 |
Home | Contact Us | Join the Chamber | Buy Online | Site Map |
 |
 |
||||||||
 |
|---|
The Lemon Festival Is This Weekend! The Lemon Launch Business After Hours at Glen Annie Golf Club was a great success! The Chamber honored the Lemon Festival sponsors and and committee and celebrated the kick off of Lemon Season in Goleta. Special thanks to Glen Annie Golf Club and Ventura Limoncello for hosting this great event. Marborg Industries (Marborg family pictured above) is the presenting sponsor for the 18th Annual California Lemon Festival in Goleta which kicks off tomorrow night with the rides for the kids from 5-8 p.m. at Girsh Park. The festival opens Saturday at 10 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. Saturday's activities include the Goleta Fall Classic Car, Motorcycle and Hot Rod Show and A Taste of Coastal Wines wine tasting from 1-5 p.m. Sunday's hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both days include Safety Street, arts and crafts vendors, fun local entertainment, pie eating contests, lemon food and ale, the Green Business Trade Show, and kids rides. For more information visit http://www.lemonfestival.com. We hope to see you there!  |
Message from the President & CEO The Goleta City Council unanimously approved an economic development strategic plan this month. With so many milestones achieved by our new City, I am glad to see a new focus on the economic engines that drive the economy of Goleta and make it such a great place to live, work and play. The City took a comprehensive approach to setting some targets and goals for maintaining and growing our economic base. They also worked with the Chamber – asked us to participate in the City’s process for developing this plan. These are very positive steps that show that the City is turning a corner and working hard to be known as business-friendly. The goals of the Economic Development Strategic Plan mirror many of the Chamber’s.
The framework and strategies in the plan are straightforward and simple. Not easy, but simple. There is a chart that outlines the timelines and responsibilities for leadership toward achieving the goals, and it relies strategically and consistently on the Chamber and the business community. We, the Chamber, should take this very seriously and use the plan is to become a roadmap for programs that the Chamber will work on for years to come. Here are a few highlights from the economic development strategic plan: Strategy 1.5 is to develop a closer working relationship with the Airport. Business travelers use the SB airport and then we “lose them” to Santa Barbara for their shopping and lodging. There is also strategic planning that could enhance the Airport’s commercial real estate strategy that would help keep good businesses in Goleta. Strategy 2.1 to Promote Goleta – whether it is locally, to our immediate region, or to capture more of the Santa Barbara market travelers, a program to promote Goleta as a tourism spot, provide conference support to businesses and keep more travelers in Goleta hotels – is a good strategy. There are tried and true methods to increasing revenue in this area, and we have significant TOT revenue to use to fund it. Strategy 3.2 suggests partnering with UCSB to provide incubator-type programs to help start-up companies grow in Goleta. We believe this is one of the top priorities we should focus on right now and we made a proposal for a similar program last year. Strategy 4.4 proposed to pursue funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. There is $350 million available through the Federal Stimulus package that we believe we could apply for to help fund the UCSB partnership in the incubator and start-up programs that we propose. Several strategies propose business roundtables and business outreach events – the Chamber has already begun some of these programs with help from the City and we see the expansion and continuation of these as a positive. Then Strategy 5.4 is to explore the creation of a South County economic development office – we believe that this, or in the form of the Goleta Innovation Center that we proposed, or even an economic development position or department at the City would be vital to the success of future economic vitality efforts. In summary, this is a good plan, but it is only a plan. Efforts made by the City and our Chamber to make progress towards these goals will truly make an economic impact on our beloved Goleta. |
Ambassadors Make Mixer Tour; B2B a Success What a terrific summer! June, July and August were stellar months for Ambassador participation at the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce. Not only did the Ambassador Council spearhead our most successful Business After Hours event ever, aka the Magical Mixer Tour, they also led the Chamber to its highest attendance for the Business 2 Business Breakfast! It is with the utmost admiration and respect that I share the following successes directly due to the commitment of those who are the heart and soul of the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce.
What could have been the slowest time of our year has been very busy. Our team of volunteers is strong, productive, and connecting businesses daily. As we look forward to 2010, I can tell you that our Ambassador program will continue to grow in strength and number. Co-Chairs of Drew Wakefield and Michelle Bischoff are currently planning to add additional spots to an already full council. Each volunteer understands the value and impact their service has on the Chamber and is committed to making the Chamber productive, useful, helpful and fun for all of our members. If your company is interested in nominating an individual for our Ambassador Council for 2010, please forward contact information to Max@GoletaValley.com. |
RLA Update: Tax Reforms Proposals Meet Quick Resistance Many of California’s tax codes were written when we were largely an agriculturally based economy. Since then, California has also become a manufacturing powerhouse, and, more recently, a service-based economy. Our tax rates have not changed with our economy. Since California’s general fund and its cities are so dependent on specific taxes for revenues, any economic downturn can have severe consequences on annual spending plans as revenues dramatically decrease beyond projections. Furthermore, our high tax rates drive many of our largest taxpayers to other states. Therefore, a bi-partisan commission has boldly recommended that California update its tax codes to be re-written to be consumption based. In other words, lower income taxes and establish new taxes on service-based companies. Here are the highlights: 1. Reduce number of income tax brackets from six to two with top rate of 6.5%. 2. Create Business Net Receipts Tax at 4%, which is half of the existing corporate tax but would end wage and benefit exemptions for employees. 3. Eliminate the 5% state sales tax portion dedicated for the state’s general fund. Hardly anyone in Sacramento expects these recommendations to go anywhere as business and labor groups are already criticizing them. Some of the taxpayer advocate groups are concerned that if sales tax rates go down, counties will try to get voters to maintain the current sales tax rates for additional revenues. It’s a complicated problem with no easy answers in sight. Regardless, our business climate is uncompetitive because so many of our tax rates are relatively higher than neighboring states. Brendan is the Executive Director of the Regional Legislative Alliance. He can be reached brendan@huffmanpa.com. |
Member NewsAvoilio of Latitude 34 Honored by Pacific Coast Business TimesCongratulations to Paul Avolio of Latitude 34. He is the one of the recipients of the 40 Under 40 awards given annually by Pacific Coast Business Times. If you’re interested in attending the dinner on Monday, Oct. 19 at the Topa Tower club in Oxnard, contact Marketing Director Jennifer Hemmy at jhemmy@pacbiztimes.com for more information. Law Office of Sean C. Mason Has a New Look The Law Office of Sean C. Mason has undergone a renovation. To see what is new, go to www.masonlawgroup.com. Gaucho Link Webinar Offered - Hire Gauchos Using UCSB's Free Official Job Posting Service This webinar will highlight how to utilize GauchoLink to create a free account, post jobs/internships, update your profile, and more. GauchoLink Webinar, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 12:30pm – 1:30pm For more information and/or to RSVP for this webinar, please visit: http://career.ucsb.edu/employers/webinar.html Employment Development Department Payroll Tax Seminar Offered http://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars/ Chamber NewsChina Trip Still Has Openings. Have Your Made Your Plans?Whether you use this opportunity as a family vacation, a once-in-a-lifetime pleasure trip, or a trade mission for your business, our China trip is the best value for luxury and affordability at under $2,000 all-inclusive. See our website or stop by the China booth at the Lemon Festival. Download the brochure or the China Information Packet for the trip (packet includes FAQs, itinerary, shopping information and optional tour information.) Third Quarter Membership Survey Feedback Chamber Members - Please take the third quarter membership survey which will help us as we plan our work for 2010. If you have not already taken the survey, please do so by October 26th. Click here to participate.
|
 |
|||
 |
|
 |
|
