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A Weekly Newsletter Promoting Monterey County: Open for Business
Business Council Members identified as (BCM)
Friday, Dec. 11, 2015
Edition 624
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Take our Global Readiness Survey to help shape future initiatives
The Monterey County Business Council, in collaboration with Custom Language Services at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, is conducting a Global Readiness Survey to glean knowledge about the global readiness of businesses in our county.
Identifying the needs of Monterey County businesses in regards to global readiness in order to develop strategies that will align with furthering their personal and professional goals and improve the region's business climate.
All results of this survey will be kept confidential, providing an aggregated overview of the county's global readiness and helping to shape future MCBC global initiatives.
Custom Language Services, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies’ executive education program in Monterey, designs and delivers language and intercultural communication training to professionals across multiple industries and sectors.
MCBC trademarked the "Language Capital of the World" slogan, which local companies and institutions of higher education have been using to enhance international recognition of our region and its language capabilities for economic development.
Take a moment to complete the survey, and feel free to forward it to other Monterey County businesses. The survey deadline is at the close of business on Monday, Dec. 14th.
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Monterey named nation's top military town
So, we all pretty much knew this.
But just in case we needed confirmation, Monterey has just been named the top military town in the United States.
The list of the country's Top 10 military towns was published this week by Thrillist, an online publication specializing in food, drink and travel.
The towns on its list, writes Thrillist, "are bustling locales with good food, a vibrant nightlife, and insane views of America's most stunning landscapes. Servicemen and women (and their families) dream of getting stationed there."
The survey was conducted on current and former military personnel from all branches of the service, based on the following criteria: stuff to do, on-base amenities, sense of community, and the town’s reputation within the military community.
Rounding out the Top 5: Anchorage, AK (5), Charleston, SC (4), Colorado Springs, CO (3), San Diego (2), and Monterey (1).
Monterey, home to both the Naval Postgraduate School and Defense Language Institute, is celebrated for its dining, nightlife and shopping, its sense of community, easy access to other great spots, plus, Clint Eastwood and great golf.
Read the full story online.
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Airport completes runway project
Monterey Regional Airport (BCM) General Manager Mike La Pier has announced completion of the airport's federally mandated Runway Safety Area Improvements Project. The Instrument Landing System was returned to service on Thursday when the new procedures were published and available.
The project, completed ahead of schedule and within budget, involved the installation of an arresting system called Engineered Materials Arrestor System, or EMAS at both ends of the main runway. Federal Aviation Administration regulation required all commercial-use airports in the country meet new runway safety standards by Dec. 31, 2015.
Source: Salinas Californian
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Come celebrate at MCBC's 21st Anniversary Gala & Economic Vitality Awards on Feb. 6
Join the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) for our 21st Anniversary Gala & Annual Economic Vitality Awards. This year's event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey.
The event kicks off with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. Dress is black tie optional.
The Monterey County Business Council, founded in 1995, remains the only countywide organization focused on business advocacy, economic development and workforce readiness.
This year’s gala will honor the individuals and organizations who have contributed to the economic vitality, growth and preservation of our community through various industries, including Agriculture, Arts / Creative & Technology, Building & Design, Education & Research, Health & Wellness, and Tourism & Hospitality. Winners will be announced in the coming weeks.
We hope you will join us for this very special evening.
Please consider supporting the MCBC and this year’s honorees by sponsoring this event at one of the following levels:
- Presenting Sponsor: $5,000: Recognition as Presenting Sponsor in event program, including name, logo and business description (up to 50 words); Recognition at event; Ten (10) tickets and preferred seating; Company brand/logo and link on website; Recognition in Friday Facts; Recognition in all marketing publications; and Email blast of your company’s marketing promo to all members.
- Executive Sponsor: $3,500: Listing on event program; Recognition at event; Ten (10) tickets and preferred seating; Company brand/logo on website; & Recognition in Friday Facts.
- Supporting Table Sponsor: $2,500: Ten (10) tickets; Listing on event program; & Recognition at event.
MCBC thanks its executive sponsors, California American Water (BCM) and PG&E (BCM) for their generous support. We would also like to extend our gratitude to our initial table sponsors, Pinnacle Bank and California State University, Monterey Bay (BCM).
Download sponsorship forms here. Email Brian Turlington at bturlington@mcbc.biz or call (831) 216-3000 with meal and lodging questions. Reserve your tickets now.
 
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MCBC to honor Congressman Sam Farr at its annual Anniversary Gala
Join the Monterey County Business Council in honoring Rep. Sam  Farr at this year's 21st Anniversary Gala & Economic Vitality Awards. We hope you will join the business, education and government communities in our region in saluting Farr for his years of service.
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Monterey approves MIIS master plan
Monterey's Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a master plan that will map the future vision of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (BCM) in downtown Monterey. The 20-year plan, which includes three development phases, will include partially closing Pierce Street to motor vehicle traffic and creating a public plaza and building new classrooms.
Spread out over a three-block area, the plan aims to concentrate its physical footprint over two of those three blocks and creates a more traditional quad-like campus. It will be designed to ultimately accommodate up to 1,600 students.
Phase one, which is expected to be completed in one to five years, includes the acquisition of two public parking lots and limiting Pierce Street to only emergency bike and pedestrian access. An area will be repurposed into a plaza with art and public amenities. Phase two, which is expected to be completed in six to 10 years, includes internal improvement to buildings. Phase three includes the construction of a new building at Van Buren and Franklin streets and the demolition of some existing buildings and replacement of some other buildings.
MCBC Executive Director Brian Turlington, addressing the Planning Commission at the meeting, pointed out the the economic, educational, social and cultural contributions MIIS brings to our region, particularly to Monterey itself.
Read the full story online.
Source: Monterey County Herald
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California's Online Marketplace: State introduces integrated vendor portal
Some advice from Monterey Bay PTAC Program Manager Teri Williams for small business owners interested in doing business with the state:
California introduces a new online portal this month designed to improve the experience of businesses selling products and services to the state of California. This new system, Cal eProcure, replaces the previous eprocurement database, BidSync, and gives businesses access to bidding and contracting resources in one location. Cal eProcure is user-friendly and responsively designed for mobile devices.
The state of California purchases a wide variety of goods and services, with the Department of General Service (DGS) Procurement Division (PD) serving as the central purchasing authority for all state agencies. To do business with the state of California, potential contractors or suppliers must register in the eProcurement database.
By replacing BidSync, Cal eProcure becomes the portal for access to advertised bid opportunities with the state of California in the California State Contracts Register (CSCR). It also provides access to the State Contracting and Procurement Registration System (SCPRS), Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SB/DVBE) certification and queries, and statewide Leveraged Procurement Agreement (LPA) search functions.
Fi$Cal, the financial information system for the state, is a historic partnership between the Department of Finance, the State Controller’s Office, the State Treasurer’s Office and the Department of General Services designed to prepare the state systems and workforce to function in an integrated financial management system environment. Fi$Cal is now offering online training for bidder and supplier activities in Cal eProcure (www.CaleProcure.ca.gov (https://caleprocure.ca.gov)).
Want to find out more about the procurement process? Contact the Monterey Bay PTAC via email, or call 216-3000.
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Federal officials warn of El Niño risk, urge Californians to be prepared
Federal emergency officials on Wednesday issued their strongest warnings yet about El Niño, urging Californians to prepare for the predicted onslaught of storms by taking immediate steps that could save lives and property.
"It is critical that citizens take the risk seriously," said Bob Fenton of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who led an emergency response drill with regional agencies in Sacramento on Wednesday.
If this El Niño mimics the winters of 1982-83 and 1997-98, as expected, some coastal counties face a trifecta of flood risk: seasonally high "king tides," storm-induced surges near beaches, and rising rivers along flood plains, experts said. Already, sea levels are higher than normal, due to El Niño's warm ocean temperatures.
Residents in flood-prone California, especially, should do the following: research their risks and reduce them before the rain starts, create a family emergency plan and buy flood insurance. See FEMA's recommendations here.
Homes on the Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Monterey coasts are at high risk due to winds and so-called "storm tides," the combination of ocean storm surge and the astronomical tide, said Morris. For example, a 15-foot storm surge on top of a 2-foot high tide can send waves cascading onto property 17 feet beyond usual levels.
Many Californians have already taken heed of warnings, the experts noted. About 7,100 new flood insurance policies have been purchased in the last month.
In California, forecasters predict that El Niño-related conditions will start in January and last through March.
Read the full story online.
Source: Mercury News
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Community Prepareness Meeting set for Dec. 16 at Oldemeyer Center
The Seaside Fire Department will host a Community Preparedness Meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 at Oldemeyer Center, addressing community preparedness, El Niño, flooding precautions and community resilience.
Partnering organizations include the City of Seaside (BCM), American Red Cross, Recovers, the County of Monterey (BCM) and PG&E (BCM).
The meeting is open to the public, with no advance registration required.
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Register now for TPO's 12th annual Employment Law & Leadership Conference
Register now for TPO's 12th annual Employment Law & Leadership Conference, to take place from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016 at Embassy Suites, Monterey Bay.
Morning sessions will include the Saqui Law Group's labor and employment law update, "What's Coming At You in 2016!" Mike Saqui will take you through the latest labor and employment law twists and turns and give you lively, jargon-free advice about what you need to do to get your employment practices in line for 2016 compliance.
Afternoon breakout sessions include "Unintended Pay Discrimination," "The Top 10 Avoidable Mistakes Employers Make," "Driving Those Difficult Conversations," and "HR Q&A" and an affiliate showcase.
Use code MCBC for Monterey County Business Council discount rate of $249 ($299 after early-bird deadline of Jan. 1, 2016; regular rate $349). For details or to register, see www.tpohr.com.
The Monterey County Business Council is a sponsor of TPO's annual conference.
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AgTech Insight to explore innovation at RoboUniverse Conference & Expo
AgTech Insight is headed to San Diego for the Agriculture Track at RoboUniverse, Dec. 14-16 at the San Diego Convention Center.
RoboUniverse's Ag Track will explore innovation in farming practices and examine a new breed of connected smart farms enabled by robotics and technology. These technologies aim to enhance efficiency, accuracy, big data usability, and automation.
Get 10 percent off your registration when you use the discount code AGTECH. See details or registration info online. Additional sessions will address Cognitive Science, Drones, Manufacturing & Logistics, and more.
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P.G. reports success with First Friday's innovative 'cash mobs'
The success of Pacific Grove's recent "cash mobs," an idea proposed by Pacific Grove Economic Development Commission Chair Jacquie Atchison, was recently profiled in an article in financial media publication, "The Street."
Atchison, faced with the challenge of finding ways to increase foot traffic in local businesses, suggested a monthly cash mob during First Friday, when stores and art galleries stay open later one night a month.
“I was presented with a complex economic challenge from our business community who expressed a desire of an increase in foot traffic, yet weren’t interested or had the skills or time to market their business,†she explains. “Some of these businesses were not seeing sufficient revenue to justify extending hours, and customers were coming to shop and finding that the stores did not maintain consistent hours, and getting frustrated and taking their business out of the community.â€
Giving away cash to spend at a local business on a certain day generates hype on that day, but Atchison believes cash mobs are effective and essentially influence and develop local shopping behaviors.
“The cash mobs have had a lasting impact on these businesses, because we have introduced new customers, with many have returning again for more shopping or dining,†she says. Her organization has hosted five cash mobs and reports each month has added more participants and an increased economic boost.
Local business owners said the event has been nothing but positive. Leila Kane from Blessings Boutique says the events are fun, but the proof is in the receipts. "...in the 30 minutes of 'cash-mobbing,' we enjoyed twice the intake we would normally experience for the entire night.â€
Read the full story online.
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California public works contractors warned to renew registration before Jan. 1, 2016
A mandatory renewal deadline is approaching for contractors who bid or work on public works projects in California, the Department of Industrial Relations says. Contractors whose public works contractor registration expired June 30, 2015, and have ongoing public works projects or plan to bid on new ones, must pay the $300 renewal fee before Jan. 1, 2016 or face an additional $2,000 late penalty after that date.
All contractors have been required since April 1 to register with DIR to be awarded a public works contract, even if the project did not go out to bid.
If you believe that your public works registration with DIR is still active, you can check the active contractor registration search tool to locate and confirm your registration.
Source: Central Valley Business Times
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MCBC: We're open for business
While some of the Monterey County Business Council's events, such as our monthly membership luncheons, are open only to MCBC members, others such as the quarterly Eggs & Issues breakfast forums are open to the general public.
These events are built around timely and topical subjects designed to meet the needs of those doing business in Monterey County. Many also offer powerful opportunities for networking and better understanding the challenges and opportunities facing companies, organizations and nonprofits in Monterey County .
Keep informed of our upcoming events via the MCBC's weekly newsletter and via the MCBC website at www.mcbc.biz.
To learn about membership in the only countywide organization focused on business advocacy, economic development and workforce readiness, contact MCBC Executive Director Brian Turlington at bturlington@mcbc.biz.
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