The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is performing well above average, according to a survey comparing chambers of commerce throughout the western United States.

“The San Luis Obispo Chamber has always been viewed as one of the better chambers in California and this kind of cements that,” said Steve Snyder, vice president of local chamber relations at the California Chamber of Commerce.

The survey, developed through the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) in conjunction with Charlton Research, focused on five core competencies and how the chamber met expectations in these fields.

The core competencies researched include: creating a strong local economy, representing business interests, promoting the community, providing networking opportunities and political action.

It has become all too clear over the past few years that most government entities at every level in the state cannot sustain the retirement plans or pension commitments currently in place. Escalating personnel and retirement costs have fueled significant discussions on how to make changes.

“With pension reform emerging as a hot issue at both the local and state level, cities have been working collaboratively with stakeholders to identify solutions that address looming pension problems,” said Natasha Karl, lobbyist with the League of California Cities.

Karl will be joined by local experts at a panel discussion intended to give local businesspeople an opportunity to understand what efforts are underway at the state and local levels. Attendees will also have the opportunity to get their questions answered at the forum on Wednesday Oct. 26 at the City/County Library.

To learn more about this Legislative Coffee or to register please click here.

Stricter proposed California requirements for the city’s storm water runoff permit would negatively impact local businesses if they go into effect as they are.

A new storm water runoff permit, which could go into effect as early as next February, is currently under review by the State Water Resources Control Board. The draft regulations go far beyond what the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates and are estimated to add hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs to communities throughout the state.  The SLO Chamber recently joined the Statewide Stormwater Coalition (www.stormwatercosts.com), a collection of local governments, businesses and organizations throughout the state that are concerned about the potential impacts of a proposed permit. The Coalition is focused on achieving California’s clean water objectives in a balanced, practical and implementable manner.

The judgment orders Yamaha to pay a total of over $2,100,000 for compensatory and punitive damages, interest, and attorney fees and costs.

The claim against Yamaha began in the summer of 2008. Powerhouse Motorsports was then the California Central Coast’s largest motorcycle and ATV dealership, carrying product lines including Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki and KTM. Powerhouse, a franchisee of Yamaha, struggled financially in 2008 and in June of that year made the decision to close the dealership’s doors. While the business had ceased operations, the company retained value in inventory, lease
and goodwill, and was able to immediately strike a deal with MDK Motorsports to take over the dealership.

Mindbody, a cloud-based, business management software for health and wellness organizations worldwide, recently received $9 million more in investments from two leading venture capital firms, Bessemer Venture Partners and Catalyst Investors.

The two firms injected $14 million last August in the San Luis Obispo-based company; the most recent investment was double last year’s valuation. The company has seen 60 percent revenue growth year-over-year and continues to expand its employee base.

The company expects to grow to 320 local employees from 280 and expects to have 350 employees companywide by the end of 2011.

Does your business make efforts to reduce pollution, improve resource conservation and sustainability, or improve air and water quality? Then it may have what it takes to win a Green Award.

Up to six “green” businesses, organizations or individuals throughout San Luis Obispo County will once again be recognized by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce at the Fourth Annual 2011 Green Award luncheon.

Apply now for Green Awards, click here for application.

Nomination period ends October 1st, 2011.

California State Senator Sam Blakeslee, San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deborah Linden and San Luis Obispo Community Foundation Executive Director Barry VanderKelen all have something in common. They are three of more than 700 Leadership San Luis Obispo (LSLO) alumni.

Thirty six community leaders have the opportunity to join this inspirational group next year and stretch themselves by exploring San Luis Obispo County in a way that only participation in LSLO allows.

This unique program is now accepting applications for its 21st class. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the 10-month program brings participants out of their comfort zones and encourages productive dialogue on important and sometimes difficult issues affecting the community.

“Successful Leadership applicants are curious by nature and motivated to get involved in their community,” said Sandi Sigurdson, executive director of Leadership SLO. “We’re looking for folks who have a commitment to personal and professional growth, who are willing to view community issues from a broad perspective.”

San Luis Obispo visitors and locals can now find visitor information including restaurants and hotel accommodations any time of the day or night.  

A new, customized touch-screen kiosk is now accessible just outside of the Visitors Center and downstairs from the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. This user-friendly kiosk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and features listings for local restaurants and lodging as well as provides information about events and things to do in and around San Luis Obispo.

“With all of the good press San Luis Obispo has been getting lately, we realized it was important to provide visitors and tourists with tourism information even when the Visitors Center is closed,” said Lindsey Miller, the Chamber’s director of marketing. “So far, the kiosk has been a big hit with both locals and visitors.”