For the first time in our 107-year history the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce has created a five-year strategic plan.

The plan was created to be a distinct road map, with specific initiatives and goals to help the Chamber continue promoting the economic prosperity of San Luis Obispo.

“Since 1905 the Chamber has been at the forefront working to promote a prosperous business landscape that is in sync with the local community,” Chamber President and CEO Ermina Karim said. “This strategic plan will help us continue to do just that.”

The opportunity to make an impact on future development and transportation decisions in San Luis Obispo is here.

It has been 23 years since the city updated its Land Use and Circulation Element of the General Plan and now it is looking for business and community leaders to help lead the way.

San Luis Obispo officials are looking for qualified applicants to participate in a task force that will update the Land Use and Circulation Element of the General Plan. Task force members are asked to both provide feedback and recommendations to city staff as well as circulate the information gathered to the member’s stakeholder or interest groups.

Business owners operating in San Luis Obispo without appropriate licenses may soon find themselves needing to change their practices – or face infractions. The City is getting ready to launch an effort to get more business owners to comply with requirements to obtain a business license if operating within city limits.

“It’s very important to have tax equity to ensure that all individuals or entities doing business in SLO are treated equally,” Charles Bourbeau, director of finance and information technology said.

Business license and tax certificates represent $1.8 million in annual revenue for the city and make up 4 percent of the general fund. The city launched a similar endeavor of enhanced compliance in 2010 when a concerted effort was made to have more people comply in one specific industry – residential rental properties. Through that process, the city obtained information from the SLO County assessor’s office indicating which properties in the city were not claiming homeowner’s exemptions. The result of that effort was 1500 new tax certificates and $100,000 in revenue.

By Russ Levanway

We started 2011 with Dave Garth’s retirement on the horizon after almost 40 years of guidance at the Chamber. Thanks in large part to his leadership the Chamber has become an organization with a strong mission, sense of purpose and a dedication to the business community on the Central Coast.

With Dave’s retirement looming the board started 2011 with a goal, to give the new CEO every possible tool for success. The board also wanted to create a framework with very specific priorities and initiatives for future boards to work with and tie our Economic Vision document to.
As a result of 2011 Chairman of the Board Michael Gunther’s leadership as well as a very engaged board and staff, I’m pleased to announce the Chamber’s first-ever five-year strategic plan. This plan is a very distinct road map with specific initiatives the Chamber will undertake to fulfill our vision of San Luis Obispo’s economic future.

The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce has named Dave Juhnke its 2011 Citizen of the Year. 

Juhnke was awarded the honor at the Chamber’s 107th Annual Dinner on Saturday, January 21st. This year’s award was presented by the 2011 award sponsor Erik Justesen, CEO of RRM Design Group and 2010 Citizen of the Year Greg Hind.  

The award has been given every year since 1973 and is the Chamber’s most prestigious honor given in recognition of unparalleled service to the community of San Luis Obispo.

Living in San Luis Obispo for the past 25 years, Juhnke has been involved with dozens of philanthropic organizations where he has not only volunteered his time but his professional knowledge and experience as well. It is this charitable volunteerism that quietly sets an example for others, that led the chamber board to select him for the honor.

A new survey has been launched to gain feedback and assess the local market for the need for direct flight service from San Luis Obispo to Denver.

The SLO Chamber is supporting regional efforts – led by the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau in partnership with the SLO County Regional Airport, Economic Vitality Corporation and SLO County Air Transportation Alliance – to gather local feedback in order to show support for the additional air service. Denver was identified in a 2009 study as the top destination market.

“Air service is one of the greatest assets to local business success and expanding available routes is something that local businesses have been working towards collaboratively for the last few years,” said Ermina Karim, President/CEO of the SLO Chamber.

Local business leaders are urged to take this survey in order to demonstrate community support for direct service to Denver.

The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XHFDWVH through February 17. Results will be quickly gathered and reported back to the airlines in time for discussions and decisions regarding fall airline service.

Dave Juhnke, managing partner at Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor, LLP and Susan Waag of Waag and Company discuss the labor laws that are expected to affect businesses in 2012 at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce legislative lunch on January 9, 2012.

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Hundreds of homes in San Luis Obispo may soon be added to the inventory of properties with a historic designation. The zoning change is part of a city directed effort to recognize historic properties and heighten the pride of ownership as well as open opportunities for property tax breaks.

The neighborhoods currently under review are located near the Scolari’s shopping center, mostly bordering Johnson Avenue, from Higuera to Leff streets and total about 200 properties. The area was developed between 1890 and 1920. This initial consideration is part of the first phase of a city-wide analysis.

As you all know, time goes by quickly and I truly have felt the speed of time this year as Chair of the Board of Directors. It’s hard to imagine that it was less than a year ago that Dave Garth announced his retirement. Within that same month the issue of binding arbitration was coming to a head, and so, my year as chair began.

As I reflect on the last twelve months, what I’ve been inspired by most is the dedication and commitment of our members and volunteers. I called on many individuals this year to assist us in numerous initiatives including our first ever five year strategic plan, taking political action to promote passage of measures A and B, recruiting a new CEO, and celebrating our 20th anniversary of Leadership San Luis Obispo. The willingness of everyone to provide their time, expertise and financial resources to support our mission of building a thriving community while maintaining an incredible quality of life is simply phenomenal—even Oprah took notice.