Posted by Dick Dannells on Oct 11, 2018
TODAY’S PROGRAM October 9, 2018: Melissa James-“ ECONOMIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT”
Pres. Scott opened the meeting at 12:33 PM with the usual introduction of guests that included District Gov. Sandi Schwartz and Kay Pitts, the Chair of the in Bakersfield District Conference. DG Sandi awarded Jeff King the District Appreciation Award for all the help you provided at the Bakersfield District Conference Pres. Scott provided a slideshow of the highlights of this Conference. A few of the highlights included the Montecito Club’s Pines 4 Polio fundraiser on Friday night that raised $8000; Nita Belles, and Founder and Executive Director of Human Trafficking IN OUR BACKYARD; and an End Polio Pajama Run, which included a prize for the best pajamas that was won by Pres. Scott.
INSPIRATION DOLLARS:
Pres. Scott fined himself $20 for failing to introduce Kay Pitts.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Steve Curry announced that this Saturday, October 13 the Grover Beach Rotary Club Burgers, Beers and Bands Benefit will be held at  ManRock Brewery in Grover Beach. Ashlea announced the next social is on for 5:30 PM, Thursday, October 18 at the Sea Venture in Pismo Beach. Next week’s meeting featuring our Jim Lewis who will provide the program entitled “the State of Pismo Beach. ”Paul Holden asked for volunteers to participate in the 8 AM Adopt-a-Highway cleanup next Saturday October 13 starting with breakfast at Coco’s.
PROGRAM: Melissa James-“ ECONOMIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT”
 Melissa is the SLO Chamber’s Director OF Economic Initiatives and Regional Advocacy and has held that position since January 2017. During the past 2 years of her tenure, she found it difficult to build a coalition of the diverse communities in the County. Last August 18, she and a team of civic leaders traveled to Boulder and Denver, Colorado to see what they had done economically after the oil bust back in the 1980s. They formed the Crazy 8 organization to go after what was left of the shambled economy. As result they brought major league baseball and a new airport to the region. Now the entire Denver area is enjoying economic success. When the team returned from Colorado, they formed the SLO County Civility Promise that brought together the communities of Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach. It almost fell apart, but they were finally able to bring in Paso Robles and Atascadero into the fold. One of their goals was to provide a County Animal Shelter. Another was look into the problem of the high cost of housing in the area and provide a regional approach to this problem. They are now moving forward to provide more affordable housing in the county. Their biggest problem has been to deal with the PG&E Diablo Canyon closure and the tremendous economic effect it will have on the County. After many trips to Sacramento by Jim Lewis and others, the city leaders were finally able to reach the Diablo Closure Settlement Agreement that will provide $85 million to be allocated to all the cities in the county.
 
TODAY’S PROGRAM October 9, 2018: Melissa James-“ ECONOMIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT”
Pres. Scott opened the meeting at 12:33 PM with the usual introduction of guests that included District Gov. Sandi Schwartz and Kay Pitts, the Chair of the in Bakersfield District Conference. DG Sandi awarded Jeff King the District Appreciation Award for all the help you provided at the Bakersfield District Conference Pres. Scott provided a slideshow of the highlights of this Conference. A few of the highlights included the Montecito Club’s Pines 4 Polio fundraiser on Friday night that raised $8000; Nita Belles, and Founder and Executive Director of Human Trafficking IN OUR BACKYARD; and an End Polio Pajama Run, which included a prize for the best pajamas that was won by Pres. Scott.
INSPIRATION DOLLARS:
Pres. Scott fined himself $20 for failing to introduce Kay Pitts.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Steve Curry announced that this Saturday, October 13 the Grover Beach Rotary Club Burgers, Beers and Bands Benefit will be held at  ManRock Brewery in Grover Beach. Ashlea announced the next social is on for 5:30 PM, Thursday, October 18 at the Sea Venture in Pismo Beach. Next week’s meeting featuring our Jim Lewis who will provide the program entitled “the State of Pismo Beach. ”Paul Holden asked for volunteers to participate in the 8 AM Adopt-a-Highway cleanup next Saturday October 13 starting with breakfast at Coco’s.
PROGRAM: Melissa James-“ ECONOMIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT”
 Melissa is the SLO Chamber’s Director OF Economic Initiatives and Regional Advocacy and has held that position since January 2017. During the past 2 years of her tenure, she found it difficult to build a coalition of the diverse communities in the County. Last August 18, she and a team of civic leaders traveled to Boulder and Denver, Colorado to see what they had done economically after the oil bust back in the 1980s. They formed the Crazy 8 organization to go after what was left of the shambled economy. As result they brought major league baseball and a new airport to the region. Now the entire Denver area is enjoying economic success. When the team returned from Colorado, they formed the SLO County Civility Promise that brought together the communities of Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach. It almost fell apart, but they were finally able to bring in Paso Robles and Atascadero into the fold. One of their goals was to provide a County Animal Shelter. Another was look into the problem of the high cost of housing in the area and provide a regional approach to this problem. They are now moving forward to provide more affordable housing in the county. Their biggest problem has been to deal with the PG&E Diablo Canyon closure and the tremendous economic effect it will have on the County. After many trips to Sacramento by Jim Lewis and others, the city leaders were finally able to reach the Diablo Closure Settlement Agreement that will provide $85 million to be allocated to all the cities in the county.