SFO Poised to Set Records in 2012 – The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is poised to set new records in passenger traffic according to current projections. “Economic growth depends on successful and robust air transit,” said Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk. “The Chamber applauds SFO, United Airlines and the many other airline carriers whose investments are paving the way for continued passenger growth and enhanced trade and commerce across the region.”  SFO is the third fastest growing airport in the world and the 8th busiest airport in the nation. Airport executives expect more than 41 million passengers this year, allowing SFO to surpass the record set in 2000. Read more. 

BioTech Industry gets a Boost – The Chamber’s foundation partner the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED) joined Mayor Ed Lee, the Canadian ambassador to the United States, BioSF and other biotech supporters in announcing CTA@MissionBay, a new startup incubator in the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3). The incubator, which will focus on Canadian life sciences firms, is the newest international incubator helping to solidify San Francisco’s stats a global center for bioscience. Read more. 

Chamber Members Help Launch TechSF – Chamber members joined Mayor Ed Lee and the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development to launch TechSF, a new initiative to train and reskill San Francisco residents for local technology and IT jobs. The program, which received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, will provide education and training for job-seekers and will help participating employers recruit, interview and hire candidates who successfully complete the program. Participating Chamber member employers include: IBM, AT&T, City College of San Francisco, Riverbed Technology, The Exploratorium, salesforce.com and others. Read more. 

Civil Grand Jury in the Spotlight – Chamber members heard from current and former San Francisco Civil Grand Jurors Tuesday at the Public Policy Forum. Serving as an independent watchdog for local government, the jurors discussed investigations making an impact in San Francisco including pension reform and a recent report on city’s Ethics Commission. “The Ethics Commission report is helping to bring a critical issue to the public’s attention,” said Linda Clardy, 2010-2011 Foreperson for the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury. The Superior Court in San Francisco is now looking for volunteers to serve on the Civil Grand Jury. Click here for more information and apply by April 15, 2012. Contact ggiubbini@sftc.org or 415.551.3605.

This Week in Public Policy – The San Francisco Planning Commission delayed voting on the Chamber-supported 8 Washington project. The Budget & Finance Committee backed a plan to recapitalize the city’s revolving loan fund for small businesses. San Francisco port officials are considering a new $18 million city-funded plan to upgrade Piers 30-32 for the America’s Cup. The San Francisco Tenants Union is considering a new high-rent tax for the November ballot. Governor Brown and millionaires-tax backers are uniting behind a new ballot measure combining elements of both proposals. The House of Representatives passed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (or JOBS) Act.  The Senate approved a two-year transportation bill. The Federal Transit Administration guaranteed $900 million for the San Jose BART extension.

Members Making News – Chamber Board Member and San Francisco schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia announced his retirement after 37 years in public education. "Ending my career here at San Francisco Unified School District for me is a dream come true," said Garcia. "It's been the best job I've ever had in my life." Charles Schwab received the #1 ranking in the securities industry in Fortune’s 2012 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” Kaiser Permanente announced plans to slash its carbon footprint by 30 percent in eight years. PG&E announced plans to centralize its gas operations to boost efficiency. The San Francisco Zoo introduced the Early Bird Tour. Virgin America filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the right to serve San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with two nonstop daily flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Click here to submit your company’s news.

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) is soliciting applications from Bay Area residents interested in serving on the TJPA Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The TJPA CAC consists of 15 members who advise the TJPA Board of Directors on the $4 billion Transbay Transit Center Project, which will create a new regional transit hub connecting eight Bay Area counites in San Francisco.  Read more and apply by March 23. More information is available at www.transbaycenter.org. 

Take advantage of the Chamber’s partnership with Office Depot and save on office supply products for your business. Chamber members enjoy 15 percent off the lowest retail price on copy paper and toner items, 30 percent off on the top 100 most frequently used items and 5 percent off on all other products. Chamber members also receive free next day delivery of in stock items for orders $50 or greater and the same discounts in-store (with Store Purchasing Card or registered P-card). Click here to take advantage of this free, no obligation member benefit. Contact Bei Yu at bei.yu@officedepot.com.