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May 16, 2013
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| A Giant Step Forward for Mission Rock – The Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed the term sheet for the Chamber-supported Mission Rock development on Seawall Lot 337 and Pier 48. The $1.6 billion 27-acre project will be one of the largest urban mixed-use projects in the nation, and will include up to 1,000 rental apartments, 1.7 million square feet of office space, 125,000 square feet of shops and local retail, a multi-story parking garage, a new home for Anchor Brewing & Distilling, and a spectacular bayside park. Developed jointly by the San Francisco Giants and the Port of San Francisco, the project is expected to generate over 20,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new property tax increment revenues. Revenues for businesses in the area are estimated to increase to over one billion annually. Several Chamber members are part of the project team including: Perkins + Will, Hathaway Dinwiddie, Nibbi Bros., WSP Flack + Kurtz Inc. CBRE and Sheppard Mullin. Read more |
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| Emerging Business Loan Fund – Emerging small businesses have access to $12 million in new affordable loans thanks to the Emerging Business Loan Fund (EBLF) announced by Mayor Ed Lee during San Francisco Small Business Week. Administered by Bay Area Small Business Finance (BASBF), the new fund leverages federal dollars to expand access to low interest financing, $50,000 - $1,000,000, for entrepreneurs in growing industries such as manufacturing, apparel and accessory sectors. The new program is part of the Chamber-supported Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative and builds on the success of the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), which has provided more than $1.3 million in loans to 51 local small businesses creating more than 140 jobs since its launch in 2009. Click here to read more about the EBLF and RLF. |
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| Chamber Named Leading Catalyst for Clean Energy Economy – The Chamber was recognized as a leading catalyst for economic development and clean energy in a first-of-its-kind report released Wednesday by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), a national network of chambers of commerce working to advance clean energy solutions across America. “Clean energy is an important economic development tool in San Francisco and our nation,” said Chamber President & CEO Bob Linscheid. “The Chamber is proud to be recognized, along with our chamber colleagues, for our role helping to attract investment, support business growth and grow the emerging clean energy economy.” Click here to view the full report. |
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| HOPE for San Francisco’s Homeless – Chamber members heard from San Francisco Director of HOPE (Housing Opportunity, Partnerships and Engagement) Bevan Dufty and homeless and housing service providers Tuesday at the May Public Policy Forum. The group provided an update on the city’s housing and homeless programs that are assisting individuals who are homeless or live in supportive housing and called upon the business community to help support programs and hire workers. “The business community provides jobs, and jobs change lives,” said Goodwill Industries Career Center Manager Lonnie Tuck. Click here to learn more about HOPE and contact Dee Schexnayder at dee.schexnayder@sfgov.org or 415.554.6992 to get engaged. The next Public Policy Forum is June 11th on the Warriors Waterfront Arena. Read more and register. |
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| Green Business Incentives – Chamber small business members recently heard from the San Francisco Department of the Environment at a Small Business Issues Forum. Members learned about the City’s Green Business Program, which offers recognition to local sustainable businesses and helps businesses lower their costs and save natural resources. Members also learned about the opportunity for free energy assessments and incentives for energy efficiency upgrades through SF Energy Watch, and about rebates and tax credits for solar water heating and solar electricity technologies. The next Small Business Issues Forum is June 5 on the Three "P"s of Fabulous Presenting. Read more and register. |
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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| MEMBERS MAKING NEWS |
GAP Inc. is donating $1 million for a new Boys & Girls Club in Western Addition. Lockton Companies, LLC raised over $1,400 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at its annual breakfast burrito sale. McRoskey Mattress Co donated 300 beds to the Canon Barcus Community House, a long-term housing center for homeless and low-income families. United Airlines announced a new goal to save 85 million gallons of fuel in 2013, equivalent to 828,750 metric tons of CO2 or roughly $275 million dollars at current fuel prices. Click here to submit your company's news. |
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| THIS WEEK IN PUBLIC POLICY |
The Chamber testified at the Bay Conservation and Development Commission in support of AB 1273, which confirms that the proposed waterfront Warriors arena satisfies the State’s Public Trust requirements for Port property. The Chamber also urged support for AB 300, which establishes point-of-purchase tax collection for prepaid wireless services, and spoke out in support of the Marketplace Fairness Act, which allows states to collect the sales taxes that are already required from out-of-state, online only retailers. The Board of Supervisors Land Use and Economic Development Committee continued the Chamber-supported CEQA reform proposal from Supervisor Scott Wiener. Governor Jerry Brown released a revised state budget Tuesday that significantly increases funding for education, includes a state-based approach to the optional expansion of subsidized medical care allowed under federal law, and aims to lower debt to $4.7 billion by 2017.
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COMING UP AT THE CHAMBER...
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May 21, 8:30 – 10 am [Chamber Boardroom] |
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Getting Started in International Trade |
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Now is the time to take your business global and explore new markets! In this seminar you will learn the basics of international business, best practices for entering the global economy, and the wealth of resources available to you including, the California State Centers for International Trade Development. Read more and register. |
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May 23, 12 – 1:30 pm [SPUR] |
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California High Speed Rail Goes Local |
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Join the Chamber, Californians For High Speed Rail, Friends of Caltrain and SPUR for an award ceremony honoring Democratic Congressional Leader Nancy Pelosi, keynote remarks from California State Assembly member Fiona Ma and a lively panel discussion about the future of high-speed rail in San Francisco. Read more and register. |
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May 29, 4 – 5:30 pm [Chamber Boardroom] |
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Chamber President Roundtable |
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Join Chamber President & CEO Bob Linscheid for a members-only roundtable discussion. During this monthly session, groups of members will meet personally with Bob and have the opportunity to discuss your business and industry – and how the Chamber can help you succeed. Attendance will be limited to 50 participants in each session. Read more and register today! |
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Click here to view more upcoming events from the Chamber and our members. Subscribe to EventFlash and get a weekly listing of top business programs and events delivered to your inbox. Click here to promote your organization's business events through the Chamber. |
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