Azari: Completion Counts Update
Leadership Riverside Applications Due July 8
Early Bird Registration for Golf Tournament
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J u l y 2 013
‘The Chamber…building a stronger local economy’
Volume 32, Number 7
Chamber Members Count!
The Chamber is partnering with various groups in an effort to revive passenger traffic to Ontario International Airport. What are the two most important determining factors when you are choosing a regional airport? Distance from your home to the airport..... 61.2% Cost of flights.............. 58.7% Flight availability......... 52.5% ase of access to E airport terminals, i.e. traffic, parking....... 22.5% Supporting your regional local airport ..... 4.3% Loyalty/preference to a particular airline..... 2.5% Each month, the Chamber helps build a stronger local economy through surveying its membership.
GRB Inside Highlights Chair’s Column.......................... 2 Governmental Affairs.............. 3 New Members............................ 9 Calendar..................................... 11
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School of Medicine to Receive Continuous Funding from State Governor Brown approves $15 million for the University of California, Riverside After many years of advocacy and support from the Chamber and other local entities, the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine will receive a full $15 million in funding from the state. Unlike previous proposals, the state budget will allocate full and continuous funding for the school. The Chamber has advocated for a school of medicine at UCR since 2008. “This has been a journey of miles, not inches and to see this project’s completion is exhilarating,” stated Cindy Roth, Chamber president/ CEO. “We all look forward to the economic and community benefits that will be received from the UCR School of Medicine.” Most recently, the Chamber and more than 200 business leaders engaged in the state budget conversation by sending letters of advocacy to state legislators urging them to support funding for the school of medicine. UC Riverside Interim Chancellor Jane Close Conoley said, “The establishment of the medical school has been the vision of many on our campus and in our community for many years. The leadership of Assemblymember Jose Medina and Senator Richard D. Roth has been critical to fully funding the UC Riverside School of Medicine. Today is
State Assemblymember Jose Medina and State Senator Richard Roth have been instrumental in securing continuous funding for the UCR School of Medicine.
an important milestone for the health of our region and the future of UC Riverside.” The funding for the school was routed through the state’s budget process due to the assistance of three state legislators; the Chamber commends the partnership of State Assemblymembers Jose Medina and Eric Linder and State Senator Richard Roth. With funding already in place due to local support and Chamber advocacy, the school See UCR on page 10
Chamber Applauds Measure A Victory to Preserve Essential City Services The ballot measure passed with 67% of the vote will preserve the necessary funding to make the community a location of choice for residents and businesses.
With nearly a majority of voters in approval, Measure A was passed to allow the transfer of a fixed 11.5 percent of the revenue from the Riverside Water Utility Fund to the City’s General Fund. The Chamber joined a broad coalition of local entities to support and celebrate the measure’s passage. Chamber President/CEO Cindy Roth stated, “We owe our thanks to the voters and many community leaders in Riverside who came out in support of Measure A. Their decisions during the election ensure that we will have the services that make this community a great place for local business.” The funding received from the transfer is allocated through the General Fund to a wide array of programs that enhance quality of life in the City and allow Riverside to
The Chamber celebrates the passage of Ballot Measure A which ensures the continuation of many quality of life programs in the City.
continue as a location of choice for business. Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey said, “This outcome preserves many services that our residents enjoy, like swimming programs and the ‘311’ call center. We are grateful for the show of support from the community for these city services.” Prior to the election, City Manager Scott Barber outlined several items that would See Measure A on page 8
Business Leaders Concerned by Ontario Airport Decline
Regional stakeholders stress that returning the airport to local control will restore activity and provide numerous benefits to the region As a central and prominent regional airport in Inland Southern California, Ontario International Airport (ONT) is a major logistics hub, large employer, and convenient travel point for local residents. However, the airport has found it very difficult to live up to its potential in recent years, prompting many regional entities, including the Chamber, to call for a reassessment of its management authority. “Our primary focus is on reviving passenger traffic to the Ontario International Airport. This is an important asset in our region and it needs to be utilized,” said Judy Carpenter, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The number of flights available at ONT has dropped 40% since August 2007 and the airport has seen travel drop by a third over the past four years, to less than 5 million passengers annually - a level last seen in 1988. Despite the decrease in flights and passengers, fares for the flights remain at prices higher than other Southern California airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). See Ontario on page 10