A Weekly Newsletter Promoting Monterey County:
Open for Business

Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Edition 963

County evacuation orders issued for areas along Salinas River: Peninsula could be cut off from essential services and access through Sunday

Discounted lodging available for those impacted by storm

The County of Monterey Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Department of Emergency Management, California Office of Emergency Services, other local and federal partners, is urging the public to heed the warnings of the potential for flooding along the Salinas River from Soledad, southwest of Chualar, to Spreckels and the River Road corridor, and then to the Salinas River Lagoon. The likelihood of flooding in these communities could cut them off from essential services, and an evacuation order remains in effect until further notice for the areas noted, with residents and businesses urged to act now to protect life and property. State and local officials are preparing for continued flood stage thru 9 p.m. Sunday, January 15.

Flooding will likely impact the approaches to bridges, low-lying intersections, and local surface streets. Roads that are expected to be affected include State Route 68, River Road, Reservation Road, Blanco Road, multiple secondary roads, and potentially US 101. Residents both on the peninsula and in the Salinas area should expect to be cut off for two to three days. If you see road closure signs it is imperative that you do not attempt to traverse those roads. 

Residents should seek shelter at one of the County Evacuation Shelters, with family or friends, or at various hotels on the Peninsula that are offering discount accommodations for evacuees. Information is available by calling 211 or on the Winter Storm 2023 website

Hospitality industry partners to help evacuees: Thanks to the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau for working closely with partners throughout the county and region to keep an updated list of hotels throughout the County offering evacuation rates for displaced residents.

If you are a hotel offering rates for evacuees, please email Alyssa@seemonterey.com with details. If your hospitality business has been impacted or you are modifying operations, email info@seemonterey.com with updates.

Stay Up to Date: Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at Alert Monterey County, Up-to-date and accurate information is available on social media as well. The County of Monterey has very active Facebook and Instagram pages.

California storm victims qualify for tax relief; April 18 deadline, other dates extended to May 15

California storm victims now have until May 15, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced Tuesday.
The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and specified other counties qualify for tax relief.
The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on Jan. 8, 2023. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until May 15, 2023, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.
This includes 2022 individual income tax returns due on April 18, as well as various 2022 business returns normally due on March 15 and April 18. Among other things, this means that eligible taxpayers will have until May 15 to make 2022 contributions to their IRAs and health savings accounts. Read more

MCBC February Membership Lunch: Get to Know Hartnell College President Michael Gutierrez

MCBC is pleased to host our February membership lunch with Hartnell College's new president, Michael Gutierrez. President Gutierrez will share a bit about himself as well as give an update on what's happening at Hartnell College (MCBC member).

Event Details
When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb 10
Where: Bayonet & Blackhorse, Seaside.
Cost: $35, includes lunch. (When registering, you can see the lunch options by clicking “pricing details.”)

New & Improved Date!
MCBC 'Covid Business Survival Awards'

We decided to put off our gala event until all of the holiday madness has subsided. So, please mark your calendar for the “new and improved” date of Friday evening, Feb. 24, from 6-9 p.m. Instead of a normal celebration of what would be the Monterey County Business Council’s 25th anniversary, we’re going to call this event our “Covid Business Survival Awards.” We’ll have fun while we honor some of the businesses and people who have successfully weathered the storm of the last few years. $195 per person (we should mention it’s at Pebble Beach’s posh Inn at Spanish Bay). Click here to register. For sponsorship opportunities, please email our CEO at Kimbley@MCBC.biz.

Monterey-Salinas Transit to host Mobility Workshops

Monterey-Salinas Transit (MCBC member) has scheduled two local Mobility Workshops. Learn about the variety of mobility programs offered, new bus schedules, and how to navigate available resources. The workshops are 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m.   Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula (Sally Griffin Center) or 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 in the Pacific Grove City Council Chambers.

Alvarez Technology Group to host January Cybersecurity Meetup on CMMC

This year, all contractors and subcontractors doing business with the United States Department of Defense will be required to achieve the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) to ensure all government information is adequately protected. Scheduled for 10-10:30 a.m. Thursday,  Jan. 26 and hosted by Alvarez Technology Group (MCBC member), this meetup will feature an update on the Department of Defense's CMMC, which will affect over 330,000 government contractors, large and small. RSVP

Apply for an ABC license renewal fee waiver

Does your business have an ABC license? Did you also know that ABC license renewal fees have been waived for two years? The process is easy and quick. Just follow these three steps to check eligibility and to apply.

Step 1: License search. Search by license number after receiving your renewal notice in the mail (approx. 60 days prior to license expiration date). <

Step 2: Verify eligibility. Verify license type fee waiver eligibility and identify your remaining balance due, if any.

Step 3: Submit fee waiver. Submit your renewal fee waiver either online if you have no balance due, or by mail with your payment.

We are committed to making sure businesses in Monterey County are successful. Please contact our team if you need additional assistance at (831) 216-3019 or jose@mcbc.biz.

You don't want to miss this: TPO's Employment Law & Leadership Conference

TPO's 19th Annual Employment Law & Leadership Conference is taking place on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. VirtuaLive. This is a premier conference for business owners, managers, human resources, risk management, and legal counsel in public, private and non-profit organizations. Learn from the leading Littler attorneys about the latest employment law twists and turns to bring you up to speed on the regulatory front as well as trends to watch for in the future. Learn about the many compliance issues that are of greatest concern to corporate counsel, human resource professionals, executives, and other managers on a day-to-day basis. Littler’s Employment Law Update is a thought-provoking overview and analysis of the most critical employment and labor law issues confronting employers right now.

Monterey County Business Council members qualify for a special discount rate. Register with discount code "MCBC" for Monterey County Business Council discount rate of $249.

Upcoming Monterey Bay PTAC Events

Visit the Monterey Bay PTAC website at www.montereybayptac.com to learn more about government contracting, see upcoming webinars, or contact our PTAC team.

Special thanks to the County of Monterey for its ongoing support of the Monterey County Business Council's efforts for economic development and education.

Submit news items of general interest about your organization or upcoming events for consideration for inclusion in Friday Facts, our weekly MCBC e-newsletter that reaches key decision-makers, industry leaders, movers and shakers in Monterey County and the greater region.  And if you aren't yet a member, join us now and help shape the future of Monterey County for the better. Download the membership application or call 216-3000.

Founded in 1995, the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) is a 501(c)(6) organization comprised of a diverse group of members representing all industries and geographic areas of Monterey County. It remains the only countywide organization focused on business advocacy, economic development and workforce readiness.

Please support our efforts, by becoming a member today: Membership Application
 
If you are a current MCBC member, please help us grow our membership by forwarding this email to businesses who will benefit from our services.