A Weekly Newsletter Promoting Monterey County:
Open for Business

Friday, Feb. 10, 2023

Edition 967

Celebrate with Us
25th Silver Anniversary & Covid Business Survival Awards

The Board of Directors at MCBC and our team are honored to recognize the incredible work, leadership, and care for our community provided during the pandemic by this year’s honorees. Join us at the Inn at Spanish Bay on Feb. 24. Click here to register for an incredible evening. For more information on table purchases and sponsorship opportunities, please email our CEO at Kimbley@MCBC.biz. We look forward to celebrating with you.

Monterey County Business Council announces honorees for the COVID Business Survival Awards

Monterey County Business Council Board of Directors is proud to honor businesses and individuals who have made a significant impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join MCBC in celebrating the following for their community efforts during these unprecedented times:   

Small Business Innovation — Stonies Taphouse and Bistro: Demonstrated resilience and innovation during the pandemic by being one of the first local businesses to immediately pivot their business plan to offer online to-go ordering and curbside pickup. Due to their success, Stonies was able to expand its location during the pandemic.

Agriculture — Braga Fresh: Industry leaders in developing safety protocols for keeping the agricultural workforce vaccinated and safe. Their program was a trailblazing model for the agriculture industry.

Higher Education & Research — CSUMB: Strictly implemented immediate COVID safety precautions during the pandemic including a new ventilation system, walk-up COVID testing for students and staff, hybrid schooling, and individualized dorms for students.

Hospitality & Tourism — Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay: Led the hospitality industry to support and focus vaccine efforts on the Salinas Valley and farm workers. The leadership of Portola Hotel & Spa was at the forefront of bridging communication and relationships between hospitality and agriculture.

Health & Wellness — Clinica De Salud Del Valle De Salinas: Instrumental in obtaining specific state-designated vaccine allocations for farmworkers and organizing large-scale vaccination clinics.

Nonprofit — Community Foundation for Monterey County: Established the COVID-19 Collaborative, a countywide multi-sector collaboration of both existing and needed efforts fighting COVID-19 and its impacts on our community. They advanced a coordinated action plan driven by science and best practices in public health and equity.

Creative & Technology — Virus Geeks: Immediately deployed regional free mobile testing at locations throughout Monterey County, including Monterey Peninsula Regional Airport, Monterey Peninsula College, Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay, and other locations.

Lifetime Achievement Award — Mary Ann Leffel: Honored for her decades-long work in the business community.  Mary Ann is a founder of Monterey County Business Council and has served as an executive in the banking industry for 45 years. Her community work includes the Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board, current chair of the Local Agency Formation Commission, and Vice-Chair of the Monterey County Workforce Development Board. She is also a founder of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and Leadership Monterey County, and over the last several decades has participated on many more non-profits boards.

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.”)

MCBC to host first-ever Black Business Summit

At BBB, our mission is to foster a flourishing Monterey County economy that lifts all, especially our local black-owned businesses. Through a collaboration with the Monterey County Black Caucus, the Black Business Association, the California Black Chamber of Commerce, and local black business owners, BBB is thrilled to host the first-ever Black Business Summit in Monterey County. Join us for a panel discussion on the history, financial impact, and outlook of black businesses in California

PG&E customers can apply for $4,000 rebate for purchasing pre-owned electric vehicles

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (MCBC member) announced the launch of its Pre-Owned Electric Vehicle Rebate Program that will give qualified customers up to $4,000 to purchase or lease a pre-owned electric vehicle. PG&E electric customers may qualify to receive a $1,000 or $4,000 rebate, based on household income. The program's goal is to give $78 million to promote the adoption of EVs and make EV ownership more affordable. Read more
Source: KION

Vision for proposed Grand Hyatt resort hotel project presented to Seaside City Council

The Grand Hyatt Hotel proposed for the Bayonet and Black Horse (MCBC member) Golf Course in Seaside (MCBC member) will capitalize on the vista the site has looking out over the Monterey Bay, according to the representative from the architectural firm designing the facility, who presented the vision for the project.

The Grand Hyatt of Seaside at Monterey Bay project, as it is proposed to be officially named, will be a seven-level, 337,668-square-foot single hotel building with 330 guest rooms, conference center with meeting rooms, restaurant, lobby bar, service kitchen, administrative offices, spa and fitness and service and circulation areas. Read more
Source: Monterey County Herald

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.