SDNEDC hosted its first Chairman’s Dinner of the year at the Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista on February 27. Chairman Jim Callaghan, Jr. and CEO Erik Bruvold gathered 33 attendees from different industries and companies including the City of Vista, Merrill Lynch, US Bank, Steinberg Hart, American Medical Response, and more.
Economic Development Efforts in Vista
Mayor John Franklin of the City of Vista gave a brief outline of the city’s economic development initiatives including affordability, crime & public safety, business retention, and the importance of local governance. His goal is to make Vista a community where people can live comfortably at any age and enjoy a happy retirement. Under Franklin’s leadership, business retention and promotion are a top priority. He and his wife started their careers in Vista as local small business owners and still run that business today. He frequently visits Vista companies such as Leidos and Bachem, and learns more about how they contribute to the local economy. He plans to create solutions and incentives for businesses to come and remain in Vista.
Franklin also stressed the increasing crime rates and homelessness rates in not just Vista, but in California within the last 5-7 years. He reported that around 58% of Californians voted for Proposition 36 in the November 2024 elections, which allows increased sentencing for felony charges, theft, and drug-related crimes. Franklin mentioned that this is where effective government leadership should step in. He has been working with local government officials and employees to find ways to solve these important issues.
San Diego County Helps North County
County Supervisor Jim Desmond (District 5) addressed San Diego County’s handling of the recent fires in Rancho Bernardo, Mission Valley, and Otay. As a response to these and the LA fires, Desmond stressed the importance of having water storage, removing brush, being aware of hazards via the app Watch Duty, and the effects of the Santa Ana winds. These fires are highly likely to begin in unincorporated areas, especially in North and East County. Desmond’s focus is to prevent the fires from starting so that industry, agriculture, and housing will not be threatened in the future.
Desmond is also tackling homelessness in North County. His proposed solution is to open crisis stabilization units for those experiencing homelessness, and he has already opened three along the 78 Corridor in Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista. He also recommended the establishment of mental health treatment centers, with services provided on an involuntary basis.
Desmond’s goals for 2025 also include business retention efforts, and handling county-related services like elderly services and food stamps. His slogan for his work is to “do what’s right and sleep well at night.”
Chairman’s Dinners are invitation-only events, hosted by SDNEDC’s current Board Chair, for North County business professionals and elected officials. SDNEDC aims to limit its attendees to these dinners to around 30-40 people per dinner to promote opportunities for connection. The next Chairman’s Dinner will be in August at the TERI Campus of Life in the City of San Marcos.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Event
SDNEDC’s 12th Annual North County Economic Summit will take place on May 15 at CSU San Marcos. To learn more about Chairman’s Dinners and or the North County Economic Summit, please contact Katja Hokanson at khokanson@sdnedc.org and Caitlyn Canby at ccanby@sdnedc.org.
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About the Author
Katja Hokanson is the Marketing and Events Coordinator at SDNEDC. She has her bachelor’s degree in history with a Minor in Business obtained from UC San Diego. She has experience in the hospitality and tourism industry as well as in marketing and communications. Katja moved to San Diego from Los Angeles and loves learning more about and being a part of the San Diego community. Katja enjoys traveling, exploring new places, picking up new hobbies and overall being creative!