Monterey County is witnessing a remarkable transformation, thanks to the partnership and commitment of the County of Monterey and Building Business Back
MCBC's Building Business Back programming is rejuvenating the local economy, igniting a spirit of resilience, and paving the way for a brighter economic future. Our strategic initiatives and comprehensive programs empower entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing market. By providing a solid foundation of support and resources, our team is instrumental in helping businesses overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
Through innovative workshops, tailored support, and invaluable resource opportunities, Building Business Back fosters an environment of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. We understand that success is not achieved in isolation, but through a collective effort that brings together diverse perspectives and expertise. Building Business Back recognizes the importance of a sustainable and inclusive economy. We champion initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all members of the community have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. By nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and providing pathways for underrepresented groups, we are building a stronger, more vibrant business community.
Thank you to the County of Monterey for its support. Please contact our team or join us for an upcoming workshop . We are here to serve you, and all of our services are free for Monterey County businesses.
RSVP now for upcoming events with County Supervisors Glenn Church, Chris Lopez, and Chair Luis Alejo
Thank you to those who have attended our recent, and sold-out, Supervisor Speaker Series luncheons with Supervisor Mary Adams and Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. Limited seating is still available for our remaining 2023 Supervisor Speaker Series dates. Register online to save your seat for MCBC's sellout series. If your business is interested in partnership opportunities, please contact Jenny McAdams, Director of Operations.
Thank you to our partners:
Monterey County: Business with PRIDE!
We invite business owners to proudly self-identify as LGBTQ+ owned or LGBTQ+ friendly and showcase their support for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Help the Building Business Back and Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations teams in creating a comprehensive LGBTQ+ business directory for Monterey County by completing this survey!
Please fill out the short survey and you'll appear in directories for Building Business Back and Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations. The survey is available online here.
New Member Spotlight | Elkhorn Slough Foundation
NOAA approves $2.2 million to restore lost coastal habitats
MCBC welcomes our newest member, Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF), a community-supported nonprofit land trust whose mission is to conserve and restore Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. ESF protects more than 4,200 acres of rare habitat, including oak woodlands, coastal prairie, maritime chaparral, and wetlands. ESF sees Elkhorn Slough and its watershed protected forever—a working landscape where people, farming, industry, and nature thrive together. Founded in 1982, ESF is an accredited land trust that conserves over 4,200 acres, working in partnership with the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Management Office approved $2.2 million in new funding to support a far-reaching restoration initiative at Elkhorn Slough. The funding, generated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with funding leveraged by the Inflation Reduction Act, will bring back species across an entire coastal landscape, from coastal grasslands to tidal salt marsh, eelgrass beds to native oysters. This restoration will take place on the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, owned and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in partnership with NOAA and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.
More than 90 percent of California’s wetlands have vanished over the past century. Today, Elkhorn Slough features the most extensive salt marshes in California south of San Francisco Bay. Yet without intervention, its remaining marshes are projected to be lost within 50 years due to rising sea levels, subsidence, and tidal erosion.
Read more about the critical role of tidal salt marshes and innovative, integrated approach to coastal restoration in the press release. See the Monterey County Weekly article here
Every month, the Monterey County Business Council offers essential outreach programs, workshops, and networking opportunities for our local businesses and members. Take advantage of these valuable resources by either registering online for one of our events or reaching out to us directly to learn more about how our team can assist your business.
May 19th at 11:30 a.m. -Supervisor Speaker Series with District 4 Supervisor Wendy Root Askew
Join us as we hear more about Askew's priorities as Supervisor: social equity, healthcare access, high quality services, access to affordable child care, recovery from the pandemic, and more. RSVP here
May 31st at 10 a.m. - Free Workshop "Introduction to the SBIR/STTR Program"
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs encourage small businesses to engage in Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization.RSVP here
June 7th at 11:30 a.m.- Free Lunch & Learn "Resources to Help Your Business"
Building Business Back is excited to host its first Lunch & Learn on the Monterey Peninsula. Don't miss out on soon-to-expire programs that can help your business. RSVP here
June 15th at 4 p.m.- Taller Gratuito "El Sueño Americano con su ITIN"
¿Le interesa emprender un negocio o comprar una casa? El equipo de Building Business Back le invita a acompañarnos en este taller GRATUITO en el que expertos compartirán cómo puede iniciar un negocio y comprar una casa con un ITIN. RSVP aqui
June 16th at 11:30 a.m. -Monthly Luncheon with Sheriff Tina Nieto
Join us as we get to know our Monterey County Sheriff and hear her vision and priorities for the Monterey County Sheriff's Department. RSVP here
Lisa Brinton appointed new Community Development Director for City of Salinas
Lisa Brinton has been appointed as the new community development director for the City of Salinas (MCBC member), taking over the position vacated by Megan Hunter, who left to become the City Manager for Soledad in April.
Brinton has been in the city's community development department since 2016. She started as a Senior Planner and was later promoted to Assistant Community Development Director. Read more Source: KION
U.S. Navy invites public input for Environmental Assessment for Naval Innovation Center at NPS
The U.S. Navy is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of a Naval Innovation Center at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The purpose of the proposed Naval Innovation Center is to enhance its graduate education and research mission to include collaborative innovation for the development of defense-focused, naval-relevant solutions.
To leverage industry innovation more effectively, the Navy needs a Naval Innovation Center designed to facilitate collaboration for applied research solutions with new technologies, while simultaneously developing leaders educated to employ them. The Naval Innovation Center would be designed to promote collaboration with industry partners, providing a facility for hands-on experimentation with emerging technologies for the development of defense-focused, naval-relevant solutions.
The public is encouraged to provide comments on the scope of the EA, viable alternatives, and specific environmental topics for consideration in the analysis. Comments for the scoping phase must be postmarked or received online by the close of the public comment period on May 31, 2023.
Submit written comments online, or mail written comments to: Naval Support Activity Monterey, ATTN: Public Affairs Officer, 271 Stone Road, Monterey, CA 93943. Download the project fact sheet booklet to learn more about the project. For more information, visit www.NICMontereyEA.com.
Make sure your news gets noticed!
Submit news items of general interest about your organization or upcoming events for consideration for inclusion in Friday Facts, our weekly MCBC newsletter that reaches key decision-makers, industry leaders, movers and shakers in Monterey County and the greater region.
Special thanks to the County of Monterey for its ongoing support of the Monterey County Business Council's efforts for economic development, business recovery, and education.
