Source:  San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce

December 24, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon community of volunteers will once again select its Citizen of the Year from among the many that donate time and talent for the betterment of El Cajon.  Nominations will be made by volunteer organizations based or active in El Cajon and by the public at large. 

By Mike Allen

Photo: Workers at GKN opening ceremony

December 18, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The site that was once planned as an Amazon warehouse is taking shape to house some of the most sophisticated machinery in the world, as well as the skilled workers to run it.

Just across the street from Gillespie Field at the confluence of Cuyamaca Street and Weld Avenue is the new home for GKN Aerospace, a top tier aircraft components supplier and refurbisher of engines for such customers as Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, General Electric and Boeing.

GKN has been operating in El Cajon for more than 70 years, but its two segments, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and Repair Solutions, have been growing at such a nice clip, soit needed added room.

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2024 (El Cajon) – San Diego Port Commissioners have named Scott Chadwick to serve as the new CEO of the San Diego Port Authority, starting in January. Born and raised in El Cajon,  Chadwick graduated from Valhalla High School and Grossmont College, later obtaining a B.A. in political science from Purdue University. 

Currently he is the city manager for Carlsbad and previously served as the City of San Diego’s chief operating officer, human resources director and labor relations director. Prior to his 20 years of city government intelligence, he served as a U.S. Army intelligence analyst and also worked for AFSCME, a labor union representing state county and municipal employees.

Public service runs in the family.  Chadwick’s mother, Gloria Chadwick, is an elected member of the Grossmont Healthcare District’s board of directors  in district 4.

In an interview with San Diego Business Journal, Scott Chadwick stated, ”As a leader I have always been focusing on continuous improvement and customer service.” He said he is “thrilled” at the opportunity to “serve all who live, work, and play on and around the beautiful and vibrant San Diego Bay waterfront. It is an exciting time at the Port of San Diego."

East County News Service

October 27,2024 (San Diego's East County) --The East County Regional Chamber of Commerce has several events coming up including First Friday breakfasts, business after hours mixers, coffee connect, a veterans’ awards luncheon, and holiday mixers.

Go to https://business.eastcountychamber.org/events/calendarcatgid/Chamber-Events-6 to see all upcoming events and to register. Below are links for details on the individual events.

By Mike Allen

September 24, 2024 (Santee) -- The never-ending churn of new retailers continues in Santee, a city where national and regional chains apparently see plenty of opportunity.

Among the new eateries expected to open before the end of this year is The Stand, a Los Angeles-based specialty burger joint. It’s planned to take over the former U.S. Bank site in the Sprouts-anchored shopping center at 9355 Mission Gorge Road.

Update September 19, 2024 -- The stock market closed at all time highs across the board today, in response to yesterday's interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped over 500 points today, closing above 42,000 points for the first time in American history. The S&P 500 also closed at a record high, closing at 5713.64, the most ever.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2024 (Washington D.C.)  -- In good news for homebuyers and other borrowers, the Federal Reserve today lowered interest rates by a full half percentage point.  It’s the first interest rate reduction since 2020 and more than the quarter point reduction that most market analysts had predicted. That brings rates down to between 4.75% and 5.25%, Forbes reports.

Moreover, Fed staff forecasts another cut in November or December, and potentially more cuts in 2025.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said of the economy,  “You see growth at a solid rate. You see inflation coming down. You see a labor market that’s still at very solid levels,” adding that he does not anticipate any recessionary effects from the lower Fed rates.

The Fed controls the federal funds rates (interest charged on cash reserve transactions between banks). But the central bank’s rate decisions typically spur lenders to lower rates, which could impact everything from car loans to credit card rates and student loan interest.

East County News Service

September 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will host “Politics in Paradise” on Friday, Sept.20 from  5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego.

Candidates are invited to sign up and participate. Candidates can share their platform and discuss topics with both Chamber members and guests, give a one-minute speech,invite attendees to engage one-on-one questions and answers, bring a table with campaign materials, and solicit fundraising. Candidates must complete this candidate form.

The public is invited to attend and learn more about the people running for local offices seeking to represent East County residents.

By Shiloh Ireland

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August 1, 2024-- East County Magazine met Trader Joe’s Captain Keith Miller for a behind the scenes interview and tour Thursday of his new store in Santee. The store, located at 9680 Mission Gorge Road, opened this morning.

“We’ll have some samples for everyone to try, and we’ll have some fun games we’ll be playing in the store. We’ll have a store mascot, a big-mouthed bass that the kids can find,” he said of the opening day plans. “We’ve been waiting for a long time to come to Santee, and we know the community’s been waiting.”

The new store will have 70 to 80 crew members, including 20-30 transfers familiar with Trader Joe’s culture.  New hiring will continue. He added.