[American Red Cross worker Colin Chaperon delivers supplies to Camp Simon, Le Betemont. Photo: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross]

Chamber Members Making a Difference – As relief efforts continue following the magnitude-7.0 earthquake in Haiti, Chamber members are making a difference.  On Monday, Safeway began installing coin donation machines in prominent city buildings and is also accepting donations at 15 city supermarkets.  American Airlines is flying in relief supplies and awarding bonus miles to customers who give a $50-plus donation to the American Red Cross. Bank of America is donating $1 million to earthquake relief.  Catholic Healthcare West is contributing $100,000 for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts of the St. Francis de Sales Hospital in Port Au Prince.  Additional financial contributions have come from Wells Fargo, AT&T, Safeway and many others.  The Chamber thanks all our members for their support of Haitian relief efforts.  Donations can be made to Chamber member American Red Cross at www.redcross.org or by calling
1-800-REDCROSS.  Read more.

Transbay Transit Center Train Station Receives $400M – The Chamber supported Transbay Transit Center train station project was awarded $400 million today from the federal stimulus program.  The Chamber applauds Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood for their leadership in securing the investment and for their continued support for the high-speed rail station in San Francisco. Read more.

Immigrant Contributions to California – Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Jim Lazarus joined San Francisco City & County Assessor-Recorder, Phil Ting, San Francisco Archdiocese Director of Public Policy, George Welsolek and other community leaders to unveil the most recent data on California immigrants and their contributions to California. According to the report, new lawful immigrants entering the U.S. will provide a net benefit of approximately $407 billion in present value to America's Social Security system over the next 50 years. Read more

Changes in Market Street Traffic Trial – Traffic traveling eastbound (toward the Ferry Terminal) on Market Street is now being diverted to new routes as part of the Market Street Traffic Trial.  Westbound traffic on Market Street (toward Van Ness Ave.) will not be affected. Transit, taxis, delivery vehicles and bicycles will continue to travel in both directions on Market Street.  All traffic on streets crossing Market Street will continue as normal.  View changes to eastbound traffic. Contact, The Better Market Street Project at marketstreet@sfgov.org or call 311. Read more

		Get Help Preparing for New Cargo Screening Mandate

All businesses that ship cargo on passenger aircraft must prepare for new cargo shipping mandates effective August 2010.  In accordance with the 9/11 Act enacted by Congress, 100 percent of air cargo flown on passenger aircraft must be screened. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has developed a Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) providing businesses with opportunities to screen cargo cost-effectively and efficiently where it is packaged and in-house.  More information on CCSP and other TSA resources are available through a free, live Webinar February 3 at 10:00 AM or at a Town Hall April 28 and 29 in San Francisco. Read more   Register

		Get Tax Credits for your Employees

Tax season is approaching and state law now requires employers to notify all eligible workers about Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).  Chamber partner SF Works helps San Francisco employees access significant savings through their entitled tax credits including: EITC worth from $457 to $5600 (depending on income and family size) and a San Francisco Working Families Tax Credit worth up to $125.  Workers earning under $52,000 annually are eligible for free tax preparation.  Contact 415.217.5181 or staff@sfworks.org.

		Join the Hottest Leads Club in Town!

The Chamber's Business Alliance is a structured leads-exchange program meeting twice monthly designed for networking, professional and personal development. Members develop skills and tools to grow their businesses, dramatically expand their network of contacts, and exchange leads, which turn into increased revenue. Contact Maya Lewis at mlewis@sfchamber.com or 415.352.8840. Read more

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