We’ve created a monster, a real problem and to some it’s as big an issue as the lock down has been. People are comfortable and have lost their interest in going back to work. And why should they? No pressure to pay the rent and with their EDD benefits combined with the Fed’s additional pandemic “bonus” aren’t feeling the pressure to go back to work. Plus, many are strapped with finding suitable day care so they can go back to work. It’s a multi-layered problem.
Wages are going to have to go up in order to match the challenges employers are facing in getting fully staffed. This will inevitably lead to these higher costs being passed on to the consumer.
Can anyone remember the 70’s when inflation took interest rates to double digits? We’ve cruised along at historically low interest rates in concert with high returns in the stock market plus an infusion of cash by the Feds during the lockdown. This has kept the economy afloat. We’re poised for a robust reopening if employers can find employees to meet the demand.
The Chamber is holding a series of Job Fairs beginning tomorrow the 27th here in our parking lot to help. We’ll bring together a bevy of employers from throughout our region and match them up with people who are looking to get to work or make a change in their career. And, we’re going to make it a fun event with food vendors and drawings for prizes. We’ll have employers with jobs to fill and if you’re looking for a job or interested in making a career change we highly encourage you to attend between 9a-3p tomorrow.
More info can be found at here.
Congratulations to Wehay Quisquis and his team at the San Pascal Economic Development Corporation with their opening of the Pit Stop Market and Horizon Fuel Center in Valley Center. This is not your typical gas station. It’s a one-stop shop for any of us traveling to Valley Center, visiting the rich and growing wine country or the desert. Wehay who serves as the CEO of the SPEDC and also is the first representative of the Kumeyaay tribe to serve on the Board of Director’s here at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce in our more than 125 year history.
As we count down to a fully reopened California on June 15th we’re all tasked with waking up to some realities. The Chamber feels one important and very relevant issue facing our area is the upcoming redistricting of our elected officials physical area of representation. Our Economic Development Committee has begun to bring this important issue to the forefront. Last month we had a representative of the Redistricting Commission share with us the process from a national perspective and this month we’ll have representatives from both the County and City of Escondido redistricting committee presenting. The Chamber’s EDC meets the second Thursday of each month at Noon.
Our Government Affairs Committee is focusing on Sacramento and pending legislation going through the judiciary process right now which could have big impact here. Stay tuned as we bring these forward in our upcoming monthly meetings. The Chamber’s GAC meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 4pm.
And, a huge thank you to Dr. Luis Rankins-Ibarra for his steadied leadership in guiding our Education Committee during this pandemic. His thoughtful and relevant guidance has been a great resource to this important group. The Chamber’s Education Committee meets on the second Monday of each month at noon.
More info on all of our Committee monthly meetings can be found
here.
This pandemic has changed us all. Families have been disrupted, love ones lost and our sense of normal forever changed. Let’s not forget what we’ve gone through but, let’s also not be afraid to pick up the pieces and move forward. Support local businesses every chance you have. Let’s embrace the future, support each other, and grow and build a better business community united in helping each other.
Cheers,
James Rowten (JR)
