‘Brighter’ future seen for businesses

Local business leaders said they continue to see improvements in the business sector, which means good news for area companies and the region in general for 2015.

Dolores Canizales, Poway Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said last year several businesses were just beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel after years of recession.

“This year, for many more businesses, the future looks much brighter than it has in some time,” Canizales said. “Most economists agree that San Diego County is on the right track. Biotech, environmental science, health care, construction and manufacturing industries have all reported a significant increase in the number of jobs created.

“Two industries that are sure to continue to grow over the next few years are tourism and defense, and both will positively impact Poway,” she said.

“A survey of Rancho Bernardo Business Association members found increased overall optimism about the local economy spurred by the Federal Reserve’s intention to keep the price of borrowing low in the face of virtually no inflation, lower oil prices and default rates, and an uptick in hourly wages,” said RBBA President Marty Judge. “With a stable, growing economy, buyers are driving the market in residential real estate sales, table-service restaurants are busier and sales at some retail establishments are up.

“There has been a particularly strong surge in the home improvement industry, with more painting, kitchen and bath remodeling, and lawn care upgrading than in any time since the Great Recession,” Judge said. “Hotel occupancy is improving and there is pressure to provide more upscale commercial rental space.”

Judge added, “Membership as well as attendance at the RBBA’s monthly receptions has increased steadily and we expect a surge in membership for the first quarter of 2015.”

North San Diego Business Chamber President and CEO Debra Rosen said finding ways to retain businesses and attract more local spending in the region will be one of the chamber’s primary goals in 2015.

“It is critical we find ways to address the needs of the region and still remain competitive in an increasingly difficult business climate,” Rosen said.

Regarding those difficulties, she mentioned last year’s efforts to raise the minimum wage within the City of San Diego and how a varying minimum wage in the region would impact businesses. “It would have impacted everyone differently based on where you lived, spent your money and worked,” she said.

For that reason, Rosen said North San Diego Business Chamber worked to educate the community about the potential impact on businesses, employees and the public. In 2015, the chamber plans to continue staying on top of regional and statewide issues that will impact businesses throughout the region, she said.

Rosen said, “2014 was a year of change for many across the region, and 2015 promises to be a year of continued change.”

Part of that change will be through what the business chamber and other such groups provide members. North San Diego Business Chamber is adding two programs, one to help those transitioning out of the military and another for emerging leaders. Rosen said both programs, which start this month, focus on the two markets critical to the vibrancy of the region’s workforce and will focus on workforce development.

The Poway Chamber is working with the City of Poway and Small Business Development Center in Oceanside to present free, two-hour business development workshops on the third Wednesday of each month, starting on Jan. 21 in Poway City Hall. The monthly sessions will cover topics such as business financing, marketing and writing a business plan, Canizales said.

To create a more dynamic and attractive Poway, last fall the city agreed to hire a planning and transportation consulting firm to conduct a study of Poway Road and assist the city in planning for its future. The Poway Road Corridor Study is expected to provide recommendations on land use, transportation, design/aesthetics and economic development for Poway Road, Canizales said.

“With improvements to Poway Road, many businesses will attract new customers and create local jobs,” she added.

Rosen said her organization plans to expand the Think Local First initiative, a coalition it helped found. It supports local businesses by raising community awareness on the importance of keeping local dollars in the region and in its economy.

“Between half and three quarters of every dollar spent in the local economy goes into our tax base and helps to pay wages to our neighbors and friends,” Rosen said. “It is a vital aspect of the vibrancy of our communities to help support local business, jobs and contracts.

“In 2015, we will continue to expand the reach of the campaign into other parts of the county and continue to educate the public and our local jurisdictions on how they can assist in keeping our economy thriving by local investment,” Rosen said.

Canizales said the Poway Chamber of Commerce has joined other chambers in the county to collaborate on issues impacting businesses and to focus on statewide policy changes for the betterment of all businesses in the region.

Leaders of all three groups said their organizations will also continue offering networking opportunities to their members and prospective members throughout 2015.

“The North San Diego Business Chamber has a year planned that will have a strong impact on the region and local communities,” Rosen said. “Small business is the backbone of the country and important to the sustainability of our communities.”