Ebbies Nominations Now Open –The Chamber is now seeking nominations for the 2012 Excellence in Business Awards (Ebbies), San Francisco’s preeminent celebration of the Bay Area’s visionary entrepreneurs, business leaders and exemplary corporate citizens. This year’s competition and awards gala will recognize businesses in the following categories: Excellence in Business, Small Business, Economic Development, Emerging Growth and Innovation through Technology. The Chamber will also honor a rising star, next generation executive with the Change Leader Award. Nominations are now open for all categories. Self nominations are encouraged. Nomination deadline is June 29. Read more and download a nomination kit today!

Progress on BART Train Car Project –The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) agency recommended Bombardier for its New Train Car Project that will design and build 775 new railcars for the system by 2020. The agency stressed the importance of the project and discussed the bidding process, which awarded Bombardier the highest technical score at the lowest price. “Business would not function without BART,” Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk told media and transit supporters during a press conference Monday. “It is crucial that we move this project forward.” The Chamber congratulates BART for its leadership in moving the project forward and urges the Board of Directors to support the agency’s recommendation. Read more.

Chamber Applauds Selection of new SFUSD Superintendent – The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Board of Education unanimously selected Richard Carranza as the next superintendent. Mr. Carranza will succeed Chamber Board Member Superintendent Carlos Garcia who will retire at the end of the school year. “The Chamber thanks Superintendent Garcia for his service and applauds the selection of Richard Carranza as the district’s next superintendent,” said Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk.  “Mr. Carranza is an effective leader who will continue to move the district in the right direction for San Francisco.” Read more.

Economic Development: April Update –The Bay Area economy remains on an upward trend according to the Chamber’s foundation partner the San Francisco Center for Economic Development.  According to the most recent data, unemployment rates in San Francisco remain relatively stable at 8.1 percent. The city’s office market continues to be driven by the tech sector, and Class A space in the CBD grew by 7.7 percent. Bay Area home sales were recently at their highest level in five years as the result of lower prices and an improving economy. Read more.

Reminder: HCSO Annual Reporting Due April 30 – April 30 is the deadline to submit the 2011 Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) Annual Reporting Form (ARF) to the San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE). Employers with 20 or more employees (including those employed outside of San Francisco) must submit the 2011 ARF, which has been updated to reflect the Amendment to the HCSO that went into effect this year. Click here to learn more and access instructions and technical requirements to submit the ARF electronically. Contact hcso@sfgov.org or 415.554.7892.