Insight Magazine Oct/Nov/Dec 2023

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

8 HOLIDAY PREP TIPS // PG 8-9

TOP 5 MISCONCEPTIONS // PG 14-15

MAYORS’ MESSAGES // PG 16-17

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE // PG 21

...

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CHAMBER STAFF Mark Creffield, President/CEO Ruby Clark, Director of Member Relations Jenny Flores, Special Events & Graphics Coordinator Luis Urgilés, Director of Workforce Development Chelsea Sullivan, Internal Services Coordinator

CONTENTS 3

Chairman’s Message

4

Board of Directors/Business Councils

5

Business Expo/Job Fair Photos

6

State of the Town Sponsor Thank You

7

State of the County Sponsor Thank You

8-9

8 Tips to Prep for the Holidays

10-11

Ribbon Cuttings

12

Kemper Campbell Ranch Sponsor Than You

14-15

Top 5 Chamber Misconceptions

16-17

Mayors’ Messages

19

Business Card Spotlight

21

Legislative Action Update

22-23

New Chamber Investors

25

HDRO Golf Sponsor Thank you

26

Chamber Calendar

27

Chairman’s Circle

Published by the Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce 15428 Civic Dr. #310, Victorville, CA 92392 Tel: (760) 245-6506 Fax: (760) 245-6505 e-mail: mark@ghdcc.com Visit us on-line at www.ghdcc.com MANUSCRIPTS: The editor welcomes articles for possible publication. The Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce assumes no responsibility for the care or return of any manuscripts. Articles are subject to editing and are included on an “as space permits” basis.

ADVERTISING: Advertising will be accepted from outside sources at the current member/non-member rates. The Chamber reserves the right to refuse any advertisement and/or sponsorship. The printing of an advertisement and/or content does not constitute or confer an endorsement of a product, business or service.

DISCLAIMER: All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in Insight Magazine.

The Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce accepts no responsibility for damages arising directly or as a consequence of the use or publication of inaccurate information. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own, and are not necessarily shared by Insight Magazine, its staff, the Greater High Desert Chamber or advertisers. Editorial content is intended as general information, and not as specific legal or financial advice; for such, readers are advised to consult professionals in the appropriate field. The Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce assumes no liability resulting from advertising contained in this publication.

Fall has finally arrived to the High Desert! With the cooler weather and the anticipation of the upcoming holidays and fall traditions, we invite you to enjoy this edition of the Insight Magazine to reflect on the happenings within our business community and the Chamber itself.

Your Greater High Desert Chambers of Commerce is here to support you and your business. One of the key aspects of this support is our steadfast commitment to legislative advocacy on behalf of businesses like yours. In a time when doing business in California is marked by unprecedented challenges and changes, your GHDCC remains dedicated to advocating for policies that foster a pro-business environment in the High Desert. Our staff and Legislative Action Committee work tirelessly to ensure that your voice is heard in local, state, and even federal government, promoting initiatives that enable your businesses to thrive and working to defeat those that will add unnecessary burdens. Through our advocacy, we aim to create a more favorable business climate, reducing regulatory burdens and promoting economic growth that benefits all. (Contact the Chamber Office if you are interested in joining the Legislative Action Committee.)

Beyond our advocacy efforts, your GHDCC provides numerous opportunities for you to network and engage with other community leaders. Are you regularly attending our monthly Valley Morning Insight (VMI) breakfasts and weekly Coffee Breaks? Have you attended a ribbon cutting to support a new High Desert business? Did you participate in the Annual Golf Tournament or the Members-Only Kemper Campbell Ranch Mixer? These are just some of the programs and events that the GHDCC offers to help you build connections that can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations. In today’s business world, it is connections that often open doors to new possibilities, and your GHDCC is here to facilitate those connections for you.

We firmly believe that your success is our success, and we are committed to providing you with the tools and contacts needed to thrive in the High Desert region. Whether you are one of long-standing members or a newer member, we welcome you to make the most of your chamber membership. Your Greater High Desert Chambers of Commerce is more than a run-of-themill chamber; it is a dynamic and ever-evolving community that thrives through the shared strength of its members.

It is an honor to serve as your Chair, and I encourage you to make the most of your membership by actively participating in the opportunities we offer. The connections you make, the advocacy we provide, and the fun you will have with other community leaders are all resources you can utilize to enhance your business’s potential and contribute to our growing High Desert.

Thank you for being an essential part of your GHDCC and the High Desert!

Dr. Lisa Lamb President/CEO, Lewis Center for Educational Research 2024-2024 Chair of the Board

insight magazine | 3

BUSINESS COUNCILS

ADELANTO

Executive Committee Matthew Carlos – Chair – Desert Community Bank

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2023 - 2024

Director Manny Serrano – Jet Room, Inc. Kristi Montes, Journey Foursquare Church Philip Montague, Amegatek Solutions, Inc.

Dr. Lisa Lamb – Chair of the Board -Lewis Center for Educational Research Shannon Shannon - Chair Elect - SaddleRock Reverse Mortgage Stacy DeVoll – Vice Chair – DeVoll Rubber Mfg. Group, Inc.

APPLE VALLEY

Mike Thrapp– Immediate Past Chair – ICR Staffing Services Inc.2

Executive Committee Lisa Kiplinger Kennedy – Chair – Boisset Collection Jessica Borzilleri – Secretary – Bellview Hospice Care, Inc. Dr. Kristi Mendoza - Treasurer - Optimum Audiology

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023 - 2024

Director Sabrina Schneider – Off the Grid Brewery Israel Regus, Solstice Senior Living at Apple Valley Tom Hoegerman, Grey Sage Custom Leather

Clinton Alford – Farmers Insurance-Clinton Alford Agency Casey Armstrong – Armstrong Fairway Insurance Agency, Inc. Gwen Bedics - Global Credit Union William Brady – PRMG, Inc. Jeff Dunagan – Mitsubishi Cement Corporation CJ Eversole – Pizza Factory of Apple Valley Martial Haprov - Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District Randi Hunt – A Better Way - Victor Valley Domestic Violence Aaron Korn – Pacific Refrigerator Company Arsalee Morales - Apple Valley Communications

HESPERIA Executive Committee James Needham – Chair – Affordable Technology, Inc. Zack Flaherty, Treasurer - PRMG, Inc. Director Joan Rudder-Ward, Image Maker Visual Communications

VICTORVILLE Executive Committee Laura Andre – Chair – The Mall of Victor Valley Chris Lamoreaux – Secretary – Coldwell Banker Home Source Directors Brian Hennebry, Providence St. Mary Medical Center Terry Saenz– ICR Staffing Services, Inc.

Sarina Muhammad - Goodwill Career Resource Center Dr. Kenisha L. Williams - TransFormNation Training & Development, LLC.

ATTENTION MEMBERS!

Follow us on our Tik Tok Account and see all the behind-the- scenes fun of the GHDCC!

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! #KeepingItRegional #CommunityIsOurBusiness insight magazine | 4

NOW HIRING? DO YOU NEED HELP FINDING QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES? THE GREATER HIGH DESERT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAN HELP! OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A STRONG WORKFORCE PLACEMENT PROGRAM IN OUR REGION.

WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH YOU, WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES OR EMPLOYMENT. CONTACT LUIS FOR YOUR HIRING NEEDS! (760) 244-2135 | LUIS@GHDCC.COM

HOSTED BY

OUR FIRST BUSINESS EXPO & JOB FAIR WAS A GREAT SUCCESS! THANK YOU TO OUR VENDORS AND VOLUNTEERS! insight magazine | 5

STATE OF THE TOWN

2023

THANK YOU

PRESENTED BY

SPONSORS BUSINESS SPONSORS

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ABD OFFICE SOLUTIONS GLOBAL CREDIT UNION EXCELSIOR CHARTER SCHOOLS HERITAGE VICTOR VALLEY MEDICAL GROUP MOUNTAIN DESERT CAREER PATHWAYS JPA (MDCP) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON THE AES CORPORATION THE LAW OFFICES OF CALDWELL, KENNEDY & PORTER

insight magazine | 7

8

TIPS TO PREPARE YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Wondering how to prepare your business for the holidays? The holiday season often brings the busiest time of the year for small businesses and increasing demands from the owners’ family and friends. By being well prepared, owners and their families increase their chances for a happy holiday season — and a happy and prosperous new year.

1. Track Inventory A lot of a business’s success this holiday season will depend on what it’s able to offer its customers when they want it. That starts with inventory. By looking at last year’s sales, owners can gauge the products that resonated best with customers — and what didn’t do as well. Remember, it can be just as bad to order too much of a product as it is to run out of product that’s in high demand. Having shelves stocked with inventory that’s not moving is a loss. If sales figures from last year don’t provide much help with purchasing inventory this year, put a plan in place to track sales this time around. This will not only help in the current holiday season, but also better prepare for planning in the year to come.

2. Minimize Back Office Work High volume sales and extended hours are likely to keep owners from managing the back end of their business in a timely manner. It’s the customer first, everything else later. Small businesses today should be taking advantage of the myriad technological advancements that ease the burden of handling tasks like accounting, billing, collecting customer data and presenting and automating business transactions. These technologies can quickly and easily provide small business owners with more time and flexibility to focus on growing and maintaining the business.”

3. Stay On Top of Sales and Expenses During this time of the year, things tend to move at a more frenetic pace, which can make it more difficult to stay up-to-the-minute on the daily business tasks. This also means spending more time than usual trying to reconcile checks and balances when you do finally get to it. This is where automation and technology become a small business owner’s best friends. It’s important that business owners have the proper tools in place to help support the ongoing needs of their business, since slowing down to tackle these is the last thing today’s small business owners have the time to do.

4. Develop a Marketing Strategy It’s important for businesses to stand out among the endless marketing gimmicks and promotions used to entice customers. Instead, small businesses should focus on offering holiday promotions specific to their products and services. Once owners have special loyalty offers in place, they need to figure out how to get them in front of potential customers Here are a few options: .

• Email marketing still proves to be the most effective with the highest conversion rate for owners with a robust email list.

• Social media is also an obvious first step. Initial promotion is free and there are paid options to promote products and services on these sites. Companies may also want to consider ad campaigns through major search engines like Bing and Google. And brick-and-mortar shops should consider offering local in-store promotions.

• Gather customer data to keep them aware of future promotions and offerings. Consider a promotion that offers a discount in exchange for an email address to build an email list and repeat customer base. insight magazine | 8

5. Prioritize Employee Well-being The holiday season doesn’t only affect business owners; it has a huge impact on employees too. It’s essential to ensure that your team remains motivated, well-rested, and appreciated. Consider offering flexible schedules, overtime bonuses, or organizing holiday parties. A happy and motivated team can deliver better customer service and cope with the seasonal demands more efficiently. Here are some ideas: • Flexible Working Hours: Understand that your employees might have personal commitments or family gather ings during the holidays. Offering flexible working hours or shifts can help them balance their work-life commi ments without affecting productivity.

• Holiday Bonuses or Incentives: An extra monetary bonus or incentive during the festive season can serve as a to ken of appreciation. This not only boosts morale but also motivates employees to give their best during the rush.

• Team Building Activities: Organize fun team-building activities or games during breaks. This can serve as a stress buster and can foster a sense of camaraderie among employees, ensuring a harmonious work environment.

• Relaxation Spaces: Set up a relaxation corner or lounge with comfy chairs, mood lighting, and soft music. This can serve as a mini-retreat for employees to take short breaks, relax, and rejuvenate.

• Professional Growth Workshops: Organize workshops or training sessions on stress management, time man agement, or even skill development. This not only aids in personal growth but also shows that the business cares about their holistic well-being.

6. Decorate and Create a Festive Ambiance Never underestimate the power of a festive environment. Customers are more likely to spend time and money in places that evoke the holiday spirit. Invest in some holiday decorations, play festive music, and consider special seasonal product displays. The ambiance can play a pivotal role in enhancing the customer’s shopping experience.

7. Plan Post-Holiday Sales The end of the holiday season doesn’t mean the end of shopping. Many customers are on the lookout for post-holiday deals and clearance sales. By planning these sales in advance, businesses can clear out leftover inventory and continue their revenue stream even after the main holiday rush. Remember, the key to navigating the holiday season successfully is a blend of preparation, adaptability, and a keen understanding of your customer’s needs and desires.

8. Maintain Momentum Preparation for the holiday season hopefully leads to less clean up after it ends. There should be no penny unaccounted for at the end of the season. Organization, proper tracking and planned strategies prepared in advance are important to a successful and fruitful holiday season.

TIP

DECRIPTIION

TRACK INVENTORY

Gauge products from prior year's sales; avoid excessive stock or depleting high-demand products; strategize for improved inventory management.

MINIMIZE BACK OFFICE WORK

Utilize technology for tasks like accounting, billing, and more.

STAY ON TOP OF SALES AND EXPENSES

Embrace automation to manage the busy holiday pace; adopt tools for instant transaction notifications and expense management.

DEVELOP A MARKETING STRATEGY

Concentrate on holiday-centric promotions; capitalize on email marketing, social media, and search engine advertisements; amass customer data for future outreach.

PRIORITIZE EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

Provide flexible work schedules and bonuses; host team-building activities and growth workshops; establish relaxation zones for breaks.

CREATE A FESTIVE AMBIANCE

Enhance the venue with festive decorations and melodies; enrich the consumer experience with holiday-themed product showcases.

PLAN POST HOLIDAY SALES

Strategize for post-holiday bargains; present an avenue to dispense with residual inventory and sustain revenue influx post the main holiday hustle.

MAINTAIN MOMEMTUM

Accentuate the significance of meticulous tracking and organization; highlight that foresight ensures a seamless conclusion to the holiday season.

AT A GLANCE

By Joshua Sophy in Small Business Operations Article courtesy of Small Business Trends https://smallbiztrends. com/2023/08/prepare-your-business-for-the-holidays.html insight magazine | 9

D.A.W.G Rehab

Derrick’s Hair Salon

DVH, Internal Medicine Residency Program

Edwards Jones - Angel Espino

insight magazine | 10

Global Credit Union

Assemblyman Juan Carrillo, 39th District

Panera Bread - Hesperia

Roundabout Grill

The Classy Dame - Personal & Professional Development & Epicure Consultant

Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain

Victor Valley Transit insight magazine | 11

Thank you sponsors THE CAMPBELL FAMILY

Life’s Essentials

insight magazine | 12

Lewis Center Educational Research

insight magazine | 13

Top 5 Chamber

Misconceptions 1. The Chamber is part of the government It has no affiliation with any government agencies or elected leaders. The Chamber may work closely with these groups, but it is not government funded and is not a government program.

2. The Chamber is a business county club or business fraternity They are both dues organizations, but the similarities end there.

Chamber membership is a great investment in your business. It‘s an organization that advocates for you and helps you grow professionally, in addition to being a great place to meet community-minded people. insight magazine | 14

3. The Chamber is all about the membership fees Some may think Chambers exist solely to collect membership fees. While dues contribute to funding activities, Chambers are committed to delivering value that surpasses the cost of membership through various services, programs, and benefits. They also advocate on behalf of the entire business community, whether the business is paything them to do so or not.

4. The Chamber is oldfashioned There is nothing oldfashioned about a successful economy.

Some people underestimate the influence of Chambers in shaping local policies and advocating for businessfriendly regulations.

Chambers leverage their collective voice to address issues that impact the business community‘s growth and success.

5. I‘ll join the Chamber, attend one breakfast meeting, and increase my business revenue exponentially in the time it takes me to drink a cup of coffee Joining a Chamber of Commerce doesn‘t always result in instant financial gains.

While netorking and exposure opportunities can lead to business growth, the benefits Chamber offer may have more long term impacts, such as improved community relations, professional growth, and industry knowledge.

WHAT DOES A CHAMBER DO? A Chamber of Commerce is a vibrant hub that brings the business community together. It‘s a membership organization composed of business professionals and entrepreneyrs who collaborate to boost the economic and civic well-bing of the community. Whether you‘re running a startup, leading a wellestablished enterpeise, or just stepping into the business world, your local Chamber is a partner in your success! insight magazine | 15

MAYORS’ MESSAGES MAYOR GABRIEL REYES - ADELANTO My fifth year of leadership in the City of Adelanto has been an incredible experience. I’m continually impressed by our team’s dedication to the community and each another.

Our administration has gone to great lengths to improve the lives of our citizens and expand services offered to our residents.

On the economic development front, Adelanto has continued to attract developers from across the globe. Presently, our City has 82 active building permits. One of our most exciting upcoming projects is the AES Silver Peak solar-plus-storage development. This project is adjacent to the AES Baldy Mesa facility, which generates enough clean energy to power over 15,000 homes!

MAYOR SCOTT NASSIF - APPLE VALLEY As the fall and winter seasons approach us, I am excited to share some updates and upcoming events happening in the Town of Apple Valley.

First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude for the overwhelming community support and engagement we received during our recent Listening Session at the donated AMC Theatre. It was great to see residents come forward and share their insights on how to make the most out of that space. Collaboration will be key in making this transformation successful and we are excited about what the future holds for the theatre.

Looking ahead, we have a calendar packed with fall and winter activities that you won’t want to miss! To stay updated on these events, I encourage you to visit Additionally, our staff is working hard to continually over- our website at applevalley.org. There, you’ll find detailed see a number of critical Capital Improvement Projects information from our Halloween Spooktacular to the (CIP). Our next major CIP is the Bartlett Avenue Rehabili- Annual Christmas Tea. There is something for everyone tation, extending from Adelanto Road to Lilac Road. This to enjoy. project is expected to break ground in October of this year.

The Town announced a few commercial developments coming to Apple Valley: Sprouts Farmers Market, Raising We’ve also been hosting our remarkably popular MovCane’s, Love’s Travel Stops and Cold Stone Creamery! ies in the Park events, attracting hundreds of residents The High Desert’s first ground-up Sprouts Farmers Marfrom the City of Adelanto and the surrounding neighket will be constructed on the south side of Bear Valley borhoods. The final screening of the year will be at the Road, east of Apple Valley Road. This shopping center Adelanto Stadium on October 30th and we’re expecting will include Raising Cane’s. A Love’s Travel Stops was apa huge turnout! These events are always free, and City proved at Stoddard Wells and will become Apple Valley’s staff will be on site to provide refreshments for our resi- first retail presence along Interstate 15. Cold Stone will dents at no charge. be located at the Apple Valley Commons and tenant improvements are underway. These commercial develThe Adelanto Animal Care and Control team continues opments are exciting additions to Apple Valley, and we to organize our City’s microchip and vaccination events look forward to new opportunities that come to town. for residents. The October 14th Animal Clinic will provide free microchips to citizens of Adelanto at City Hall! Our In response to increased traffic at Yucca Loma and ApCouncil is proud to offer this service, ensuring that more ple Valley Roads due to the Green Tree Bridge opening, lost pets are safely reunited with their owners. the Town is exploring traffic improvement measures.

New traffic counts and studies will be conducted after Finally, the City’s quarterly Community Clean Up event construction on the Bear Valley Bridge and a new gas is now including hazardous waste drop offs (at a sepstation at Yucca Loma Road to assess ongoing traffic arate location). This additional service has been highly impacts. The Town is now working on an interim project requested. Our Code Enforcement team has worked to widen Yucca Loma Road to 4 lanes from Apple Valley tirelessly to make this possible for our residents.

Road to Choco Road, contingent on securing funding, which will determine the project timeline.

Adelanto’s City Council, City staff, and residents will continue working together to improve our community.

As we prepare for the upcoming fall and winter seasons, we are grateful for the support and collaboration of our community, and we are excited about the upLearn more at ci.adelanto.ca.us coming events and new commercial developments that work towards our goal of creating a “Better Way of Life” for our residents and visitors.

insight magazine | 16

Learn more at applevalley.org.

MAYORS’ MESSAGES MAYOR BRIGET BENNINGTON - HESPERIA We’re excited to share that a variety of new restaurants are opening in the winter of this year, expanding dining options in Hesperia.

Rosa Maria’s, a destination restaurant in Southern California, chose Hesperia for its first location in the Mojave River Valley. The restaurant is located at the intersection of Bear Valley Road and Cypress Avenue.

Dairy Queen is returning to Hesperia after being gone for more than a decade. Their latest location is situated immediately adjacent to the new Rosa Maria’s.

Making its debut in Hesperia, Panera Bread features a drive-thru at their new location in the Aldi shopping center at Bear Valley Road and Mojave Fish Hatchery Road.

We’re excited to welcome these new dining establishments and are grateful for their tremendous investment in our City.

We’re equally grateful to our community members for their efforts to protect our local environment and Help Keep Hesperia Beautiful.

In the past year, we collected almost 160 tons of unwanted items and trash through various initiatives, including Neighborhood Beautification Day, Tire Amnesty Day, E-Waste Recycling, and Community Cleanup events.

In 2021, we launched our HEART Program, a mobile app aimed at tackling the issue of illegal dumping in Hesperia. The app allows users to easily report illegal dumpsites by providing pictures, details, and precise geolocations for quick response. In just two years, nearly fifteen hundred tons of trash and debris have been removed from our City thanks to the help of our residents who use this tool to report illegal dumping.

Serving as Hesperia’s Mayor is an honor. The City of Hesperia continues to thrive because of the support and contributions of our community.

MAYOR DEBRA JONES VICTORVILLE Earlier this month, we adopted our Strategic Plan that will guide the City of Victorville’s efforts during the next three years. This plan builds on the previous strategic plan we adopted in 2020. It outlines our goals and strategies for building an even stronger Victorville for the benefit of our residents and businesses.

Our priorities are financial sustainability, public safety, community and economic development, reduced homelessness, investment in our infrastructure, communications and outreach, and organizational effectiveness.

We outlined strategies to attain each of our goals, and the City Council identified the following four priorities for year one: evaluate underfunded Landscape Maintenance Assessment Districts to improve our ability to finance desired beautification projects; attract new businesses to the community and work to retain existing businesses; continue seeking funding to invest in expanding, improving and preserving our roadway system; and implement a city app to better respond to resident requests regarding code enforcement, public works, and other items.

Our Strategic Plan reaffirms our values and mission.

Our values? Excellent customer service, integrity, accountability, and transparency. Our continuing mission is to serve the community of Victorville through commitment, engagement, and transparency while providing the highest quality public services to residents and businesses.

Your input during the planning process was crucial. We are quite grateful for the thoughtful feedback we received on the community survey.

Working together, we will strengthen Victorville for generations to come. Our City leadership remains committed to continuing the meaningful work ahead.

I invite you to view the City of Victorville Strategic Plan 2023-2026 at VictorvilleCA.gov/strategicplan.

Learn more at cityofhesperia.us

Learn more at victorvilleca.gov

insight magazine | 17

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VICTORVILLE CONFERENCE CENTER // 7:30 A.M. PRESENTED BY

SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE! CONTACT THE CHAMBER TODAY!

NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS!

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS FOR YOUR REFERRALS! *Collision Auto Repair Specialist (C.A.R.S. Body Shop) – Carlos Sarmiento The Mall of Victor Valley – Laura Andre Option One Solar – James Whaley Liberty Utilities Apple Valley – Kaye Walraven Coldwell Banker Home Source – Purple Wendy Ramey YONNIK, LLC. – Nakia Wilson *Notary Public – Allison M. Slater Legal Shield Business Solutions - Terry Fitch Crown Photographic - Terry & Taylor Conlan Family Assistance Program - Vida Pazarin Apple Valley Communications, Inc. - Arsalee Morales Congressman Jay Obernolte | 23rd District - Corrine Mora *Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce - Jenny Flores

*THESE MEMBERS REFERRED MORE THAN ONE BUSINESS! insight magazine | 20

CALIFORNIA’S 2023 ENDOF-SESSION LEGISLATION: IMPACT ON BUSINESSES As the 2023 legislative session in California ends, a wave of new bills is making its way through the state’s legislative process. These bills encompass a broad spectrum of issues, and many will substantially impact businesses operating in the Golden State. Here are some key highlights of the end-of-session legislation and how it is poised to affect businesses:

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

California is known for its progressive stance on environmental issues, and this year's legislative session is no different. New bills focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging sustainable practices, and imposing stricter regulations on industries contributing to pollution.

Businesses will have to adapt by adopting more eco-friendly practices, which could entail investing in renewable energy sources, sustainable supply chains, and waste reduction strategies.

LABOR LAWS

Labor Laws: Employee rights and labor regulations continue to be a focal point of California's legislation. The proposed bills cover various aspects of employment, including wage increases, worker protections, and measures related to gig workers. These changes will impact labor costs and require businesses to adjust their employment practices and compensation structures.

HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY

Housing and Affordability: California's housing crisis has prompted legislative action to promote affordable housing development and tenant protections. While this directly affects the real estate sector, it indirectly impacts businesses by influencing the cost of living, which can affect recruitment and retention efforts.

TAXES AND ECONOMIC POLICIES

Taxes and Economic Policies: Proposed tax changes are always a concern for businesses. Legislative measures addressing taxes and economic stimulus programs will affect businesses' bottom lines and influence investment decisions.

HEALTHCARE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Healthcare and Employee Benefits: Bills concerning healthcare access, employee benefits, and healthcare costs are under consideration. These could impact businesses' healthcare expenses and the benefits they provide to employees. New legislation regarding public health measures, workplace safety, and vaccination mandates will continue to affect businesses' operations and policies.

California’s end-of-session legislation for 2023 continued to reflect the state’s progressive agenda and the importance of the Chamber of Commerce’s role in advocating for business. The Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce continues to be that voice for our region. We submitted dozens of letters, countless phone calls, and testimonies and worked closely with our elected officials to support the voice of business. We welcome our Chamber businesses to call us and let us know when bills that affect you and your industry are being introduced. We are here to help your voice be heard! insight magazine | 21

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Alianza Legal Services (909) 816-0472 PO Box 2473 Rialto, CA 92377 http://alianzalegalservice.weebly.com Legal Services

Chase Bank (760) 610-3887 12731 Main Street Hesperia, CA 92345 https://www.chase.com Bank

Aspire Counseling Services (760) 780-1237 12571 Hesperia Rd. Victorville, CA 92395 http://aspirecounselingservice.com Health & Wellness

Chase Bank (760) 610-3887 19311 Bear Valley Rd. Apple Valley, CA 92308 https://www.chase.com Bank

C & C Financial, Corp.

(714) 999-0976 14420 Civic Drive #7 Victorville, CA 92392 http://www.ccfinancialcorp.com Real Estate Loans- See Loans, Mortgage

Church of the Valley (760) 247-6494 20700 Standing Rock Rd. Apple Valley, CA 92307 http://churchofthevalley.net Church

Cactus Moon (909) 541-3852 Hesperia, CA 92345 http://www.cactusmoonreiki.com Health & Wellness

Constructive HR Solutions (909) 850-2331 Victorville, CA 92392 constructivehrs@gmail.com Consultants- Small Business

insight magazine | 22

D.A.W.G. Rehab (909) 900- 7069 15800 Main St., Ste 270 Hesperia, CA 92345 http://dawgrehab.com Pets & Veterinary Dads Casino Party (951) 454-0134 Hesperia, CA 92345 http://www.DADsCasinoParty.com Party Rentals Dhindsa Group of Companies (909) 241-7464 16876 Live Oak St. Hesperia, CA 92345 http://dgcinc.net Transportation EM Bookkeeping & Tax Service (714) 801-5982 1521 Dunswell Ave Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 http://www.embookkeepingtaxservice.com Accountants FITFAMHD (760) 220-7367 22390 Eyota Rd. Suite A/B Apple Valley, CA 92308 http://www.fitfamhd.org Fitness Center Focus Interpreting (800) 374-5444 14450 Park Ave., Ste 100 Victorville, CA 92392 https://focusinterpreting.com Interpreting & Translation Get Noticed Promos (760) 916-0714 9013 SVL Victorville, CA 92395 http://www.getnoticedpromos.com Advertising Services High Desert Sports Foundation (760) 514-7009 16519 Victor St., Suite 401 Victorville, CA 92395 http://hdsportsfoundation.org Nonprofit/ Community Organizations

NEW CHAMBER INVESTORS Major Works Studios (760) 652-3030 14327 Amargosa Rd., Ste. 100 Victorville, CA 92392 http://majorworksstudio.com Podcasts/Greenscreen/Recording & Photography Room Meyer Manor Winery and Vineyards (760) 515-2820 15485 Barker Rd. Apple Valley, CA 92307 https://www.meyerwine.com Winery Moses House Ministries (760) 955-1895 14281 7th Street Victorville, CA 92395 http://moseshouse.org Nonprofit/ Community Organizations Ochoa’s Mobile Notary Services (760) 269-9001 Victorville, CA 92392 ochoanotary23@gmail.com Notary Olympic Flame Burgers (951) 258-8607 16304 Main St. Hesperia, CA 92345 Restaurants Omega XI Humanitarian Corp.

(818) 515-7600 17499 Adelanto Rd., c/o Jet Room, INC. Adelanto, CA 92301 http://WWW.OMEGAXI.ORG Medical Panera Bread (442) 224-5798 18663 Bear Valley Rd. Hesperia, CA 92345 http://panerabread.com Restaurants Patterson Print Shop (760) 488-8100 11610 I Ave. Hesperia, CA 92345 http://pattersonprintshop.com Printing & Advertising Services

PHP Integrity (Team Legends) (626) 494-6945 Victorville, CA 92392 http://phpagency.com Insurance & Financial Services Pinnacle Elite (760) 780-9567 Apple Valley, CA 92307 http://agents.worldfinancialgroup.com/ james-yslas Financial & Investment Services PRMG | Tayloryourlender.com (615) 339-3520 Apple Valley, CA 92308 http://Tayloryourlender.com Mortgage Banking Rawfa Productions (760) 810-8054 15625 7th St. Victorville, CA 92395 http://www.rawfaproductions.com Videography

Visiting Angels (760) 596-1144 15437 Anacapa Rd., Ste A Victorville, CA 92392 http://www.visitingangels.com Senior Living/ Senior Care YONNIK LLC. (760) 470-8329 16519 Victor St., Ste 401 Victorville, CA 92395 http://yonnik.com Social Services

DO YOU HAVE YOUR CHAMBER PLAQUE? IF NOT, PICK YOURS UP AT THE NEXT VMI TO PROUDLY DISPLAY IN YOUR BUSINESS!

Roundabout Grill (760) 881-3460 12670 Hesperia Rd. Victorville, CA 92395 http://roundabout-grill.com Restaurants Rub A Pup Scrub (760) 991-7752 20915 Bear Valley Rd., Unit A Apple Valley, CA 92308 http://Rubapup-scrub.com Pet Care Shourai Barbeque LLC. (760) 953-3537 High Desert, CA http://shouraibbq.com Catering Victorville Grocery Outlet (951) 536-4179 12220 Hesperia Rd. Victorville, CA 92395 www.groceryoutlet.com Grocery Stores

insight magazine | 23

ORGANICS RECYCLING IS MANDATORY* For ALL Victor ville Businesses ...

Regardless of Size, Type, or Trash Ser vice Level.

Per CA State Law SB 1383, as of January 1, 2022: ALL California businesses and ALL multi-family businesses are required to divert their organic waste such as food scraps, garden trimmings, and wood waste from the landfill.

Let us help you maximize your organics diversion program.

FREE help for Victorville Businesses!

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Now conducting ORGANICS and RECYCLING reviews to help you maximize your diversion program & minimize costs.

✓

Posters, fliers, labels, and signs.

✓

Recycling advice and training for your employees.

*Some businesses may qualify for a waiver. Call for more information.

insight magazine | 24

City of Victorville Business Recycling Program VictorvilleCA.gov/Recycle

Call us to get started!

760-955-8615

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THANK YOU SPONSORS

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CHAMBER CALENDAR

OCTOBER 4

Valley Morning Insight - Reservations Required Victorville Conference Center 7:30am

6

Coffee Break Update - Reservations Required Via Zoom 9:00am Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Assemblyman Tom Lackey’s Apple Valley Office 1:00pm

Peoples Day 9 Indigenous GHDCC Offices Closed Cmte. Meeting - Closed Group 10 Ambassador GHDCC - AV Office 12:00pm

Break 13 Coffee Percy Bakker Community Center 7:00am

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

1

Valley Morning Insight - Reservations Required Victorville Conference Center 7:30am

1

Coffee Break Percy Bakker Community Center 7:00am

2

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening - Rawfa Productions 3:00pm

6

10th Annual Accolade Awards at Valley Morning Insight - Reservations Required Victorville Conference Center 7:30am

3

Coffee Break Update - Reservations Required Via Zoom 9:00am

8

Coffee Break Update - Rerservations Required Via Zoom 9:00am

12

Ambassador Cmte. Meeting - Closed Group GHDCC - AV Office 12:00pm

15

Coffee Break Percy Bakker Community Center 7:00am

Ribbon Cutting - G T Hotels 12:00pm

7

State of the City - City of Hesperia Reservations Required 11:30am

10

Veterans Day - No Coffee Break & GHDCC Offices Closed

Resource & Job Fair 14 Veteran’s Victor Valley College

14

Ambassador Cmte. Meeting - Closed Group GHDCC - AV Office 12:00pm

Cutting & Grand Opening - Chase Bank 17 Ribbon 12:00pm

16

Ribbon Cutting & 10 Year Anniversary Cross Eyed Cow Pizza 2:00pm

10:00am

19

Legislative Action Committee Via Zoom 9:00am Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening - Olympic Flame Burgers 11:30am

Legislative Action Committee Via Zoom 9:00am

Holiday 23- Thanksgiving GHDCC Offices Closed 24

21 25Jan 1

Legislative Action Committee Via Zoom 9:00am Christmas/New Year Holiday GHDCC Offices Closed

Break 20 Coffee Percy Bakker Community Center 7:00am

High Desert Education Summit (HDES) Victor Valley College 7:30am 30 Yr Anniversary Celebration - Victor Valley Transit 10:00am Cutting & Grand Opening - Rub A Pup 21 Ribbon Scrub 2:00pm

26

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening - Aspire Counseling Services 12:00pm

27

Coffee Break Percy Bakker Community Center 7:00am Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening - C & C Financial, Corp.

12:00pm

insight magazine | 26

Shopping HD matters because it: • Strengthens our local economy • Supports local jobs • Celebrates the uniqueness of our community • Invests in entrepreneurship and the future • Puts our taxes to good use & many more reasons!

2023 - 2024 PLATINUM MEMBERS

GOLD MEMBERS

ABD Office Solutions Global Credit Union Apple Valley Communications Kaiser Permanente Apple Valley Transfer & Storage, Inc./ PRMG, Inc. Shred Your Docs SaddleRock Reverse Mortgage Armstrong Fairway Insurance Agency, Inc. Southwest Gas Corporation City of Victorville / SCLA The Law Offices of Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter Excelsior Charter Schools SILVER MEMBERS

Amazon Bluestar Properties, Inc. Coldwell Banker Home Source Cornerstone Development Company Hesperia Recreation & Park District Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Mojave Printing Solutions

Option One Solar Options For Youth Southern California Edison STEENO Design Studio, Inc. Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain TransFormNation Training & Development, LLC. YONNIK, LLC.

TO BECOME A CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE MEMBER CONTACT RUBY CLARK (760) 242-2753 | ruby@ghdcc.com insight magazine | 27

15428 Civic Dr. #310, Victorville, CA 92392

There are certain people you can always depend on.

Your lawyer should be one of them.

Depend on the professionals.

Depend on THE LAW OFFICES OF

15476 W. Sand St. Victorville, California Phone (760) 245-1637 Fax (760) 245-1301 Email CKP@cklaw.net

Terry E. Caldwell • Jeanne Kennedy Kevin Porter