A Weekly Newsletter Promoting Monterey County:
Open for Business

Friday, Oct. 4, 2019

Edition 811

Assemblymember Robert Rivas featured at our next Members Only Luncheon

We are excited to welcome Assemblymember Robert Rivas to our monthly members-only lunch. Robert Rivas, who is in his first term, represents the 30th District, which includes parts of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Assemblymember Rivas will be discussing with MCBC members some of his current legislation for our district.

Monterey County Business Council Monthly Luncheons are for MEMBERS ONLY.

Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course, Seaside

New courthouse projects list elevates Fort Ord

Updated state courthouse projects rankings released last week further elevated the proposed Fort Ord Courthouse project while a proposed Greenfield courthouse project fell further on the list. That makes it even more likely the relatively new Monterey Peninsula courthouse replacement proposal will be built before the long-planned and downsized south Salinas Valley courthouse.

The state Judicial Council’s “Report on Reassessment of Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects” upgraded the $130 million Fort Ord courthouse project to “immediate need” and lifted its ranking to the fifth highest in the state, while dropping the $27.9 million Greenfield courthouse project to No. 52 on the list of 80 projects statewide. The Fort Ord project had previously been ranked 19th statewide and rated “critical need” in an earlier report, while the Greenfield proposal had been ranked 45th. Read more
Source: Monterey County Herald

Sunday is Monterey's Language Capital of the World® Cultural Festival

The fifth annual Language Capital of the World® Cultural Festival takes place this Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Custom House Plaza in Monterey. The free, family-friendly festival runs from 10 a.m. ­to 5 p.m. and features performances by an array of dancers and singers representing cultures from across the globe, ethnic food, free mini-language lessons and cultural experiences, a variety of cultural booths, and vendors of gift items from around the world. Learn some words in a language at the mini-language lessons, and then have fun trying them out at a cultural, crafts or food both!

Monterey County’s economy depends on spending by faculty and students from local language and culture institutions like the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) and DLIFLC, and employees connected with area language-services businesses, so please come out and support this very special event. Learn more  

Business startup workshops in Seaside

The City of Seaside will be offering two free business startup workshops in October for people interested in learning if business ownership is right for them. Seaside is partnering with Cal Coastal Small Business Development Center, which promotes the development, growth and success of small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in Monterey and San Benito counties. Both workshops are part of an overview to help interested parties decide if a small business is a good fit and then to create a road map for success.

Workshops will be conducted at Seaside Creates, 656 Broadway Ave. in Seaside. The first workshop, “Is Owning a Business a Good Fit for You?,” will be held Oct. 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. and the second, “Planning a Healthy Business,” will be on Oct. 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. Attend both classes for a chance to sign up for free one-on-one business consulting with the Small Business Development Center. Register here.
Source: Monterey County Herald

Remembering influential wine industry pioneer Bernardus Marinus Pons

Bernardus Winery's tasting room closed earlier this week in honor of its founder, Bernardus Marinus Pon, who died on Monday, Sept. 30. 

An Olympian and former race car driver, Pon established a vineyard in Carmel Valley and was the first winemaker to open a tasting room there, which in time inspired others to follow suit.

“We are so very grateful that he made his way to us; he helped elevate the Monterey County winemaking community," Kim Stemler, executive director of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, told the Monterey County Weekly. "He will not only be remembered for his winery, but for how accessible Ben was to everyone in the area. He chose an excellent staff, and his connections helped open doors to have his high-quality wine renown, and this news saddens us.” Read more
Source: Monterey County Weekly; photo courtesy of Bernardus Winery

HSR (High-Speed Rail) Small Business Supportive Services Symposium
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23
Time: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Bitwise Industries, 700 Van Ness Ave., Fresno
For details and to register: https://www.hsr.ca.gov/small_business/

Special thanks to the County of Monterey for its ongoing support of the Monterey County Business Council's efforts for economic development and education.

Submit news items of general interest about your organization or upcoming events for consideration for inclusion in Friday Facts, our weekly MCBC e-newsletter that reaches key decision-makers, industry leaders, movers and shakers in Monterey County and the greater region.  And if you aren't yet a member, join us now and help shape the future of Monterey County for the better. Download the membership application or call 216-3000.

Founded in 1995, the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) is a 501(c)(6) organization comprised of a diverse group of members representing all industries and geographic areas of Monterey County. It remains the only countywide organization focused on business advocacy, economic development and workforce readiness.

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