Birthed from the Marin Energy Authority’s hard-fought launch of Marin Clean Energy in May 2010, MCE is a not-for-profit public agency that has set the standard for clean energy in our communities. 
MCE offers more renewable power at stable rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and reinvesting millions of dollars in local energy programs.
But while you might glance regularly at your energy bills, you're likely unaware of the broad range of MCE's platform. In advance of MCE hosting our Feb. 15th After Hours at the Mill Valley Community Center, we're spotlighting a trio of MCE's components that will open your eyes to the possibilities. Click on the links below for an array of critical important information for you, your home and business.
​MCE’s Pathway to a Clean Energy Future – Dig Into the Agency's Priorities

• MCE is meeting state renewable energy and climate goals light-years ahead of schedule, ensuring grid reliability and resiliency, boosting the green economy, and offering programs that benefit underserved communities. MCE’s Light Green energy service is expected to be 95% greenhouse gas free by 2023 and 85% renewable by 2029.

MCE Marketplace Programs – How MCE Help Prevent Summer Blackouts

• MCE’s suite of Marketplace programs accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient equipment with a focus on peak period demand reduction and energy savings. Programs like Smart meter data measures the amount of energy that is being saved. MCE's new meter-based methodology is more accurate and provides critical insight about when energy savings are occurring. An incentive structure pays premium rates during the summer peak hours, which can exceed 10 times the value of off-peak rates. And Incentives are directed to the installation contractor or equipment provider, referred to as aggregators. Virtually any equipment that produces measurable savings can be included in the program.

“Supplier Diversity” – Small Businesses Can Amplify Their Opportunities

• If you are a small or diverse business owner in California, MCE can help you certify in the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Supplier Diversity program and amplify your business opportunities throughout the state. Stay tuned for details.

MORE INFO ON MCE'S ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

On the heels of the latest discussion on the proposed countywide Reusable Foodware Ordinance, in which business owners noted the gaps between the ordinances requirements and the lack of product availability with which to comply, County of Marin consultants Jinesse Reynolds and Susan Hopp reached back out to provide some additional context:

1. Compost concern – Mill Valley Refuse. You are required to make sure your compost is not contaminated. If your customers are the problem, you can ask them to put all of the waste in your bus tray and then the person who does the dishes can sort it out correctly in the back.

​2. To-Go Ramekins - That is not on the Exemption list but we can see about getting it added since there is not a replacement that works.

3. Wood-based utensils are required, please check out other ideas if bamboo is not working for you. Here is the link to the Marin County Purchasing Guide. It contains some compost compliant disposable suggestions that may help. It also contains a list of the exempt items. 

4. The County is working on providing signs to help the customer & the employees with the ordinance requirements (8.5" x 5.5" 2 sided postcards, can be displayed at ordering and accessory areas, employees can refer to the backside for info on the ordinances).

5. Please understand this ordinance was adopted because Marin County residents rallied and made it happen. The largest percentage of the population in Marin County are concerned residents that understand using single-use disposable foodware pollutes and is harmful to our bodies and the environment and replacing single-use with reusables is the best way to make the biggest difference. The County has and will continue to work with community stakeholders and businesses to make this work the best it can for all. San Anselmo and Fairfax have been working with their businesses since they implemented it in 2019. Here is a study that was done by ReThink disposables. Comforts is a deli/restaurant in San Anselmo. They have dine-in & take -out.
Questions/Concerns? Email Susan Hopp here. 

If the past few days haven't provided us with enough reminders that we must focus on keeping each other safe, the City of Mill Valley has created a four-page guide for new and seasoned employees in businesses and organizations throughout Mill Valley.

The preparedness guide shines a spotlight on the possible disasters that might confront employees during their workday and teaches those who work in Mill Valley how to prepare for and to stay safe during a variety of emergencies.

Business owners and nonprofit leaders: This is an incredibly valuable document to share with your employees! YOU CAN VIEW AND PRINT THE GUIDE HERE or click on the individual panels below to get full-page views of each slide below.  

Additional emergency preparedness guidance and training opportunities for Mill Valley's businesses and organizations will be available throughout the coming year.

If you are interested in receiving more info about emergency preparedness and businesses/organizations, reach out to Michelle Terrell, Community Engagement Coordinator, at mterrell@cityofmillvalley.org.

By Jim Welte

For those that weren't able to attend our annual Holiday Party at the Outdoor Art Club earlier this month, here's a brief look at how we see ourselves as an organization as we head into 2023. At the 30,000 feet level, we’re about the betterment of our business and nonprofit community and thus, our entire 94941 community as a whole.

We create. That comes in the form of events like these – some a heckuva lot larger than this with the Music Festival, some much smaller. We also create content – thousands of words per week, in fact, all to keep you informed about what’s happening in town and how you can be part of it.

We champion. Whether it’s the future use of outdoor space in our amazing town or our desire to see more affordable housing created here so that our workforce, the backbone of our community, are able to live more closely to where they work, we don’t hesitate to weigh in when vitality and equity are at stake.

We coach. When I’m not coaching my 7th grade girls basketball team at MVMS, I’m meeting with one of you to talk through an idea, identify a way forward and inform and educate our members about how best to navigate, whether it’s with the city, the county or whomever we need to engage.
​
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly going forward, we connect. Many of the people in this room know one another (this certainly include the hundreds of members unable to be with us tonight). We’re happy to have made many of those connections, and it is incumbent upon as a Chamber to make sure that we continue to make them. Our job is to create innovative opportunities by connecting people. We encourage you to lean on us for the connections you seek.

We’re going to explore ways to expand connectivity among our members in the coming months.

Lastly, I’ll be adding some office hours on Mondays going forward, so if you find yourself in need of a sounding board, a consultation or just want to catch up for a bit, look for the opportunity to sign up in the New Year. We're back at it again at the incredibly beautiful property at Fernwood in Tam Junction on Tuesday, January 10, 5:30-7pm. See you then unless we bump into each other in the meantime!

As always, reach out at info@millvalley.org anytime. Here's to a safer, healthier, more prosperous and increasingly more equitable 2023!​

Business owners: The deadline is swiftly approaching for employers with over 50 employees to either have a retirement plan in motion or register with @CalSavers, California’s retirement savings program designed for the millions who don’t have a way to save for retirement at their job.
​CalSavers was created by legislation passed in 2016 requiring employers who do not sponsor a retirement plan and have 5 or more employees to participate in CalSavers – an automatic enrollment individual retirement account (IRA) with no employer fees or fiduciary liability.

The next deadlines is June 30, 2022 for eligible employers with at least five employees. Employers don’t need to wait: they can register for CalSavers at any time.

MORE INFO.

If you've missed out on prior California state relief grants for restaurants, you have an another opportunity, though it comes with a tight deadline.
The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund is back for another round of grants to support California’s independent restaurants. Grants are $3,000 and can be used for kitchen equipment upgrades or retention bonuses.
Winning restaurants are welcomed into a cohort and receive one-year of support services and resources to promote their long-term success. All California-based restaurants with fewer than three units and under $3 million in revenue are invited to apply. Deadline is April 30!
Here is a new funding option for restaurants.

Go here for all info and to apply.

Who is eligible to receive a grant?

• Independent restaurants (not part of a large chain or franchise) 
• 1-3 units
• Under $3 million in annual revenue (combined revenue for all units/concepts) 
• Have been open for at least one full year 
• Customer of SoCalGas, PG&E, or SDG&E
• Located in CA owned by a CA resident
• Note: Members of the STATE boards of the California Restaurant Association and California Restaurant Foundation are not eligible. 
• All restaurants that meet the above criteria are eligible and encouraged to apply, additional consideration is given to restaurants owned by women and people of color. 

Quick facts:

• Application is open from April 15th-30th
• Must be based in California
• Fewer than 3 units/concepts
• Under $3M in annual revenue
• Funding for ALL counties across California
• Funding can be used toward kitchen equipment or retention bonuses
• Winners will be announced in early June

MORE INFO & APPLY.

Welcome everyone! We are so grateful to Depot co-owner Paul Lazzareschi and his team for hosting our Annual Holiday Party. And a huge thanks to our Chamber team—Susan, Kathy and Adrienne—for making it all happen!

This is the time of year we hold our Annual Meeting as well so I’d like to share a few other appreciations and highlights. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of Chairing our amazing Chamber Board of Directors. I’d like to acknowledge in particular four of our retiring Trustees, who together served 20 years on the Board:

Mike Son with the Bank of Marin, Jim Iavarone with Mill Valley Refuse Service, Grilly's owner Jim Revoir Grilly’s owner and Quoc Phan with Tam Bikes. I’d also like to welcome our three new Board members who start in January: Ryan Canepa with Mill Valley Market, Christine Donohue, owner of The Revery and Shavery; and Karl Hasz, Owner of Hasz Construction—who brought us The Depot!!!

A special thanks as well to all our other Board Members who worked hard on your behalf:

• Hunter Moore, CEO of The Redwoods, who will be Chair next year.

• Megan Acio, owner of WIGT, who will be Vice Chair next Year
• Gabe Burczyk, owner of WrapManager who will be Treasurer
• Teresa Rea, our Board Secretary
• Jan Mathews co-owner of Mill Valley Lumber Yard
• Susan Cunningham, co-owner of the Mountain Home Inn
• Armando Gallegos, Co-owner of B12Love
• Tyler Higgins, Partner at Floodwater
• Melinda Neal, owner of Marin Conservatory of Dance
• Kendal Savelli, co-owner of Malugani Tires,
• Susie Turner, owner of Green Door Design; and
• Urban Carmel, MV City Council and ex-officio to our Board

I’m sure you all agree with me that It’s good to be looking at 2021 through the rear-view mirror.  

But it wasn’t all bad. Remember vaccination rollouts in March and our brief taste of freedom in June? While it was short-lived, our appreciation for each other endured.  Indeed, our Executive Director Jim Welte captured so many wonderful Mill Valley moments in his weekly Enjoy Mill Valley Blog posts, which are well worth re-reading in our website archives!

The Chamber tiptoed back to in-person meetings with two wonderful Fall outdoor “After Hours” at the Mill Valley Lumber Yard and Fernwood. A special “shout out” to our Ambassador Team, led by Phil Garratt.

Earlier this month, several thousand residents and visitors enjoyed Winterfest’s outdoor performances, games and a Super Slide.

The City and Chamber continued to work closely together all year, through the Business Vitality Panel, to facilitate new business openings and extend outdoor business uses through next June.  

We supported the City’s workforce housing goals and were very active in the 11-member Marin County Council of Chambers Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.

And once again, we reached 40,000 plus households with our Annual Enjoy Mill Valley Guide, featuring dozens of local businesses and a full directory of all Chamber members. A special thanks to Chamber team member, Susan Lopes, for spearheading that.

I’ve been very proud to be part of this business community that has been so resilient during Covid--and to lead the Chamber these past two years. I welcome the opportunity to work with our new leadership team in 2022.

And to end on a very high note—I look forward to the Chamber’s exciting initiative to host an outdoor Mill Valley Music Festival on May 7th, 2022.  You’ll hear much more about this fun event in January—but mark your calendars!!

Together with our amazing staff and ambassadors, we will keep working hard in 2022 to shine a light on all of you, our nearly 400 members, who keep this community vital and thriving.

We will get through this! Thank you.

​Questions? Comments? Email us.

Oh boy, did we serendipitously thread the heck out of that needle.
One day after an absolute deluge of rain, and one day before a statewide indoor mandate went into effect – followed by another downpour – we hosted our Enjoy Mill Valley After Hours' Holiday Party, a chance to cap off an incredible, bruising year of highs and lows with some of our favorite people.
It was also a celebration of our hosts, the owners of the Depot Cafe & Bookstore, who navigated a long, complex renovation and restored the centerpiece landmark of downtown Mill Valley, in collaboration with the city.
Thanks to Paul Lazzareschi and his team of investors for being such gracious hosts, to our incredible Chamber Ambassadors for helping to make it happen, to Susan, Kathy and Adrienne for leading the charge and to the incredible businesses who served up a dazzling array of tasty beverages and delicious bites: Bungalow 44, Piazza D’Angelo, Good Earth Natural Foods, Joe’s Taco Lounge, Flour Craft Bakery, Simple Mills and the Depot itself. And thanks to Daniel Patrick for the sound system and the Larry the Hat and BiOAID95 for the mask filters. We're putting our feet up for a minute. We wish you all Happy Holidays and some respite from the tumultuous year in the rearview mirror. We'll take an After Hours break in January in conjunction with the statewide mask mandate through Jan. 15. See you again soon! FULL PHOTOS FROM GARY FERBER!!

(Click the image above to read at a larger size)

Learn more about the rich history of Redwood Credit Union, as well as its deep ties to our local schools, in the videos below: