Hispanic Enterprise - December 2007/January 2008 - (Page 62) REGIONAL REPORT SAN DIEGO OPEN FOR BUSINESS By Millie Acebal Rousseau f longevity is an indicator of an organization’s success, then the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce would be an excellent case study. Around for more than a century, the chamber was the vision of Alonzo Horton who in 1870, along with other business pioneers, set out to bring railroads to the area, stimulate commerce and establish communities. Back then, ensuring the town had fresh water was on the top of the chamber’s “to do” list. Fast forward nearly 140 years. Today, the chamber, which has more than 3,000 members, focuses on building a stronger business community through improved opportunities within San Diego County and business outreach to Mexico, especially right on the border in Tijuana. Standard objectives for a chamber of commerce, perhaps. But the chamber’s long tradition of leadership and advocacy has also put it front and center in dealing with the unexpected challenges from the recent devastating wildfires that swept though the area, destroying homes and businesses. 62 I Preliminary figures estimated that more than 100 businesses were lost, according to Robert Horsman, the chamber’s chairman of the board. The chamber immediately set to work coordinating government agencies like the SBA to assess how those businesses could receive assistance. “The focus was on San Diego businesses, and helping them navigate through the process as quickly and as efficiently as possible,” says Horsman. That included bringing in the same consulting group that helped assess the business climate after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. The chamber also co-hosted a National Wildfire Disaster Response Conference Call with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, FEMA, the American Red Cross and the Department of Homeland Security—all in an effort to provide aid the affected businesses. At the helm has been chamber President and chief executive Ruben Barrales, who took office in January 2007. Barrales‘ previous job was in the White House, where he spent five years as President George W. Bush’s deputy assistant, a role that required he act as the president’s liaison to state and local government. It prepared him well for the leadership position with the chamber, which maintains a much wider view than just the immediate recovery efforts. Longterm, a solid business community is a better business community for all—and that is where Barrales is investing his expertise and experience. Working in the White House “gave me a better understanding of how the region and chamber need to be more aggressive working with D.C. as well as Mexico, so we can be heard in the capitol of both nations,” Barrales says. Barrales says some chamber members go to Mexico and Washington, D.C. annually to talk about priorities, which include more efficient border crossings to ensure safe and efficient trade, and transportation infrastructure issues. The chamber’s Mexico Business Center is charged with promoting trade—products and services—between San Diego County and Mexico. “It’s the most effective tool we have in assisting businesses; it gives us more strength in that community,” agrees Horsman, the board chairman. Border restrictions since 9/11 have hampered businesses, and the chamber is December/January 2008 HISPANIC ENTERPRISE
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.