MEMBER NEWS

• The City of Bakersfield has entered into a contractual agreement with Fresno Community Development Financial Institution, DBA Access Plus Capital a California nonprofit, publicbenefit corporation (SUBRECIPIENT) to administer a loan to grant program ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. The loan to grant program is available to for-profit small businesses impacted by COVID-19, physically located and operating in the City of Bakersfield. The loan fund available for this program is $1,900,000. Applications will be accepted for calendar period from March 15, 2021 through November 30, 2021 or until loan funds are fully deployed. Applications must be submitted online at

www.accesspluscapital.com

• Now accepting artist applications for BMoA's Visual Arts Festival. This biannual juried exhibition of small works has been a BMoA tradition since 1989. This year's theme: Self / Society. Requirements: Open to artists age 18+, Artist must live in California, Application fee: $40 application for members / $50 for nonmembers, Application deadline is April 1, 2021., Due to the pandemic, this years VAF will be an online exhibition. Visit bmoa.org/visual-artsfestival for more information and to apply. • Our iconic property was originally built in 1952, at a time when our dining room sung with live piano music, our bar bustled with games and activity, and our pool was enjoyed by travelers soaking in the desert sun. At Cuyama Buckhorn, we are bringing these glory days back with a new glistening pool to splash into, a jacuzzi to warm up in on cool desert nights, and a sauna to take in our stunning sunsets! Come and discover The Hidden Valley of Enchantment of our resort retreat!

https://www.cuyamabuckhorn.com/ stay

• COVID-19’s impacts on the economy have been widely reported. But there are still many who are eligible for Medi-Cal that need guidance. A generous grant from Health Net’s 2021 Community & Infrastructure Investment Program will ensure that our community partners can work on getting more individuals and families that are eligible for Medi-Cal signed up, as we continue to bridge the gap and pave the way for better access to health care for all Californians. Learn more: https://www.healthnet.

com/content/healthnet/en_us/newscenter/news-releases/2021-02-15community-organizations-receive-

new-funding-to-help-californians.html. • Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) offered energy savings tips and tools to help customers save money on their utility bills. During cold weather, like we’ve experienced over the last several weeks, it is possible to use three to seven times more natural gas than in summer months as your home heater responds to your thermostat settings and your water heater works harder to keep water hot. SoCalGas works to secure the best prices for the natural gas it supplies to customers. The cost customers pay for natural gas is what the utility pays. The utility also offers customer assistance programs that help people with bill discounts and provide free home improvements that help conserve energy and save money. To learn more about SoCalGas' energy-saving programs and services or for more information on how to more efficiently manage natural gas usage and possibly reduce monthly natural gas bills, customers with questions about their winter bill can go to socalgas.com or call 800-427-2200. • The Guild House is now offering limited outdoor seating. They will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Menus can be viewed at www.guildhousebakersfield.org. • League of Dreams is having an in-person gala on Saturday, March 20! The event will be at the Salty's BBQ Event Center located at 6720 Schirra Ct. They are taking precautions, limiting the amount of tickets and spacing tables farther apart. They want to make sure that when they are able, they can get their athletes back on the field and to do so, they will fundraise! For those who cannot attend, the silent auction will go live online one week prior, so you still have a great chance to support League of Dreams and win some fun items! Some sponsorships are still available and event tickets are first-come, first-serve. Don't wait! Get your tickets now! For more information, visit https://www.ourleagueofdreams. com/events.php. • The Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference decided to move their 2021 conference to a fully online, virtual experience that will take place on Monday, April 26 through Thursday, April 29. They are excited that a virtual event makes it possible to broaden not only our learning and engagement opportunities, but the audience beyond Bakersfield as well. Attendees will have access to more conference sessions than ever before! In addition to their celebrity keynote speakers, attendees can now partake in as many BWBC workshops as they’d like (30+ options!) with early access starting Monday, April 26. Ticket registration is now open: http://bakersfieldwomen.org/.

Welcome New Chamber Members

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the companies that have joined the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. Thank you for investing in our mission to Build a Better Bakersfield.

Noel Alexandria Foundation

8200 Stockdale Hwy., Ste. M10-344 Bakersfield, CA 93311 661-379-7162

www.noelalexandriafoundation.org

"We are a nonprofit organization serving Kern County to raise awareness and provide free educational, emotional and financial support to families affected by pregnancy and infant loss."

Potential Recycling Bakersfield

414 Yampa St. Bakersfield, CA 93307 661-448-8808 "We are a full-service recycling company serving recycling centers, waste haulers and businesses in Bakersfield and Kern County. We are a State of CA certified processor for CRV materials and provide top pricing and service."

For more information about joining the Chamber, please contact Cathy Albyn at calbyn@bakochamber.com.

REQUEST YOUR Stay Open Signage

The City and the Chamber have come together to provide COVID-related signage for Chamber members and other businesses and organizations in Bakersfield. We have created a couple of vinyl window clings. One of the window clings encourages customers to wear a mask or face covering when entering a business. The second promotes social distancing. We offer them in both English and Spanish.

Use this link to order your FREE signage: https://bakochamber.com/stayopensigns/

Renewing Members

Thank you to our members who have reinvested in the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. Your continued investment helps the Chamber continue its mission to Build a Better Bakersfield.

8minutenergy Renewables, LLC

– 2013 Bakersfield City School District – 1979 Bakersfield High School – 1998 Bank of America – 1920

Bank of the Sierra - California Ave.

– 2017 Baymarr Constructors, Inc. – 1997 Bella – 2000

Benji's French Basque Restaurant,

Inc. – 1992 California MENTOR – 2002 California Water Service – 1943 Cannon Corporation – 2004 Castle & Cooke California, Inc. – 1988 Chosen Payments – 2016

Clean Harbors Buttonwillow LLC

– 1990 Core Chiropractic + Wellness – 2018 Dewar's Candy Shop, Inc. – 1994

Dignity Health Management Services

– 1993 Eagle Mountain Casino – 2004 El Pollo Loco - California Ave. – 2015 Employers Depot, Inc. – 2014 Granite Construction – 1977 Greg's Petroleum Service – 2018 Health Net, LLC – 2019 Kisco Sales, Inc. – 1974 M & S Security Services, Inc. – 2011 Outlets at Tejon – 2014 Project Clean Air, Inc. – 2017

R & S Erection of Tri-County Inc.

– 2018 Rival Technology Inc. – 2018 Southern California Edison – 2012 Southwest Contractors – 1993

State Farm - Keith Stonebraker

Insurance Agency, Inc. – 2004 Tejon Ranch Company – 1956 The Links at Riverlakes Ranch – 2005

Tolman & Wiker Insurance Services,

LLC – 2000 Walker-Lewis Rents – 1988 Westec – 2011

Whitley Enterprises DBA Edible

Arrangements – 2008 Young Wooldridge LLP – 1993

Youth 2 Leaders Education

Foundation – 2018

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

Advertising in Metro and email blasts – it’s an exclusivity that only Chamber members enjoy. Regardless of your budget or needs, the Chamber offers competitive pricing to help you determine which advertising option works best for your company.

MEMBER TO MEMBER EMAIL BLASTS

Member to Member email blasts are paid advertisements that the Chamber sends out on behalf of our members. With a reach of more than 4,500 email contacts, it’s the perfect option to promote your brand.

METRO

A staple of news and informative for members, METRO is sent out monthly to more than 5,800 email contacts. This digital publication features Chamber programming and events as well as regulatory changes that can impact our members' bottom lines. All advertisements will link back to a your company's website. For more information, contact Jean Scheiber at jscheiber@bakochamber.com.

MARCH 2021

3.12.21

GRC Meeting 10 a.m. | Zoom

3.18.21

BYP Happy Hour 5:30 p.m. | Zoom

3.23.21

Ambassador Committee Noon | Zoom

3.24.21

BYP Tax Preparation Webinar 3 p.m. | Zoom

3.25.21

Happy Hour with the Chamber 5:30 p.m. | Zoom

3.26.21

GRC Meeting 10 a.m. | Zoom

3.31.21

Rebuild & Renew Webinar 8:30 a.m. | Zoom

For more information about any of our events, committees or councils, visit bakochamber.com.

2021 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman of the Board Derek Jeffery KGET-TV 17

Chairwoman Elect of the Board Kristen Beall Watson Kern Community Foundation

Vice Chair Public Policy & Political Action Rob Duchow Southern California Gas Company

Vice Chair Economic Vitality Andy Anderson Aera Energy LLC

Vice Chair Member Engagement Tasha Clayton Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc.

Vice Chair Leadership & Workforce Development Denise Newton Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Member-at-Large Rick Jhaj Countryside Construction/ Countryside Markets

General Counsel Mark Bateman Young Wooldridge LLP Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) is a support system for Kern County’s 47 school districts. It provides various programs, fiscal accountability, approval of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), formulation of new curricula, staff development and training programs, direct instruction to Kern’s most vulnerable students, and collaboration with community partners for the benefit of local young people.

MAJOR INVESTORS

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE MEMBERS

BYNUM

INC.

CHAMBER STAFF

Nick Ortiz | President/CEO

Cathy Albyn | Membership & Business Development Manager

Frances Klingenberger | Manager, Strategic Programs

Hillary Haenes | Vice President, Member Engagement

Kaelyn Peterson | Manager, Policy & Public Affairs

Jean Scheiber | Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer

EVERYTHING FOR YOUR OFFICE

GET SOCIAL

Stay engaged and connected with what's happening at the Chamber by following us on these social media platforms.