level,” he said. “We have a desperate situation here in Sacramento. The candidates who Metro PAC has endorsed—Paige Powell, Andie Curso and Shalend Singh—we believe will provide the quality guidance the SCUSD school board needs right to help our children succeed in school now and in the workplace years later.”

For more information on Metro PAC, click here.

Disclosure: Hal Silliman is the Communictions Director for Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Hot business walk: More than 1,200 visits made

2010-10-01T19:12:13Z

Billed as the largest Business Walk in the nation, nearly 300 business people along with representatives of local chambers of commerce and public agencies, Sept. 30, swarmed out across 105 commercial corridors to ask a simple question: How’s business?

The answers given were upbeat and positive about the future.

In heat that felt like summer, more than 1,200 businesses had been visited, according to Matt Yancey, director of development for the Sacramento Metro Chamber. An official tally will be made soon, along with a report of the Business Walk findings, but several officials called it “the largest in the nation.”

Of course, how business is depends on the business doing the talking. Barbara Moore, co-owner of the family run Vannelli Foods in Placer County’s Sunset industrial park, is looking to hire dozen new workers to meet the demands of new deals to supply grocery chains with the company’s high-quality raviolis. What the company needs, Moore said, is additional electric power, plant space and working capital.

Just across the street from the ravioli plant, is Extra Innings, a franchise sports facility in the Sunset industrial park, where business has been slower than usual—but during the winter—it’s reservations only and baseball fans are turned away, said Barbara Bonnin, an employee.

“When it rains, we’re packed,” Bonnin said.

Taking notes on all this were business walkers Placer County associate planner Alex Fisch and area newcomer and jobseeker herself former project manager Michelle Thomas. They made up one of nearly 100 teams of two and three people for the day representing—in the words of Placer County Economic Development Director Dave Snyder, “an unprecedented partnership and collaboration on a grand scale.” That grand scale included representatives from Granite Bay area, city of Rocklin, Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce, city of Lincoln, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, city of Roseville, Roseville Chamber of Commerce, Placer County and the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. Since 2007, this international award-winning strategy—called Metro Pulse—has logged face-to-face contacts of more than 5,000 businesses. In 2009, the Metro Chamber assisted its partners on five Business Walks, and currently the 2010 schedule will double that figure.

Snyder addressed the 300 who joined up in the morning at William Jessup University, telling them their volunteer work “trumpets a powerful message to potential and existing businesses alike—South Placer County is open for business.”

Or as Rocklin Mayor Scott Yuill said, “For those of who say government doesn’t work for you—your work today proves them all wrong.”

Called the fundamental outreach strategy at the core of the region’s efforts to support existing businesses, the Metro Pulse partnership is made up of 16 economic development agencies and partners in the six-county region. During the visitation, three questions are asked: how’s business, what do you like about doing business here, and how can business be improved.

The afternoon wrap-up session—when all 300 participants regrouped at Thunder Valley Casino to go over their findings—found that “although in most cases, businesses was down to varying degree, to a business, they all said they were positive and upbeat about the future,” reported Snyder.

Indeed, no matter the locale—Granite Bay, Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln or the Sunset industrial pocket—businesses reported being very happy with their location, happier with the fact that most people worked near where they live and impressed by the friendliness of customer and their loyalty.

Hal Silliman is the Communictions Director for Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Arden Arcade business conditions get surveyed tomorrow

2010-09-23T20:53:09Z

Businesses in Arden Arcade will be surveyed Friday, Sept. 24, during the annual Arden Arcade Business Walk to check on local economic conditions.

The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. Since 2007, this international award-winning strategy—called Metro Pulse—has logged face-to-face contacts of nearly 5,000 businesses. In 2009, the Metro Chamber assisted its partners on five Business Walks, and currently the 2010 schedule will double that figure.

More than 40 participants are scheduled to visit more than 100 businesses along nine commercial corridors in the Arden Arcade district. Joining together to conduct the walk are the Arden Arcade Business Council, Fulton Avenue Association, Sacramento Metro Chamber and the county of Sacramento.

Participants go into businesses of all kinds—retail, office, industrial, commercial—and ask three questions: how’s business, what do you like about doing business here and what needs to be improved. What they hear immediately gets to economic development staff that can help with issues that arise.

The Business Walk begins with a 7:30 a.m. orientation session and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express/Cal Expo, 2224 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento. The walk commences at 9 a.m. and concludes with a wrap-up session and lunch back at the hotel.

Business people are encouraged to participate to gain relationships and contacts in the area. For event day information, contact Matt Yancey, Metro Chamber director of economic development, at 916-317-3748.

Hal Silliman is director of communications for the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Upcoming So. Placer Business Walk: One day, 1000+ businesses

2010-09-16T23:19:31Z

South Placer County leaders are inviting businesspeople and others to attempt an amazing feat: In one day, help visit more than 1,000 businesses during a massive Business Walk on Thursday, Sept. 30, to check on local business conditions.

The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. Since 2007, this international award-winning strategy—called Metro Pulse—has logged face-to-face contacts of more than 5,000 businesses. In 2009, the Sacramento Metro Chamber assisted its partners on five Business Walks, and currently the 2010 schedule will double that figure.

More than 200 participants will visit five different locales, joining others from the Granite Bay area, city of Rocklin , Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce, city of Lincoln , Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, city of Roseville , Roseville Chamber of Commerce and Placer County , in partnership with the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

“Business Walks help us to keep our finger on the pulse of the business community throughout Placer County ,” said Dave Snyder, Placer County director of economic development. “We’re always looking for ways to improve the business climate and this kind of outreach is an important opportunity to learn how we can help employers to better succeed in the marketplace.”

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with an orientation session at William Jessup University, 333 Sunset Blvd., Rocklin, participants break into teams and spend three hours visiting businesses. A wrap-up session with refreshments where teams report their findings concludes the day at Thunder Valley Casino, 1200 Athens Ave., Lincoln.

Business people are encouraged to participate to gain relationships and contacts in the area. There is no charge to participate. Register online here.

Disclosure Note: Hal Silliman is the Communictions Director for Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Metro Chamber study mission to mine Seattle for ideas

2010-09-14T20:34:35Z

Sixty business and civic leaders are looking to Seattle for ideas from how to fix up the waterfront, more readily turn academic research into new local businesses and become a greener city, during the annual Sacramento Metro Chamber Study Mission, Sept. 15-17.

This is the second Study Mission to Seattle. The Metro Chamber’s first Study Mission 12 years ago visited the Pacific Northwest city, looking for ideas on downtown core renaissance, transportation and art and cultural amenities. Over the last dozen years, Study Missions have visited other cities like Atlanta, Ga; Austin, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Denver, Colo; Cincinnati, Ohio; Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego.

Seattle is at the forefront of all things green. During the past two years, Seattle has ranked among the best U.S. cities for the size of its carbon footprint by the Brookings Institution and has been called one of the country's cleanest cities by Forbes magazine.

“With extended, rapid, consistent and quality growth, the Seattle region has one of the strongest local economies in the nation,” said Matt Mahood, president and CEO. “The 2010 Study Mission explores how sectors of this economic powerhouse have been nurtured and developed by formidable public-private cooperation.”

Study topics also include affordable regional health care programs, creating a strong downtown core, building and supporting entertainment and sports amenities, economic development, farm-to-table, sustainable social services and more.

“The city of Seattle and the greater region have capitalized on their location and quality-of-life to attract a strong, creative workforce,” Mahood said. “This has resulted in Seattle having an unparalleled sense of place and amazing innovation. We are looking forward to bringing back their best practices for the opportunities that face us here in Sacramento.”

For more information, visit www.metrochamber.org/studymission.

Survey finds Metro Chamber businesses sustain themselves in current economy

2010-09-09T16:45:40Z

A survey of Sacramento Metro Chamber members for the first half of 2010 shows that the region’s businesspeople are sustaining themselves and believe that economic conditions will improve next year.

Two-thirds of the survey respondents cited the perception of a weak business climate and the state’s ongoing budget crisis as the key issues impacting the economy right now.

“The uncertain business climate created by negative headlines and the lack of a state budget make it hard for businesses to plan for the future,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO.

With more than 10 percent of members responding, the Metro Chamber’s survey on the economy found that businesses seem to be sustaining themselves by making wise decisions that keep their doors open while eliminating risk, Mahood said.

Five key findings were:

• There was about a 50-50 split between those business whose profits were static or up and those whose profits had declined in the first half of the year.
• Two-thirds were planning on maintaining their current employment levels over the next six months.
• More than half said business conditions were “fair.”
• Fewer businesses than last year were planning on delaying capital expenditures.
• Nearly two-thirds saw no change in business conditions, but nearly half said they would improve next year.

An added question for the 2010 survey asked members about their own personal finances. Nearly two-thirds reported delaying purchases of durable goods (excluding autos) while 30 percent said they delayed purchasing an auto.

“The upside of these reports on delays in purchases means that there is a growing future demand for goods in our economy,” Mahood said.

Metro Chamber announces statewide ballot proposition endorsements

2010-09-08T23:35:46Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber announces recommendations on eight important statewide ballot propositions appearing on the Nov. 2 ballot, with decisions framed by each initiative’s impact on how they will create a consistent and stable business environment for building jobs and prosperity.

These positions were developed after research and investigation by a special chamber Task Force. Its recommendations were forwarded to the chamber’s Executive Committee for vote and then to the entire 76-member board for ultimate adoption.

“We have carefully considered each proposition, making sure that our stance is consistent with our declared Guiding Principles and previous positions,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO. “We don’t rubber stamp proposed legislation. Our positions are developed and sustained over many years and take into account our active state legislative positions and our federal policies adopted during our annual Capitol-to-Capitol Program.”

Support
• Proposition 20 - Redistricting of Congressional Districts. Initiative Constitutional Amendment

This measure is consistent with previous Metro Chamber positions, specifically Proposition 11 in 2008, and expanding the scope of work of the Citizens Redistricting Commission to include Congressional Districts is appropriate. By doing so, it will help ensure the most competitive districts feasible.

• Proposition 22 - Prohibits the State from Taking Funds Used for Transportation or Local Government Projects and Services. Initiative Constitutional Amendment

It is important to protect local government funding (including transportation funds) from raids by the legislature. This measure will ensure the nexus from which state funds are raised to how they will be spent in the outlined measures for state transportation bonds, state fuel tax revenues, redevelopment agency property taxes and vehicle license fee (VLF).

Oppose
• Proposition 19 - Regulate Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010: Changes California Law to Legalize Marijuana and Allow It to Be Regulated and Taxed. Initiative Statute

This measure is not in the business communities’ best interest for either public safety or workplace safety, and in many work environments it could degrade operational safety.
• Proposition 23 - Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year. Initiative Statute

The Metro Chamber is on the record, for the past three years, supporting the general concepts represented in AB 32. Additionally, our continued advocacy for a balanced approach and implementation of AB 32 is more in line with our stated Capitol-to-Capitol Program polices in the areas of air quality and climate change.

• Proposition 24 - Repeals Recent Legislation That Would Allow Businesses to Carry Back Losses, Share Tax Credits, and Use a Sales-Based Income Calculation to Lower Taxable Income. Initiative Statute

Opposition to this measure is important in an effort to retain and recruit employers to the state of California. To do this, it will remain important for employers to be able to deduct losses in one year against income in more situations, and rather than making this option more restrictive, we must continue to allow most multistate businesses the ability to choose to have their California income determined based only on a single sales factor and provide the flexibility for a business to be able to share its tax credits with related businesses.

• Proposition 25 - Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass a Budget from Two Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment

It is important that the Legislature’s vote requirement to send an annual budget bill to the Governor remain unchanged. The Metro Chamber believes that given the current make-up of the Legislature, this requirement is needed to provide a business-friendly budget.

• Proposition 27 - Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting With Elected Representatives. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

This measure is inconsistent with past Metro Chamber positions (Proposition 11 in 2008, which the Metro Chamber supported). The responsibility to determine district boundaries of State and Congressional districts (see Prop. 20 above) should remain with the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission established in 2008. By keeping the authority with the Commission, it will help ensure the most competitive districts feasible and will ensure that voters in “communities of interest,” as defined in Proposition 11, are fairly represented.

No Position
• Proposition 21 - California Proposition 21, Vehicle License Fee for Parks (2010)

There’s not a legitimate nexus between the VLF fee and funding of parks and wildlife conservation. The state parks and wildlife conservation programs should continue to be funded through existing state and local funding sources. Patrons accessing state parks should continue to be charged admission and parking fees as they enter state parks. The erosion of nexus between tax collection and use has contributed to the current state of fiscal imbalance and voter frustration. Additionally, there are no protections that these funds, once established, could not be raided by the State Legislature for other purposes.

Rep. Lungren to meet Arden Arcade business leaders Sept. 9

2010-09-07T22:39:13Z

Third District Congressman Dan Lungren, R-Gold River, will brief Arden Arcade business and civic leaders Thursday, Sept. 9, on issues and pending legislation that will impact the business community.

Rep. Lungren will attend the monthly Arden Arcade Meet & Greet/Arden Arcade Business Council meeting, set for 8-9:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Metro Chamber office, One Capitol Mall, Suite 300, Sacramento.

“We are pleased that Congressman Lungren will share his insights with our member businesses,” said Dion Dwyer, vice president of membership. “This is one of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s signature functions: To provide an opportunity for businesspeople to share with elected officials what they need to grow jobs and their businesses.”

The monthly AABC meetings are open to all who do business or have interest in the Arden Arcade district. The AABC is a committee of the Sacramento Metro Chamber. In upcoming months, Assemblymember Roger Niello and Sacramento County Supervisor Susan Peters will speak to the council about needs in the Arden Arcade business community.

To attend the meeting, register online here or contact Robert Welton at 916-319-4268 or rwelton@metrochamber.org.

Leadership Sacramento program to receive ‘Business Hero’ award

2010-09-01T17:23:43Z

For the second time this year, the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Leadership Sacramento program will be honored for its positive impact on the community.

Lilliput Children’s Services will name Leadership Sacramento the organization’s “Business Hero” during its 30th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the California Museum.

“This outstanding recognition befits Leadership Sacramento’s mission of cultivating well-informed, compassionate leaders who are not only in touch with the needs of the community, but who also understand the impact that can be made when businesses collaborate to benefit a common cause,” said 2010 Leadership Sacramento Chair Michael Smith of Teichert.

Founded in 1985, Leadership Sacramento is a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber that develops community-minded business and civic leadership. This year-long interactive program provides a behind-the-scenes view of the issues that impact the region’s economic prosperity, quality of life and culminates in the completion of a community project. Currently, there are more than 900 alumni of the program.

The 2008 Leadership Sacramento Class project benefitted Lilliput Children’s Services, with the class raising more than $200,000 in cash and in-kind support for the nonprofit organization’s Kinship Support Services Program.

Leadership Sacramento earned the “People Helping People Award” from the Community Services Planning Council earlier this year for the 2009 Class Project that benefitted Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sacramento, including support of the SPORTS BIGS program. This program provides special opportunities for adults to help build mentoring friendships through the use of sporting events that may have otherwise been out of reach for the child.

The 2011 Leadership Sacramento class marks the 25th year of the program. Applications are currently open and available at metrochamber.org/leadershipsacramento. Contact Shirley Kwan Smith for more details at 916-321-1946 or ssmith@metrochamber.org.

Metro Pulse receives international award for high impact to region's businesses

2010-08-17T16:51:47Z

The region’s Metro Pulse program, managed by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, today received international acclaim for its impact in promoting success and growth of Sacramento’s region’s businesses.

At the Business Retention & Expansion International Conference being held in New Orleans, Metro Pulse was given the BR&E Project/Program Impact Award, in part for its high-volume outreach effort.

Over the last three years, Metro Pulse has conducted nearly 5,000 business visits and business walks where economic development and business officials meet directly with owners and managers of retail, commercial, service and manufacturing businesses of all sizes.

In the award citation, Metro Pulse program was recognized for being “truly innovative,” with significant impacts that include follow-up information for each visited businesses; a high level of knowledge mobilization and implementation of successful strategies across local government boundaries; and the new partnerships formed and developed resulting in increased efficiencies, cost reductions, and service increases.

“Metro Pulse is a unique private-public partnership,” said Michael Faust, Sacramento Metro Chamber senior vice president of public policy and economic development while accepting the award on behalf of the program’s strategic partners. “High impact is achieved by bringing together business people and public sector officials. Metro Pulse helps identify and solve business challenges, helps them overcome those challenges, thus contributing to the region’s prosperity.”

As managing partner, the Sacramento Metro Chamber provides support and operations for Metro Pulse’s strategic partners, made up of economic development agencies, organizations and sponsors in the six-county region. They include Applied Development Economics, City of Folsom, City of Lincoln, City of Rancho Cordova, City of Roseville, City of Sacramento, City of West Sacramento, Sacramento County, El Dorado County, Los Rios Community College District, PG&E, Placer County, SETA, SMUD and Yolo County.

“PG&E recognizes the importance of supporting regional efforts such as Metro Pulse, and appreciates the added value it has had on the overall experience of our customers,” said Clay Schmidt, PG&E energy solutions and service manager, Sacramento region.

Among successes counted by program include a Metro Pulse professional discovering that a local metal fabricating company being charged the wrong utility rate, working with the utility to correct the error and identify other cost savings; assisting a printing company with hiring and developing a business plan; informing an equipment company that it was in an enterprise zone and help it qualify for EZ tax credits; and helping a tools company work through the maze of pending permits in an area soon to be annexed.

“The power of Metro Pulse is the face-to-face contact,” Faust said. “Most business owners or managers don’t get the chance to deal with permitting issues or utility concerns in a face-to-face meeting. Metro Pulse solves this challenge—and dilemma—by having the economic development professional walk into their business. That professional then becomes a quarterback for the business.”

Metro Pulse also helped the region quantify the impact on the local economy of the health care and biosciences industry. In 2009, Metro Pulse reported that health care and biosciences industry cluster had a $33.5 billion economic impact in the Sacramento metro area, supporting 240,000 employees whose salaries are 20 percent of the region’s payroll—based upon 2007 statistics.

Organized by the Sacramento Metro Chamber in 2007, Metro Pulse embodies the belief by the chamber that business and public agencies can work together for the good of all. One of the most visible activities of Metro Pulse are the annual Business Walks conducted in neighborhoods, districts, cities and county locales. Volunteer business people teamed up with public sector officials visit businesses to survey business conditions and where improvements can be made. In the last two years, visits have been made to Arden Arcade, Broadway area (city of Sacramento), El Dorado Hills, Power Inn Road area, Placerville, Rancho Cordova Rocklin, Shingle Springs/Cameron Park, West Sacramento and Woodland.

“Business Walks are a valuable benefit to Sacramento County,” said Jim Pardun, a manager in the Department of Economic Development. “The county doesn’t have a business retention program per se, but through Metro Pulse and the Business Walks, we hear directly from businesses about their needs. For instance, we heard that the big shopping areas in Arden Arcade needed expanded sheriff’s patrols during the holidays, so we added the “Grinch Patrol” to reduce thefts, auto burglaries and pan-handling.”

Added Ted Gaebler, city manager for Rancho Cordova, “The city of Rancho Cordova understands that one of the strengths of our community is the diverse and thriving job base. One of the best ways to build relationships and introduce ourselves to the business community is through the Metro Pulse Business Walk model.”

For more information on Metro Pulse, contact Michael Faust at 916-321-9115.

Photo: Business Walk participants visit Edible Arrangements in Arden Arcade during the 2009 event; the next Business Walk in Arden Arcade is Sept. 24. A large, multi-jurisdiction Business Walk in South Placer County will be held Sept. 30. Participants are wanted and can register online here.

Metro Chamber applauds member Intel for health care venture with GE

2010-08-03T00:12:26Z

The announcement this week that Intel Corp. and General Electric Co. will create a joint venture health care company in the Sacramento area further confirms a Sacramento Metro Chamber study that found existing health care industries in the region will serve as a catalyst for new business development.

By uniting Intel’s Digital health Group and GE Healthcare’s Home Health division, the two companies will be innovating by creating new models of care delivery that promote healthy, independent living at home and in assisted living communities around the world, focusing on three major segments: chronic disease management, independent living and assistive technologies. Intel Corp has been a Metro Chamber member since 1984.

In initially employing 100 people, the join Intel-GE venture will contribute to a health care and biosciences cluster that supports more than 240,000 employees in the region, according to the Metro Chamber Health Care & Biosciences Economic Impact Report of 2009.

The impact report found that in 2007, the health care and biosciences industry cluster had a $33.5 billion economic impact in the Sacramento metro area. Businesses in this cluster directly employ more than 120,000 people and industry purchases and employee spending supports an additional 121,000 additional jobs.

“One out of five payroll dollars in the metro area is related to the health care and biosciences sector,” said Michael Faust, Sacramento Metro Chamber senior vice president for public policy and economic development. “With Intel and GE combining forces, the health care and biosciences sector is continuing to show strength and grow as it meets the needs of an aging population. We welcome this new venture to the region.”

Visit Health Care Impact Report PDF to view complete details of the Metro Chamber study.

Business Walk set for Rancho Cordova on July 23

2010-07-21T17:52:16Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Business Walk heads to Rancho Cordova on July 23.

Partnering with the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce and the city of Rancho Cordova, the Metro Chamber will visit more than 120 businesses, asking three simple questions: How’s business, what do you like about doing business here and what can be improved?

The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. Over the last two years, that strategy—called Metro Pulse—has logged visitations of more than 2,300 businesses. In 2009, the Metro Chamber and its partners held five Business Walks, and currently the 2010 schedule will double that figure.

“The City of Rancho Cordova understands that one of the strengths of our community is the diverse and thriving job base. One of the best ways to build relationships and introduce ourselves to the business community is through the business walk model,” said Micah Runner, city of Rancho Cordova.

The Business Walks help initiate contacts with businesses in the region and is the start of an ongoing conversation to assists businesses with the resources they need to succeed. Volunteers, who include business people and city staff, will visit all types of businesses in the Rancho Cordova area.

Business people are encouraged to participate to gain relationships and contacts in the area. There is no charge to participate. Register online here.

The Business Walk will begin at Hotel Sierra, 11260 Point East Drive, in Rancho Cordova with a breakfast and orientation session. The event runs 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photo: The 2009 Rancho Cordova Business Walk visited nearly 180 businesses.

Broadway district to see Business Walk tomorrow, June 10

2010-06-09T18:30:10Z

On Broadway—that’s where the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Business Walk heads on Thursday, June 10.

Partnering with the Greater Broadway Partnership and the city of Sacramento, the Metro Chamber intends to visit all of the businesses in the Broadway District, asking three simple questions: How’s business, what do you like about doing business here and what can be improved?

The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion. Over the last two years, that strategy—called Metro Pulse—has logged visitations of more than 2,300 businesses. In 2009, the Metro Chamber and its partners held five Business Walks, and currently the 2010 schedule will double that figure.

“During the Business Walk, we are looking forward to the opportunity to listen to the businesses and to learn from them what they believe is important, especially in this difficult economic time,” said Teresa Rocha, executive director for the Greater Broadway Partnership.

The Business Walks help initiate contacts of businesses in the region and is the start of an ongoing conversation to assists businesses with the resources they need to succeed. Volunteers, who include business people and agency staff, will visit all types of businesses in the Broadway district. More than 50 Business Walkers are signed up to participate and the goal is to visit the nearly 200 businesses in the district.

“The city of Sacramento is committed to keeping the Greater Broadway District business community safe and prosperous,” said Councilmember Robert Fong, who represents the Broadway area. “The Walk will allow community civic leaders to pinpoint concerns and provide businesses with resources necessary to help them succeed.”

Businesspeople are encouraged to participate to gain relationships and contacts in the district. There is no charge to participate. Register online at metrochamber.org/events.

The Business Walk will begin at Beatnik Studios, 2421 17th St., with a breakfast and orientation session. The event runs 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Founded in 1895, the Sacramento Metro Chamber is the largest, oldest and most prominent voice of business in the greater Sacramento area. Representing nearly 2,200 member businesses and business organizations in the six-county Sacramento region, the Metro Chamber has for 115 years served as the region’s leading proponent of regional cooperation and primary advocate on issues affecting business, economic development and quality of life.

Doors open today at 12:30 for biz-to-biz trade show Metro Expo

2010-05-25T16:22:55Z

Doors open at 12:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 25, for Metro Expo, the Sacramento Metro Chamber's annual business-to-business trade show. The event will be held on the Third Floor at the Sacramento Convention Center.

Seven free workshops will help business learn how to connect with more profits. The workshops run 1-5 p.m. (See list below). A networking reception 5-7 p.m. will conclude the day of networking. Tickets are $35 for Metro Chamber members and $45 for nonmembers. Get more details at metrochamber.org/expo.

METRO EXPO WORKSHOPS

CONTRACTING WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Learn about different small business programs and requirements from a panel of government agencies. Find out if your business is eligible for bid preferences when contracting with these government agencies and where to find different bidding and contracting opportunities.

IS YOUR WEB SITE MAKING YOU MONEY,SAVING YOU MONEY...OR JUST COSTING YOU MONEY?
This innovative program on web marketing is designed to help your business stand out when compared to the competition, to build your brand recognition, develop your reputation and -- most important -- increase sales. Special attention is paid to web development, web maintenance, web optimization and web marketing. If you have a web site, now is the time to come to this seminar and learn about how you can improve traffic and results. And if you don't, now is the time to come to learn what works best in the interactive space.

I'M CERTIFIED, NOW WHAT?
Take your small business and disabled veteran business enterprise certification to the next level. Everything from marketing your business to state agencies to making the best use of the SB/DVBE option is covered.

EMAIL MARKETING: KEYS TO SUCCESS
Whether you are new to email marketing or have been doing it awhile, it doesn't have to be complicated. When done right, it's surprisingly easy and effective. This session gives an overview of how to use email marketing to get the results you want, complete with how to avoid being "canned as SPAM" and how to create the perfect email.

ACCESSING BANKING CAPITAL IN TODAY'S ECONOMY
Are you worried about the cost of business going up in the near future? Take advantage of this unique panel discussion that has some of the region's banking experts discussing capital opportunities and banking techniques that every small business owner should be aware of in the current economic environment. Bring your questions and engage in the conversation.

FEDERAL STIMULUS OPPORTUNITIES
California has been awarded the most American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding of any state -- estimated at $85 billion dollars. The ARRA money and California's economic recovery is tied directly to the success of our business community, particularly our small businesses and disabled veteran-owned firms. In three easy steps, learn how to get the most of your certification, find ARRA-funded projects as well as contact information for the state, federal and local government.

HOW TO USE EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TO GET REAL RESULTS
Email marketing is still a powerful marketing tool in this era of burgeoning social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. In fact, it substantially increases the overall effectiveness of social marketing campaigns. This session will cover why strategically integrating email marketing with social media can maximize your marketing efforts to deliver real results.

May 25 Metro Expo: One day, thousands of contacts, seven great workshops

2010-05-20T23:37:12Z

Tuesday, May 25, is your chance to connect with more than 1,000 business people in just one afternoon at the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual trade show Metro Expo at the Sacramento Convention Center.

This business-to-business trade show features more than 150 exhibitors, a slate of state and government agencies eager to do business with small business and seven workshops that will help business improving their bottom lines.

Metro Expo doors open at noon. A 5-7 p.m. networking reception will top off the day.

Two-for-one tickets are available until 5 p.m. Friday, May 21; after that time, tickets available on-site are $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Get details at metrochamber.org/expo. Contact Lindsey Ono at 916-319-4276 for event information.

FREE METRO EXPO WORKSHOP SERIES

CONTRACTING WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Learn about different small business programs and requirements from a panel of government agencies. Find out if your business is eligible for bid preferences when contracting with these government agencies and where to find different bidding and contracting opportunities.

IS YOUR WEB SITE MAKING YOU MONEY,SAVING YOU MONEY...OR JUST COSTING YOU MONEY?
This innovative program on web marketing is designed to help your business stand out when compared to the competition, to build your brand recognition, develop your reputation and -- most important -- increase sales. Special attention is paid to web development, web maintenance, web optimization and web marketing. If you have a web site, now is the time to come to this seminar and learn about how you can improve traffic and results. And if you don't, now is the time to come to learn what works best in the interactive space.

I'M CERTIFIED, NOW WHAT?
Take your small business and disabled veteran business enterprise certification to the next level. Everything from marketing your business to state agencies to making the best use of the SB/DVBE option is covered.

EMAIL MARKETING: KEYS TO SUCCESS
Whether you are new to email marketing or have been doing it awhile, it doesn't have to be complicated. When done right, it's surprisingly easy and effective. This session gives an overview of how to use email marketing to get the results you want, complete with how to avoid being "canned as SPAM" and how to create the perfect email.

ACCESSING BANKING CAPITAL IN TODAY'S ECONOMY
Are you worried about the cost of business going up in the near future? Take advantage of this unique panel discussion that has some of the region's banking experts discussing capital opportunities and banking techniques that every small business owner should be aware of in the current economic environment. Bring your questions and engage in the conversation.

FEDERAL STIMULUS OPPORTUNITIES
California has been awarded the most American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding of any state -- estimated at $85 billion dollars. The ARRA money and California's economic recovery is tied directly to the success of our business community, particularly our small businesses and disabled veteran-owned firms. In three easy steps, learn how to get the most of your certification, find ARRA-funded projects as well as contact information for the state, federal and local government.

HOW TO USE EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TO GET REAL RESULTS
Email marketing is still a powerful marketing tool in this era of burgeoning social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. In fact, it substantially increases the overall effectiveness of social marketing campaigns. This session will cover why strategically integrating email marketing with social media can maximize your marketing efforts to deliver real results.

Metro Chamber's biz-to-biz trade show part of Gov.'s Collaboration series

2010-05-11T18:04:01Z

More than a thousand businesses from across the region will gather Tuesday, May 25, at the Sacramento Convention Center to discover new contacts, exchange leads and obtain useful management skills and information on the latest products and services.

Metro Expo is part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Collaboration Conference, which is an ongoing effort to connect small business with contracting opportunities and certification information. Metro Expo features city, state and federal agencies (below) seeking small- and medium-sized vendors for bid opportunities.

The annual business-to-business trade show hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber will also include more than 120 top service and product vendors. The half-day expo will also feature business seminars by local experts. Attendees can get their small businesses certified to do business with local, state or federal agencies. The day ends with a networking reception.

Tickets are available on a two-for-one basis—or $30 for a pair. Exhibit Hall hours are 1-5 p.m.; networking is 5-7 p.m.

Government Agencies Exhibiting and Looking for Small Business Vendors
• CA State University
• California Highway Patrol
• California Taxpayer Advocates (EDD, FTB, BOE, IRS)
• Consumer Affairs
• DDS
• Department of General Services (DGS)
• DMV
• DTSC
• Employment Development
• Fish and Game
• Food and Agriculture
• Franchise Tax Board
• Health Care Services
• Rehabilitation
• Resources, Recycling & Recovery (Calrecycle)
• Resources, Forestry and Fire Protection
• State Board of Equalization - Taxpayer's Rights
• Veteran's Affairs
• Water Resources

To register, visit metrochamber.org/expo or contact Lindsey Ono at 916-319-4262. Take a video tour of Metro Expohere.

Cap-to-Cap to celebrate Earth Day with carbon offsets

2010-04-19T10:48:51Z

With Earth Day’s 40th celebration just days away, the Sacramento Metro Chamber proudly announces that 300 delegates travel for the Capitol-to-Capitol advocacy program is “green.”

Metro Chamber member Sacramento Municipal Utility District has once again provided carbon offsets for the official travel portion of each Cap-to-Cap delegate. This is the third year in a row that SMUD has sponsored reduction of the delegation’s carbon footprint.

“SMUD’s carbon offset program is retiring 295 tonnes of greenhouse gas offsets on behalf of our delegation,” said Metro Chamber President & CEO Matt Mahood. “For each delegate, that would be .93 tons of CO2 for a roundtrip flight Sacramento to Washington D.C. The Metro Chamber appreciates this gesture by SMUD.”

The carbon offsets are third-party verified and registered with the Climate Action Reserve.

“Our delegation is here in the nation’s capital working on priorities to reasonably address global warming issues,” Mahood said. “From a typical chamber’s perspective, we have taken a progressive policy position on climate change. Additionally, we have made adoption of clean technology and energy efficiency policies as an opportunity to create jobs and business growth in our region. Sacramento is uniquely positioned to lead the state in this new and emerging industry sector.”

Interestingly, both the Metro Chamber’s Cap-to-Cap and Earth Day were both founded in 1970, Mahood noted, but the chamber has a long history of working on environmental issues. “In the 1980s, we advocated for improving air quality. In 2003, we vigorously advocated to get SMOG Check II implemented in the Bay Area to improve our air quality—that was a Cap-to-Cap success.”

The Metro Chamber delegation is in D.C. until April 21; and the 300 participants will hold nearly 250 meetings with elected and administration officials. Of those meetings, 23 are dedicated to appointments advocating for the Sacramento region’s clean energy and green technology priorities. A few of the key projects throughout the region are:

• Zero-emission power plant research in Rancho Cordova
• Solar-powered processing at Sacramento county wastewater treatment plant
• Increased biogas production from wastewater treatment to generate electric power
• Roseville-based processing station to turn restaurant waste into electric power

Monday, the delegation will meet with U.S. Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu, former chief of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

Dr. Chu is charged with helping implement President Obama’s ambitious agenda to invest in clean and renewable energy, end reliance on foreign oil, address the global climate crisis and create millions of new jobs. To that end, he is expected to comment during his address to the Cap-to-Cap delegation on the Sacramento region’s bold strategy to be the Green Capital of California

A top Cap-to-Cap priority is supporting the Lawrence Berkeley Lab-led proposal to establish in Northern California a cluster of institutions and organizations developing and getting to market energy efficient building systems. These would include UC Davis, the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA), the Los Rios Community College District, PG&E, SMUD and Sacramento State University.

The Department of Energy has $127 million available for this proposal called the Energy Efficiency Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster, E-RIC.

“Our region’s commitment to leadership in clean and green energy has provided us a strong foundation to be an active partner in the important E-RIC opportunity, which will be a game changer,” said Meg Arnold, SARTA CEO.

The Northern California proposal brings unmatched assets to the challenge of developing new energy efficiency technologies, commercializing them, and developing new business and jobs to bring new technologies to market, including:

• Applied Research: UC Davis’ Energy Efficiency Center has a core focus on building systems and is already testing new energy efficient technologies in real world applications.

• Policy Leadership: California leads the nation in establishing policy goals and regulatory standards to improve energy efficiency so much that California’s per capita energy use is about what it was 30 years ago, despite expansion of energy using technologies throughout homes and businesses

• Technology Transfer/Business Development: Northern California leads the world in venture capitalists who invest in new technologies, business development organizations such as SARTA which facilitate commercialization of innovation emerging out of research institutions and the Los Rios Community College Small Business Development Center which supports the viability of small businesses

• Jobs/Technical Training: Community colleges, Workforce Investment Boards, and apprentice-training programs have all created green job training programs which are already producing the workers needed in all aspects of energy efficient building, new construction and retrofits.

• Utilities: The major utilities in Northern California, PG&E, SMUD, and Roseville Electric are leaders in early adoption and deployment of efficiency measures and offer both investor-owned and municipal business models to demonstrate integration of energy efficiency in a variety of utility governance. Already, SMUD is partnering with Sacramento State University on one of the nation’s largest deployments of “smart grid” technology.

• Business climate: California’s leadership role in policy and standards has created a market for energy efficiency that is attracting new business investment from throughout the world from companies who want to be at the center of the policy action and who want to leverage the resulting market demand into tangible businesses and jobs.

Metro Chamber announces business-to-business trade show

2010-03-30T18:47:40Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber announces that the 2010 Metro Expo trade show will be held Tuesday, May 25, at the Sacramento Convention Center. It will offer hundreds of opportunities for small businesses from around the region to meet other small business owners.

In a post-event survey, 49 responding businesses who exhibited in the 2009 Metro Expo reported inking deals worth more than $1 million. That’s more than $20,000 for each surveyed business. Last year’s trade show attracted more than 1,500 participants.

Case in point: Sue Peppers of Peppers TV, a Mather-based video production company. “From that event, we signed a $22,000 contract,” Peppers wrote in a thank-you letter.

Metro Expo offers another opportunity to improve your business’s revenues: Sell to a state agency. Despite budget troubles, the state still needs products and services. Their agencies attend Metro Expo to make connections with small firms. In fact, Metro Expo is part of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s initiative for state’s agencies to do business with small businesses and is part of the Collaboration Conference series. At Metro Expo, certifications are offered for qualifying small business, women/minority owned business enterprises and disabled veterans business enterprises.

For exhibitor and attendee details, visit www.metrochamber.org/expo. Contact Lindsey Ono, lono@metrochamber.org or 916-319-4262 for more event details.

Schedule at a Glance
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Exhibitor Set Up
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Hours
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Workshops
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Networking Reception
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes; Tear Down Begins
* Schedule subject to change

Friday Metro Chamber event looks at regional transit; recognizes awardees

2010-03-17T18:51:13Z

The expert on the state's transit industry and financing, Joshua Shaw of Shaw/Yoder, Inc. will be the featured speaker at the State of RT Breakfast, Friday, March 19. Shaw is executive director of the California Transit Association.

Mike Wiley, RT General Manager/CEO, will also address the transit service priorities of the Sacramento region. This breakfast event will focus on TransitAction, RT’s new transit vision that will shape the future of transportation over the next 25 years.

The event, hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber and the Sacramento Regional Transit District, also includes the annual TransitAction awards, given to organizations and individuals promoting public transit.

2010 TransitAction Award Recipients

Business of the Year
The Alliance for Business and Community
The Alliance, representing the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce and Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, was selected for promoting transit as a beneficial business and economic opportunity for their collective memberships.

Organization/Agency of the Year
City of Sacramento
The City of Sacramento was selected for adopting its 2030 General Plan that endorses sustainable, mixed-use development, which encourages walking, biking and the use of public transit to create a "Healthy City" by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Transit Oriented Development of the Year
Historic Folsom Station
The Historic Folsom Station project was selected for its creative pedestrian and transit-friendly design, which blends the rich history of the Sacramento Valley Railroad from the Gold Rush era with a more contemporary mixed-use development served by light rail.

Individual/Transit Advocate of the Year
Mary Brill
Mary Brill is being recognized posthumously for her adamant, unyielding and admirable efforts to promote and enhance public transit, smart growth and mobility in the Sacramento region. Her dedication and commitment to advocate on behalf of many Sacramentans is an inspiration.

Elected Official of the Year
Sen. Darrell Steinberg
Sen. Darrell Steinberg was selected for his efforts to address the current public transit funding issues in the Legislature including landmark legislation to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions integrating smart land use, housing and transportation (SB 375) and a pilot transit passenger safety and exclusion act (SB 1561).

The event is set for 7:30-9:30 a.m., Friday, March 19, at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento, 1230 J St. Sacramento. For event information, contact Chantal LeFevre at 916-319-4260 or clefevre@metrochamber.org. Register online here.

A lot to talk about: Metro Chamber to hold State of City event Feb. 25

2010-02-18T17:24:56Z

Curious about the region’s newly proposed entertainment and sports facility and what else is happening in the city of Sacramento?

Members of the Sacramento First Citizen’s Task Force will review the proposed projects and the process for consideration at this year’s State of the City Address, hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber on Thursday, Feb. 25. And in the tradition of this 18th annual event, the Mayor of Sacramento will also speak. More than 700 business and civic leaders have already confirmed attendance at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento for the 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. luncheon. The event is presented by Drexel University and Umpqua Bank.

“If you want to get an insider’s scoop on the task force—you don’t want to miss this year’s State of the City Address,” said Matthew Mahood, Metro Chamber president & CEO. “This kind of facility has long been of interest to the chamber, and we have studied other cities’ entertainment and sports complexes during our annual Study Missions. With such a big decision looming for the region, business people should take the time to learn about the project and the beneficial economic impacts it will create.”

Assembled for discussion of the entertainment and sports facility are Sacramento First task force members former city of Sacramento treasurer/finance director Tom Friery, McClellan Business Park developer Larry Kelley and public relations expert and chair of the task force Christopher Lehane. Moderating the panel will be Drexel University Sacramento’s Dean Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III.

In addition, Mayor Kevin Johnson will review his first year in office and look at the opportunities and challenges facing the city of Sacramento in 2010.

Register online here. A sold-out crowd is expected, so early registration is encouraged. For event information, contact Lindsey Ono at 916-319-4262 or lono@metrochamber.org.

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Metro Chamber to honor region’s leading business people tonight at annual awards

2010-02-05T22:36:47Z

A thousand business people and civic leaders will gather at the Sacramento Metro Chamber's 115th Annual Dinner & Business Awards tonight at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. The event is sold out.

During the evening, 2010 Metro Chamber Board Chair Randy Sater of StoneBridge Properties will be inducted, and the Metro Chamber will recognize business leaders for their entrepreneurial and civic accomplishments.

SACRAMENTAN OF THE YEAR—David M. Higgins Sr., Retired President of Harbison-Mahony-Higgins Builders Inc.
AS THE FORMER CEO OF HARBISON-MAHONY-HIGGINS BUILDERS INC., MR HIGGINS IS A TRUE ICON IN OUR REGION’S COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS. HIS WORK – INCLUDING THE OUTSTANDING RESTORATION OF THE CATHEDRAL OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING THE QUALITY GROWTH OF SACRAMENTO. HE HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE’S WORK AND PHILANTHROPY TO OUR REGION.

BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR— Ron J. Mittelstaedt, Chairman & CEO of Waste Connections, Inc.
MR. MITTELSTAEDT HAS ESTABLISHED A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN THE SOLID WASTE INDUSTRY, WITH STEWARDSHIP OF THE COMPANY BASED UPON THE INTEGRITY TO “DO THE RIGHT THING, AT THE RIGHT TIME, FOR THE RIGHT REASON.” THE METRO CHAMBER APPLAUDS HIS BUSINESS ETHIC AS A MODEL FOR ALL COMPANIES IN THE REGION.

BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR—Jonna Ward, CEO of VIP – Visionary Integration Professionals
JONNA WARD FOUNDED ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING COMPANIES IN THE NATION FROM A SPARE BEDROOM, AND WHOSE CONTINUED SUCCESS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY AN ORGANIZATIONAL ETHIC THAT MOTIVATES EMPLOYEES TO “ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH CLIENT PARTNERS TO DELIVER THE BEST VALUE POSSIBLE.”

AL GEIGER MEMORIAL AWARD—Robert V. Tobin, MPA, President & CEO, Cottage Housing Inc.
HONORS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS UNIQUELY SERVED AS A ROLE MODEL FOR BUSINESS, REACHING OUT TO MINORITY OR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

COTTAGE HOUSING INC WAS FORMED IN 1994 BY A COALITION OF CIVIC LEADERS SEEKING INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO SHORT-TERM, CRISIS ORIENTED RESPONSE TO THE HOMELESS DILEMMA. LEADING THIS NONPROFIT THAT HAS BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR ITS FOCUS ON RESILIENCY IS ROBERT TOBIN–WHOSE PASSION FOR HIS WORK IS ONLY OUTDONE BY HIS FIRM GROUNDING IN THE PRINCIPLES THAT BUSINESS PEOPLE UPHOLD: SELF-RELIANCE, PERSONAL FREEDOM AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

PETER McCUEN AWARD FOR CIVIC ENTREPRENEURS—Rick Fowler, President & CEO, The Community College Foundation
ESTABLISHED IN 2000, THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES A BUSINESSPERSON WHO HAS BECOME EXTENSIVELY INVOLVED IN PROMOTING CIVIC AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND WHO BRINGS BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS TO THEIR PERSONAL INTERESTS AND COMMITMENTS.

FORMER AIR FORCE COMMAND PILOT, PENTAGON OFFICIAL AND SENIOR USAA CORPORATON EXECUTIVE, RICK FOWLER LEADS A NONPROFIT WITH A MISSION TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR FOSTER YOUTH, K-12 STUDENTS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR—Mulvaney’s B&L
THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENT HAS NOT ONLY SUCCEEDED AT BUILDING A FLOURISHING BUSINESS IN A VERY DIFFICULT CLIMATE, PATRICK MULVANEY REMAINS CONSTANTLY AWARE OF SUSTAINABILITY, PRIDING HIMSELF ON USING LOCALLY SOURCED MEATS AND PRODUCE IN HIS WORK–ALL WHILE GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND ENRICHING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
—Centennial Inductee: Lionakis
—Hall of Fame Inductees: Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard, Owen-Dunn Insurance Services, SAFE Credit Union and Western Contract

METRO CHAMBER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR—Martha Clark Lofgren, Partner, Brewer Lofgren LLP

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR —Steve Raymond, Advisor, 20/20 Financial Advisers

Poizner tells region’s business leaders his plan to make state a leader again

2010-01-27T22:24:43Z

Before a hundred-plus of the region’s business leaders, State Insurance Commissioner and GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner set down his 10-10-10 plan for putting California back into a leadership position. Poizner was a guest of the Sacramento Metro Chamber at its annual State Legislative Summit.

The annual State Legislative Summit brings the region’s business leaders to the State Capitol to advocate on issues that will build jobs and business prosperity. Issues run the gamut from the very specific—tax credits for angel investments in qualified small business stocks—to the general—fast track of regulatory changes to enhance competition with other states. View the complete list here.

Poizner, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, was elected four years ago as one of only two Republicans voted into statewide office. Since then he has cut the budget of the State Insurance Commission by 15 percent.

“I am definitely not a career politician,” Poizner told the audience. “I’ve been in the trenches like you making payroll.”

If elected, Poizner’s plan is to overhaul the tax and regulatory system to make California again “the innovation capital of the world.”

In describing his 10-10-10 plan, Poizner first said he would cut sales, personal and corporate taxes by 10 percent and capital gains tax by 50 percent.

“How can we afford tax cuts? We cannot afford not to,” he said, noting California has one of the highest sales and income tax and vehicle license fees in the country and residents are leaving because of high tax rates, drawn to places like Nevada where there’s no personal or corporate taxes.

Second, Poizner would cut government spending by 10 percent. This would not be an across the board cut, but one “done the right way.” He would get rid of nonperforming programs and increase funding in others, like he did for the Insurance Commission, where he increased spending on fraud investigators. “There are 400 departments that haven’t been overhauled or modernized,” he said.

Third, the candidate by the end of his first term would put $10 billion into a state rainy day account, with funds coming from savings from budget cuts and increased revenues as people and jobs return to the state.

After Poizner's speech, the group business leaders teamed up in a dozen-plus groups and headed to the State Capitol to hold meetings with state legislators and their staffs.

“This is the beginning of the Metro Chamber’s advocacy efforts, not the end,” said summit event chair Martha Lofgren of Brewer Lofgren law firm.

Lofgren said the Metro Chamber will have a key theme this year of building sustainable growth, programs and products for the region, as set by 2010 Metro Chamber Board Chair Randy Sater, who will be inaugurated on Feb. 5 at the Metro Chamber's 115th Annual Dinner & Business Awards.

Next up in the Metro Chamber’s work to represent the interests of business to government, is the annual Capitol-to-Capitol event in Washington, D.C., set for April 17-21. Nearly 300 delegates are expected to participate, making the event the largest of its kind in the nation.

Sacramento Metro Chamber to talk job recovery issues with legislators

2010-01-21T00:06:08Z

Having set dozens of appointments with state assembly members and senators, the Sacramento Metro Chamber calls for the region’s business and civic leaders to join up for the annual State Legislative Summit, Wednesday, Jan. 27, as the Metro Chamber will lead a regional advocacy effort focused on increasing jobs in the region by advocating for policies that will help employers and workforce expand in the coming years.

“All business—every sector and every size—needs access to our State House,” said Matthew Mahood, president & CEO. “We encourage business to take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity. The Metro Chamber is advocating for critical issues important to jobs and business in our region, and we need business people with a reputation for getting things done to join us at the State Legislative Summit.”

If you are concerned about jobs and business growth, if you are concerned about the rising costs of businesses, unsure how adopting clean energy technology solutions will change your business, if Broadband innovation seems like it will assist your business growth—then you should join the Metro Chamber volunteers as they step into the legislators’ offices and get down to business on these and other important matters, Mahood said.

The following issues were brought forward by a volunteer committee and have been determined to be the focus during the day, which begins with a lunchtime address by state Insurance Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner. An issues orientation precedes the advocacy appointments. The day ends with a reception with legislators at the Elks Tower Ballroom.

2010 Sacramento Metro Chamber State Legislative Summit Issues

• CALIFORNIA STATE BUDGET
• JOBS AND BUSINESS GROWTH
• TRANSPORTATION
• FLOOD PROTECTION
• WATER/DELTA
• CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
• TELECOMMUNICATIONS
• BROADBAND INNOVATION
• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
• SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES
• LAND USE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
• ENERGY
• AIR QUALITY

For more information or to register, visit the State Legislative Summit page or contact Chantal LeFevre at 916-319-4260 or clefevre@metrochamber.org.

Metro Chamber: Arena report confirms economic benefits of a new facility

2010-01-07T18:22:40Z

An initial economic analysis of building a new entertainment and sports complex in Sacramento confirms the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s long-standing belief: A properly located arena will create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic benefits for the entire region.

“The Metro Chamber has long-held that a new entertainment and sports facility will be a huge job generator for our region,” said Matt Mahood, Metro Chamber president & CEO. “The Sacramento First Task Force’s “Threshold” report shows how—at a time when unemployment is so high—building and running the complex will create 4,095 new jobs. I say let’s get it started!” The report was released Jan. 7.

Residents in similar sized cities across the county currently enjoy the benefits of successful entertainment and sports complexes, Mahood said. “Our study missions to Charlotte, Indianapolis and Denver found arenas can be located where they serve as catalytic economic development projects. They create not only thousands of jobs, but millions of dollars in economic benefits. And over time, additional investment and positive economic impact follows.”

“Closer to home, you only have to go as far as San Jose to see how the HP Pavilion, that opened 15years ago, was constructed on a site specifically selected to help boost the downtown area,” Mahood added. “The report shows that HP Pavilion annually provides the city of San Jose with direct fiscal benefits of $5.4 million and about 5,000 full-time equivalent jobs.” Mahood encourages the Sacramento First Task Force and others to visit San Jose to see for themselves how that area—a once blighted, neglected neighborhood—is now hustling and bustling each and every day.

“Sacramentans deserve and need an entertainment and sports complex. This kind of civic amenity also offers many unquantifiable benefits that contribute to and stimulate regional economic vitality. It will make our region an attractive business center, increase property values and generate money through tourism. What’s not to like about that?”

Mahood concluded, saying, “I think the report’s findings are significant and that it should make Sacramento residents more comfortable with supporting the construction of a new facility.”

Photo: San Jose's HP Pavilion cost $162.5 million ($132.5 million funded by the City of San Jose; $30 million funded by HP Pavilion at San Jose Management). The completion of the building was an important milestone in San Jose's emergence as a destination city.

Metro Chamber urges new arena task force to be creative and courageous

2009-12-18T18:29:57Z

As promoting the region is high on the Metro Chamber's agenda, President & CEO Matt Mahood called for creativity and courage in planning for a new regional entertainment and sports facility that would be a world-class venue.

"I honestly believe that if the right people get to the table, use best practices that have worked in other regions, and are creative and courageous, then there is no reason a deal can’t get done," Mahood said. "This is a critical issue to the business community in the Sacramento region."

Since November 2000, the Metro Chamber has engaged dialogue on a new arena for the region. Among the points the chamber considers vital:

• A modern sports and entrainment facility is a key piece of the region’s economic and civic infrastructure (just like a convention center or community theater).

• Sacramento needs the ability to host world-class entertainment and sporting events--as it brings new outside money into the local economy. Thus creating jobs.

• Having a major league franchise like the Sacramento Kings is a catalyst for raising the awareness and civic pride of Sacramento region, which enhances our brand as a great place to live, work and raise a family--especially in front of nationally televised audience.

• A significant competitive advantage is lost by not having a world-class facility.

In 2004, the Metro Chamber convened business and civic leaders who formed an Arena Task Force. The group found that:

• ARCO is quickly becoming obsolete and needs to be replaced

• A sports and entertainment facility is a civic amenity--and the public has a role in its financing, but to what degree is always debatable.

• We should take this opportunity to not just build an arena but to create a place for people to gather…one that fosters a greater sense of community pride.

• The current Arco Arena was rapidly approaching the end of its useful life and that the Sacramento region will need a new sports and entertainment center in approximately five years. (That was five years ago.)

• Public participation in the financing for the development and construction of a new sports and entertainment center is appropriate. However, in 2006, the voters did not approve Measures Q & R, indicating no interest in a large public subsidy.

• A broader, regional dialogue among potential participants in any financing plan (from both the public and private sector) would facilitate the necessary discussion about the most feasible and appropriate sources of both public and private financing for such a project. In other words, we should try to develop a regional solution, if possible.

The chamber's arena task force recommended that the following factors be considered when determining the correct site:

• The site should be a catalyst for complementary development or redevelopment.

• The site should promote city and regional goals of smart growth, transit orientation and urban revitalization.

• It should be accessible by multiple forms of transportation, including walking, mass transit and light rail while still convenient to major thoroughfares by automobile.

• It should create a long-term synergistic entertainment benefit and have the maximum ability to draw attendance from the broader region.

• It must be financially feasible and minimize the potential risk of construction cost overruns and further delays.

"Previous efforts over the course of the last nine years have failed," Mahood said. "We need to learn from those mistakes."

Moreover, Mahood urged members of the new task force not to worry about criticism likely to occur--no matter what they decided."

"From our experience traveling to other cities (Denver, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, Charlotte, San Diego, Phoenix, San Jose), Mahood said, these deals require a public/private partnership--and strong courageous leadership to see the deal through. Be courageous!"

Sacramento Metro Chamber assists Salvation Army to solve toy shortage problem

2009-12-16T00:18:18Z

Facing a dramatic toy shortage,The Salvation Army of Sacramento has announced a partnership with the Sacramento Metro Chamber for an eleventh-hour push to receive new, unwrapped toys this week. The Metro Chamber reached out to many of its members to help donate to the Salvation Army Toy Drive or to host a donation bin at their business location. A couple of member businesses responded in a big way: Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

Bank of America has agreed to participate as a toy drop-off site in eight bank locations throughout the Sacramento region, through Friday, Dec. 18. Further, Wells Fargo Northern California Foundation is making a donation of $5,000 to The Salvation Army to help supplement the cost for any purchase of toys this Christmas.

Currently, only 9,000 toys have been collected, which is far short of The Salvation Army's goal of 18,000.

"This is a major uphill battle that we are facing," said David Bentley, Salvation Army Sacramento County coordinator. "It's not a pretty picture. The Salvation Army is simply facing a situation where there are not enough toys for all of the families we have committed to assist this Christmas. We appreciate what the Sacramento Metro Chamber and its members, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, have done to help us meet our goals this Christmas."

More than 5,000 families from Sacramento County have applied and have qualified to receive assistance this Christmas from The Salvation Army.

All of the toys will need to be collected before this weekend, because The Salvation Army intends to use every one of the donated toys for the Dec. 19 Christmas Distribution at Cal Expo. For more information, contact Syd Fong at 916-563-3731.

Recently Added Bank of America Locations for Salvation Army Toy drop-off locations:

Arden-Morse: 3101 Arden Way, Sacramento
Cordova Village: 10607 Folsom Blvd, Rancho Cordova
Folsom: 403 East Bidwell St., Folsom
North Natomas: 2861 Del Paso Road, Sacramento
Sunrise Center: 7850 Kingswood Drive, Citrus Heights
Elk Grove: 8959 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove
Roseville: Creekside Banking Center, 1188 Galleria Blvd., Roseville
Capitol Mall: Sacramento Main, 555 Capitol Mall, Sacramento

Photo: Metro Chamber staff members recently helped bag up toys for more than 700 families for the Salvation Army Toy Drive.

West Sacramento Business Walk: Entrepreneurs find opportunity, good locale

2009-12-01T19:29:18Z

   A chilly morning brought out three dozen civic-minded business people Tuesday, Dec. 1, to West Sacramento for the annual Business Walk to gauge local business conditions, and early visits are finding folks upbeat and generally pleased with doing business in the city.
   “West Sacramento is getting better,” said Discount Cigarette store owner Suni Malhi. “It’s way better than the last five years. There’s more police patrols.”
   Malhi was visited by the Business Walk team of Juliet Romanishin of NorCal Wealth Management & Insurance Services, and Andy Wallace of Wallace Kuhl & Associates, who asked the three big questions of the day: How’s business, what do you like about doing business in West Sacramento and what can be done to improve conditions.
   The Business Walks are part of a regional “best practices” strategy for business retention and expansion, according to Michael Faust, senior vice president for public policy and advocacy at the Sacramento Metro Chamber, one of the hosts of Business Walk, along with the West Sacramento Chamber and the city of West Sacramento. Over the last two years, the strategy called Metro Pulse, has logged visitations of more than 2,100 businesses.
   The Business Walks help initiate contacts with businesses in the region and is the start of “an ongoing conversation” to help get businesses the resources they need to succeed, Faust added.
   Malhi, who had previously managed the store, purchased the business last year. He likes the location on West Capitol Avenue because of the surrounding industrial businesses, which provide a good customer base. He does report business “a little bit slower” than last year, as some people who used to buy in bulk are now just purchasing single packs of cigarettes. But he’s riding out the storm, happy with the “friendly people” of West Sacramento and improving conditions in the city.
   Next door, Koren Foxx of Labor Ready, a temporary employment agency, said though winter time is a bit slower, she still placed 20 clients that morning in jobs.
   Labor Ready provides temporary employees to businesses in Sacramento and Yolo counties. Placements currently include in hotels, retail, housekeeping—and surprisingly—construction. Foxx (center in photo) regularly gets calls from contractors who are building nearby hotels.
   “We don’t believe in a bad economy,” Foxx said. “There is always somebody doing business. We remain positive.”
   One truly upbeat crew is at the newly opened The Sandwich Spot restaurant, 3021 West Capitol Ave., in the Country West Shopping Center. It’s located in the former Mr. Pickles location and is one of six cafes part of a new franchise launched by founder Tom Heally. Other locations are San Francisco and Santa Monica.
   The Sandwich Spot is co-owned by Aaron Ellis. “We just opened three weeks ago,” he said. “And we already got repeat customers!”
   Ellis and Heally were most excited about their newest feature to debut on Wednesdays: barbecue tri-tip sandwiches, with the barbecue happening right in front of the shop.
   They see the down economy as a plus, since lease rates are less and this allows them to get established. “It’s a good opportunity,” Heally said.
   The West Sacramento Business Walk was also sponsored by Hampton Inn & Suites and Ramda Plaza Harbor Conference Center. A report on findings and results of the West Sacramento Business Walk will be made available after it’s compiled. Previous Business Walk reports are available online here.

Metro Chamber applaudes arena task force make-up

2009-11-20T18:07:23Z

With announcement of Sacramento First Entertainment and Sports Complex Task Force, Nov. 19, by Mayor Kevin Johson, the Sacramento Metro Chamber issued this statement by President & CEO Matthew Mahood:

We are pleased that Mayor Johnson is taking a strong leadership role in solving this ongoing regional issue on how to finance and construct an entertainment and sports complex. We hope the task force can find a viable solution to building a world-class facility here that will attract quality entertainment for our residents.

The issue is complex and needs focused attention. We applaud the combination of task force members who have subject-matter expertise and civic interest in finding a solution.

In the past, the Metro Chamber, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau have studied the matter diligently. Our own 2004 Arena Task Force’s findings still hold true:

The current ARCO Arena is obsolete and needs to be replaced.
A regional dialogue should be employed to determine the most feasible and appropriate sources of both public and private financing for such a project.
Location of the facility in The Railyards is appropriate. But any location chosen should create a catalyst for complementary development or redevelopment.
The site should have the ability to promote city and regional development goals of smart growth, transit orientation and urban revitalization.

The Metro Chamber looks forward to working with Mayor Johnson and the Task Force as needed in order to help move this complex issue to a successful conclusion.

State of the Airports event today: Sacramento as bolder crossroads for commerce

2009-11-12T17:07:40Z

Transportation experts will gather today, Nov. 12, at Sacramento International Airport to review trends and specific projects that can make the Sacramento region a new international crossroads for goods movement to the Pacific Rim while providing new job and business opportunities for our region.

An update on The Big Build expansion project at Sacramento International Airport will show how Sacramento will be well positioned to serve both passengers and goods needed for the projected increase of 14 million in the state’s population by 2035. The event is hosted by the Northern California World Trade Center, an affiliate of the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

“If we think big and act boldly, the Sacramento region can become a goods movement hot spot for the West Coast and over time become a gateway to the Pacific Rim and beyond,” said Northern California World Trade Center President & CEO Michael Faust. “We have the airports, and we are growing the water port capacity, highways and railroads that make us a true crossroads for commerce. As other regions like the Bay Area reach their people-moving capacity, their goods movement capacity will be adversely affected. If we think big, act strategically and pursue bold projects, we will become a goods movement leader on the West Coast.”

Speakers include: Aviation Economist Fred Davis, Sabre Solutions, who will provide a forecast on the aviation industry, and Director Hardy Acree, Sacramento County Airport System, who will provide an update on The Big Build.

A Region Goods Movement Overview Panel will be moderated by Dan Throgmorton, associate vice chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development, Los Rios Community College District.

The panelists are Fred Davis, Sabre Solutions; Hardy Acree, Sacramento County Airport System; Mike Luken, Port of West Sacramento; and Rob Leonard, assistant county executive for economic development, Sacramento County.

The event will be held 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., today, at the SACjet Hangar, Sacramento International Airport. Contact 916-519-1218 for more event information.

Metro Chamber: Nestle plant followed rules--Council must let business go forward

2009-10-27T19:26:39Z

By Linda Cutler, Chair, Sacramento Metro Chamber Board of Directors

The discussion about the new Nestle Waters bottling facility is actually about Sacramento’s commitment to job creation and the process and rules by which businesses come to our city.

The Sacramento City Council will consider, Tuesday, Oct. 27, a measure related to this plant that will have a serious and far-reaching impact on the jobs and business climate in Sacramento.

We have a set of rules that govern how companies coming to our community must conduct business. These rules come in the form of zoning, building permits, utility fees, water use and the like. These are rules that are determined through a very open and public process and they are rules that every business must follow.

The city also has a plan that includes taking into account water needs for residential, government and industrial uses. Nearly every business, whether it is a bottled beverage company, a car wash, a restaurant or a widget manufacturer, uses water to produce its product or service. That plan includes water availability for new businesses to purchase without impacting the water already flowing to other businesses and homes.

So how does Nestle Waters’ new plant fit into this? First, the company followed all the rules, and it did not get any special treatment with respect to the rates it will pay the city for water. Nestle leased existing space from a local property owner and applied to the city for the permits and utilities needed. In short, the company has followed the process just as the many other beverage bottlers such as 7-up and Coca Cola did when they came here.

Now, some members of the Sacramento City Council are working to change those rules mid-stream by tossing aside the council’s entire review process in an effort to force a new law that would either delay or completely stop this plant from moving forward. That should be a frightening proposition to anyone interested in job creation and business development in our community. The signal it would send to other businesses is: Come to Sacramento at your own risk. The city council, at the prompting of special interests, may decide it does not want your business here even after you have leased a building, put millions into retrofitting it and begun to hire people.

And, this decision could have a major impact on the availability of capital for new projects. Why would a bank lend money to a business when the political winds could derail the project mid-way through construction?

Nestle has received more than 2,200 job applications in just in just two months. The company has already hired 11 people and has a local contractor and his crew working to retrofit the building it leased. And Nestle has invested more than $3 million into this facility already, with another $11 million to follow.

So if the city council takes action to stop this plant from moving forward, council members will have to explain not only to those 11 people and the contractor why they will be laid off, but also explain to the other 2,200 people who are looking for work why they are closing off an opportunity to bring jobs to this community.

By making the process of opening a business a political one, the city council is saying that it will pick and choose businesses and jobs depending on its political whims. This is a precedent our community simply cannot afford to set unless the council is ready to take responsibility for hanging that closed sign on the Tower Bridge.

It’s Business Walk Day in Rancho Cordova: Metro Chamber, others finding out how’s business

2009-10-22T18:18:24Z

Nearly three dozen business people, chamber and city officials are on the streets of Rancho Cordova today, Thursday, Oct. 22, finding out how business is doing and collecting comments on how things can be improved.

The Rancho Cordova Business Walk is part of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s year-long series in partnership with local chambers and cities and counties to improve the local economy. Business Walk participants ask three basic questions: How’s business, what do you like about doing business here and how can things be improved.

Says Rancho Cordova Chamber Chair Brandon Ivie: “The Business Walk lets the local business community know we care.”

This is the second Rancho Cordova Business Walk. The first was held last year, and a report of its findings is available online here.

The annual Business Walk series is part of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Metro Pulse economic development program to retain and build businesses in the region.

“Metro Pulse is a strategy to stretch economic development dollars and have greater impact,” said Matt Yancey, director of economic development for the Metro Chamber, which manages the program for 15 regional partners.

The Rancho Cordova Business Walk is a partnership of the city of Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cordova Chamber and the Metro Chamber, with sponsors Volt Information Services and Hotel Sierra. The walk was underwritten by a grant from SETA Sacramento Works, Inc. After findings are tabulated, a report on the Rancho Cordova Business Walk will be available online here.

One business visited, the UPS Store on Olson Drive, reported a year that was a “rollercoaster,” beginning slow but now picking up.

Co-owner Tom Nguyen said his business is influenced by the pace of retail sales. “If Macy’s is not doing well—if they don’t buy it—they’re not going to ship it.”

He sees the economy having “bottomed out.”

As to the location of the store, Nguyen said it is very strategic, with a good mixture of business and residences and people.

Rancho Cordova Economic Development Director Curt Haven said to participants that he was amazed at the level of satisfaction of business owners and managers.

“It’s not all doom and gloom in Rancho Cordova,” Haven said. “When you talk to business owners, they are satisfied. They know they have to correct for the downturn and are now turning to planning for the future.”

Businesses visited are also able to report to city officials like Haven situations that impede doing business—such as traffic and security issues. With this direct kind of input, problems can be solved quickly.

As UPS store co-owner Tom Nguyen said, “Thanks for asking—this is way refreshing!”

Arden Arcade Business Walk surveying district businesses today

2009-09-25T18:47:05Z

How’s business? What can be done to make it better?

With those questions, more than two dozen business people and Sacramento County staffers are visiting businesses Friday in the Arden Arcade district for the annual Business Walk to find out what kind of assistance can be brought to help improve the business environment.

It’s expected that more than 100 shops, offices and stores will be visited today along eight commercial corridors—including Watt Avenue, Fulton Avenue, Auburn Boulevard and Hurley Way, among others.

Business Walks help county officials make improvements in services to the districts, according to Howard Schmidt, chief of staff for Supervisor Susan Peters, District 5, where today’s event was taking place.

“Past business walks help us channel resources for things like law enforcement,” Schmidt told the participants before they hit the streets. The Sheriff’s Grinch Program to patrol the shopping malls during the holiday season is one example of the outcome of visiting businesses to find out what can be done by the county to improve the district. Last year’s holiday patrol of the malls netted more than 100 bad guys, he said.

Previous Business Walks (reports are available online) also helped the county craft flexible zoning regulations for business, curb aggressive panhandling and improve street pavement conditions.

And how is business doing right now?

Early reports from the teams show that many small businesses, such as computer firms, medical offices, real estate firms, are doing well.

Cary Warner of Aperio—an information technology administrator—said his business is doing well, improving through the use of marketing via social media outlets like Facebook.

He attends the Arden Arcade Business Council’s monthly mixers because they help him connect with people he finds via Facebook and social media. “That’s the small business pie I’m after,” he said. “The mixers are a great connector to see the people from online.”

Atlas Properities’ Elias Zumout, the onsite manger of the 2020 Hurley Ave. building, said he sees “business going up slowly.” After losing seven mortgage company businesses, he has 65% occupancy. He just signed a 3-year lease for new company moving into two suites.

To help business improve, he has dropped lease rates and is making improvements in the building. “You have to spend money to make money.” But he sees things turning around.

Zumout said the Arden Arcade district is “a very good area”—and, as a basketball fan—is hoping the Sacramento Kings will move into the CalExpo arena. “It will be fantastic for everybody.”

The Business Walk is a partnership of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Arden Arcade Business Council, the Fulton Avenue Association and Sacramento County. It is sponsored by Volt Information Services, the Fulton Avenue Association and Hampton Inn & Suites, with support from SETA/Sacramento Works.

Upcoming Business Walks are set for Rancho Cordova (Oct. 22), Power Inn (Oct. 29) and West Sacramento (Nov. 20). For more information, contact Matt Yancey at 916-321-9153.

Sacramento Metro Chamber to host Congressional Representatives Lungren, McClintock: Business, civic leaders invited to annual California Leadership Forum

2009-09-22T23:51:35Z

Business and civic leaders are invited to join the Sacramento Metro Chamber when it hosts Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Third District, and Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Fourth District, on Monday, Sept. 28, at Le Rivage Hotel, Sacramento.

“The Metro Chamber is pleased once again to provide one of the few forums where businesspeople can meet their elected officials for an open discussion on current issues affecting the region and the nation,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO.

The breakfast will be held 8-10 a.m. at Le Rivage Hotel, 4350 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, 95822. Register by noon Friday at http://www.metrochamber.org/events. For event information, contact Lindsay Ono at 916-319-4262 or lono@metrochamber.org.

Searching for new strategies: Region's business leaders on International Study & Trade Mission to Vancouver, B.C.

2009-08-20T19:09:20Z

Business and civic leaders are in Vancouver, B.C. through Friday, Aug. 22, to study successful strategies for eco-commercialism and regional sustainability. They are part of the Sacramento Metro Chamber's annual Study Mission. Previous cities visited include Portland, Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Austin and San Antonio, and San Diego.

Thirty participants are taking four days to interview experts on how Vancouver has become an international gateway to the Pacific-Asian market. The Vancouver region has also developed strategies for converting new ideas into business start-ups and jobs. Randy Sater, the 2010 chair of the Metro Chamber Board kicked off the Study Mission yesterday (photo).

Other study topics include:

International Trade & Commerce
Tourism Surrounding 2010 Winter Olympics
Film as a World-Class Niche Industry Cluster
High Quality of Life

How Sacramento can use its combined assets to grow business and jobs in the region will be recommended by Study Mission participants. A report will be published in the Metro Business Quarterly, released in October. More information on Metro Chamber Study Missions is at sacramentocacoc.weblinkconnect.com/cwt/external/publicpolicy/study_mission.aspx.

New Sacramento Metro Chamber Member Discount Program: Receive 10% off tuition for Drexel Graduate Studies programs

2009-07-30T22:30:21Z

Reflecting a commitment to develop the region’s workforce, the Sacramento Metro Chamber is partnering with Drexel University to offer 10 percent reduction in tuition on ALL of Drexel’s graduate studies programs.

Metro Chamber members can save between $3,000 and $4,800 over the course of their selected degree program at the Drexel University Center for Graduate Studies.

“Investing in yourself—especially during a recession—can be a smart move for many employees,” said Matt Mahood, Metro Chamber president & CEO. “You can make yourself more valuable to your employer or future employers by increasing your skills.”

Drexel University’s state-of-the-art facility in Sacramento offers graduate degrees in business administration, education leadership, public health, engineering management, high education, human resources, instruction, library science and nursing education and leadership, among others.

The university—based in Pennsylvania—founded a campus at One Capitol Mall in Sacramento in 2008 with the assistance of the Metro Chamber. It is among the nation’s most innovative universities, according to U.S.News & World Report, requiring students to learn technology and to work with other Drexel students three time zones away.

“We believe our approach to higher education will position our students for success, and support the Sacramento region’s high-tech future,” said Carl (Tobey) Oxholm II, dean of the center.

For questions about the Metro Chamber discount contact Nancy Thompson at Drexel University, 916-325-4602.

Sacramento region gears up for ‘marine highway’ system: Cargo to be shipped by barge between Port of Oakland and Port of West Sacramento

2009-06-26T18:03:07Z

Very soon, you will see barges loaded with containerized cargo sailing into the Port of West Sacramento. This movement of goods is called the “marine highway” and it will help bring hundreds of new jobs to the region while improving air quality and reducing highway congestion by taking more than 1 million truck trips off area roads.

More than 100 business and civic leaders heard details of the “marine highway” outlined during the Northern California World Trade Center’s annual State of the Sea Ports event, held June 25 in West Sacramento.

The company expecting to begin shipping containerized cargo from the Port of Oakland to West Sacramento and Stockton is Denver-based The Broe Group and San Francisco-based Eco-Transport. Company vice president Alex Yeros said he hopes operations will start this year.

The “marine highway” concept offers many positive contributions to the region’s economy, Yeros said, including creating new family wages jobs in the San Joaquin Valley, reducing harmful air emissions, improving traffic congestion and safety and reducing wear and tear on highways and infrastructure.

“The operational concepts are in place, and there’s enough shippers support to begin an entry level service,” Yeros said.

Currently, more than 25 percent of the Port of Oakland’s import and export freight travels to and from the Valley over the road, so the marine highway is an environmentally sustainable alternative, he said, citing figures that show one container barge equals two stack trains or 350 container trucks.

The marine highway also offers advantages of reducing harmful air emissions—more than 660 tons per day—and reliance on foreign oil as one gallon of fuel can move one ton of cargo 60 miles by truck, 426 miles by train but 500 miles by ship.

Michael Faust, president & CEO of the Northern California World Trade Center, calls the marine highway development potentially a huge economic engine for the Central Valley and our community.

“This will help make Sacramento, Yolo County and the Port of West Sacramento a gateway to Asia,” Faust said. “It will create hundreds—if not thousands of new jobs over time—and also help our agriculture and manufacturing industries stay competitive as shipping costs can be reduced.”

Other positive business developments at the Port of West Sacramento were outlined by Port Director Mike Luken:

• Rice shippers ADM and Farmers Rice exported nearly 360,000 metric tons in 2008-09 to Japan, Korea, Papua New Guinea, in bagged rice. Connell Rice & Sugar sent 20,000 tons of bulk milled rice to Puerto Rico. Increased rice export is helping the port during the recession.

• The Port of West Sacramento is positioned and equipped to help clean energy technology advance at several of the region’s windfarms: 75 complete windmill units and related project cargo arrived in the port June through October 2008 for Solano County.

• Germany-based Enligna is completing one of the world’s most modern commercial wood pellet facilities at the Port of West Sacramento. The project will have a “zero carbon footprint” and create wood pellets from forest wood slash, orchard waste from Valley farms and wood waste from construction projects. The wood pellets are designed to replace coal in coal-fired power plants throughout the Pacific Rim. Exports are expected to be in excess of 235,000 metric tons a year.

• West Coast Recycling is building a plant to shred crushed automobiles, planning on shipping 200,000 metric tons a year.

• Deepening of the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel 35 miles from West Sacramento to Collinsville will begin thanks in part to the Metro Chamber’s Cap-to-Cap efforts that have secured $10 million in federal funds for the $80 million total project cost.

Top U.S. government international trade officials to speak at May 19 Consular Corps Luncheon

2009-05-07T21:22:50Z

The Northern California World Trade Center will host three of the nation’s top international trade experts—Acting Assistant Secretary for International Trade Administration Stephen P. Jacobs, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Michael Michener and U.S. International Trade Commission Vice Chairman Daniel R. Pearson—when they speak at the annual Consular Corps Luncheon, May 19, at UC Davis Freeborn Hall.

The World Trade Center will bring together nearly 50 trade consuls representing dozens of foreign governments and a variety of international business people from throughout the region and throughout California to attend this annual event.

“If you are a business person wanting hear from those people who are the decision-makers for international trade in this country and connect with a trade representative from another country—the Consular Corps Luncheon will offer you an unparalleled opportunity,” said Michael Faust, president & CEO of the Northern California World Trade Center. “Our lineup of high caliber speakers provide hard-to-come-by, up-to-the minute details on the current international trade policy and the international trade economy. For international networking and business acumen—this is one event you must attend.”

Set on the UC Davis campus, the event also recognizes the university’s centennial anniversary and service as an international beacon for cutting-edge research in the region, the country and around the globe. A tour of the UC Davis campus with Centennial Director and Assistant Vice Chancellor Bob Segar will be offered at the conclusion of the luncheon program.

“If I was only able to attend one event this year to understand, engage and hear from the top U.S. officials affecting the entire spectrum of international trade, I would have to say that this lineup of speakers and the diverse number of consular representative makes this THE unique event I would have to attend,” said Mike Luken, manager of the Port of West Sacramento and chair of the World Trade Center.

The event’s premiere speakers are not often in our region, but they are incredible contacts for any business involved in international trade:

Acting Assistant Secretary for International Trade Administration—Stephen P. Jacobs: Jacobs, a UC Davis graduate, will highlight the actions of the administration’s mission of strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, of promoting trade and investment and of ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. The International Trade Administration creates opportunities for U.S. workers and firms by promoting international trade opportunities and by fostering a level playing field for American business. He will also be presenting one local company the prestigious President’s Award for Export Excellence

USDA foreign Agricultural Service Administrator—Michael Michener: The Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is incredibly important to the greater Sacramento region as it works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. The Foreign Agricultural Service has the primary responsibility for USDA’s international activities—market development, trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection and analysis of statistics and market information. It also administers USDA’s export credit guarantee and food aid programs, and helps increase income and food availability in developing nations by mobilizing expertise for agriculturally led economic growth. The Foreign Agricultural Service also enhances U.S. agriculture’s competitiveness by providing linkages to global resources and international organizations.

U.S. International Trade Commission Vice Chairman—Daniel R. Pearson: Pearson will discuss importing and exporting with the United States from the perspective of his globally influential position. The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent federal agency determining import injury to U.S. industries in antidumping, countervailing duty and global safeguard investigations; directing actions against unfair trade practices involving patent, trademark and copyright infringement; supporting policymakers through economic analysis and research on the global competitiveness of U.S. industries; and maintaining the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Tickets for the 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. luncheon are $65 for World Trade Center and Metro Chamber members and $85 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.metrochamber.org/events or contact Lindsey Ono at 916-319-4262. The UC Davis campus tour will begin at 1:45 p.m. and last about an hour; register onsite at the event.

Metro Chamber Supports May 19 Ballot Propositions

2009-04-06T23:48:47Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber is encouraging its 2,200 business members and the general community to support Propositions 1A through 1F on the May 19 special election ballot.

“Propositions 1A-F provide short-term solutions to get us through these difficult economic times and long-term solutions to avert these types of deficits for the state again,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO.

Mahood said it is vital that all of the propositions succeed together because continuation of the state’s budget crisis will have dire consequences for the state and many member businesses. “Failure could likely mean that the state legislature attempts to balance the recently enlarged budget deficit with dramatically increased taxes and fees on business—thus negatively impacting our state’s economy,” Mahood said.

“Our state’s economic future is at risk. By passing these ballot measures, the state’s citizens and businesses will make quicker progress out of this recession,” Mahood said. “Voting yes on these propositions will help improve our state finances—continuing to allow vitally needed federal stimulus funds to flow to the state for the thousands of infrastructure and other federally-funded projects that are dependent on the state matching federal funds.”

“The Metro Chamber recognizes the propositions are not perfect,” Mahood added, “but they do help resolve the budget crisis and position us for the future where we will be less likely to face some of these same issues. We simply cannot afford the budget crisis to continue and encourage everyone to vote YES on Proposition 1A through 1F.”

For more information, visit www.metrochamber.org.