For Oxnard-based businesses dealing with the day-to-day impacts of homelessness, the issue is volatile. Read Oxnard City Manager Alex Nguyen's conversation with Chamber Chair Stacy Miller to find out how the city is taking action.
READ THE FULL STORY>>

In April, the Oxnard Chamber hosted its annual Community & Business Awards, which honor outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that make Oxnard a wonderful community to live, work and do business in.
READ THE FULL STORY>>

In December, the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors elected the 2020 Officers who will represent the Chamber's Executive Committee.
READ THE FULL STORY>>

The Oxnard Chamber's Board of Directors and Political Action Committee have both voted to oppose five local measures currently being circulated for signature gathering in our community. The Board believes each measure will have a negative impact on city operations, should voters pass them.
READ THE FULL STORY>>

"It’s important that we continue to look for ways to make doing business in the city of Oxnard easier,” says Jeff Lambert, Oxnard’s Community Development Director. Chamber Chair Stacy Miller shares how removing age restrictions at Oxnard craft breweries was a victory for the city, businesses and customers.
READ THE FULL STORY>>

The Oxnard Chamber is pleased to announce the 2020 Officers who were elected by the Board of Directors at its December 5 meeting. The Chamber’s Executive Committee comprises these seven individuals. Congratulations and a sincere thank you to all for your servant leadership!

Top row:
Celina Zacarias, Chair
Celina is the Senior Director of Community and Government Relations at California State University Channel Islands. Celina is very active with a number of other chambers of commerce, and has been on the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors since 2015.

Tracy Perez, Chair-Elect
Tracy is Market Manager for Ventura County at Manpower, a world leader in innovative workforce solutions. She is Chair of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County and was appointed to the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors in November 2019.

Stacy Miller, Immediate Past Chair
Stacy stepped up to fill the Chair vacancy at the end of April 2018 and served in that position through 2019.  She is the principal of Stacy Miller Public Affairs, a full-service communications and public affairs firm. She has served on the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors since 2017. 

Bottom row:
Andrew Kiefer, Vice Chair / Treasurer
Andrew has served as the Oxnard Chamber’s Vice Chair/Treasurer for the past three years. He is Managing Director for CBIZ MHM, LLC in Oxnard, which provides accounting and other services to help businesses grow. He has served on the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors since 2016.

Dona Lacayo, Vice Chair
Dona is Chief Commercial & Public Affairs Officer at the Port of Hueneme where she leads Commercial Strategy and Development Planning, as well as Public Affairs including government and media relations. She has served on the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors since 2016.

Anthony Mireles, Vice Chair
Anthony is Business Manager for Local 585, an affiliate of LiUNA—the Laborers’ International Union of North America—the most progressive, aggressive and fastest-growing union of construction workers. He was appointed to the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors in December 2019. 

​Laura Mullen, Vice Chair
Laura oversees Marketing and Community Relations for DCH Auto Group, as well as Inventory Control for their Toyota location in the Oxnard Auto Center. She co-founded OXYP - Oxnard Young Professionals – in 2017, is a graduate of the Oxnard Leadership Program, and has served on the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors since 2016.

A Message From Chamber CEO Nancy Lindholm 

​The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently released its quarterly Small Business Index, which reached a record high of 71.3, up 0.6 points from the third quarter of 2019. It's the highest score since the survey launched in 2017.

The high score for 2019 Q4 is the result of two elements: small businesses' strong outlook on their local economy and optimism about their own business health.

Key findings of the Q4 results are:

• 69% of small businesses report good health, up slightly from last quarter (66%). This is the first time the measure has grown over four consecutive quarters.
• An unprecedented 59% say their local economic outlook is good. This is the most optimistic businesses have felt toward their local economy since the survey's inception.
• 57% say the U.S. economy is in good health, similar to last quarter and continuing an overall positive trend since Q1.

Other highlights of 2019 Q4 findings are:

• 83% of small businesses feel comfortable with their cash flow, the highest level of optimism since the survey began.
• 20% of small businesses report increasing their staff size this past year. This also is the highest percentage since the survey's inception.
• Minority-owned small businesses are more likely than non-minority-owned small businesses to plan for an increase in investments. Minority-owned small businesses also are more likely than non-minority-owned ones to have plans to grow staff.
• Millennial small business owners are the most likely (51%) to have plans to grow their staff compared to other generations. In comparison, just 25% of Baby Boomer or older small business owners have plans to increase staff.

On the downside, manufacturers are growing pessimistic. Small manufacturers have become more pessimistic about the national economy over the last two quarters with an 11% decline (from 69% in Q2 to 58% in Q4).

To read the entire Small Business Index, go to www.uschamber.com/sbindex

On November 21, OXYP – Oxnard Young Professionals – kicked off the season of giving at its second-annual holiday mixer. In the weeks leading up to the networking event, OXYP led a fundraiser to collect gifts cards to benefit local teens served by Project Understanding.

“The evening was a success! We were able to collect 72 gift cards and donate them to Project Understanding,” says Taylor Penny, 2019 OXYP Chair and the Annual Campaigns Coordinator for St. John’s Healthcare Foundation.

“Tears filled my eyes as I handed them over to Jan Hauling from the organization. She was so grateful and expressed how much of a difference we have made for the families who will be receiving the cards.”

​Located in Ventura, Project Understanding is a nonprofit that provides hope by developing and directing resources for the purpose of transforming lives and community through justice, mercy and compassion.

The event was held at Red Tandem Brewery and included food from Marco's Pizza, both Chamber members.

“A big shout out to Red Tandem for inviting us into their space and giving free tastings to those who attended, and to Marco’s Pizza for donating delicious pizza for us to enjoy!” says Penny.

Later in the month, OXYP is hosting a private holiday party for teens at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme for the second year in a row. At this year’s event, OXYP is providing a Gamez on Wheels 2D/3D game truck and serving up ice cream.

Penny says she hope this tradition of supporting local kids and teens continues with OXYP with more holidays seasons to come.

​“Moments like that are why I do what I do,” she says. “It’s not easy asking for help or donations from community businesses but when you know you’re making a difference in a life, a kid’s life, that’s all what matters in the end.”

By Chamber Chair Stacy Miller
​
It has been my honor to serve as your Chair of the Board for 2019. In addition to working with an excellent board of directors, Chamber CEO and staff, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and work with the myriad of business and government leaders in Oxnard. These dedicated professionals regularly seek out ways to improve the business climate in our community, generously giving of their time and talent to improve Oxnard for the benefit of everyone.
 
While Oxnard is known as Ventura County’s most populated community, it is also home to many amazing businesses that employ thousands of people.  Over the last year, I have had the privilege of touring some of these businesses, including Haas Automation, Mission Produce and CURE Pharmaceutical to name a few. At all of these (and other) Oxnard-based businesses, I have been very impressed by their world-class technology and expertise in their fields; all right here in Oxnard!
 
At the local government level, the Chamber works together with local leaders on issues ranging from land use and business regulations, to homelessness and housing. While we are not always in agreement on every issue, I have consistently experienced a great willingness on the part of our leaders to listen and consider varying ideas and opinions for the good of our community.
 
It is my pleasure to share with you a few of the many accomplishments made by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce in 2019, in partnership with the business and government communities:

1. The Chamber welcomed Lenny Mendonca, Chief Economic Advisor to Governor Newsom and Director of GO-Biz (Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development) to the Oxnard Business Outlook luncheon. He shared the Governor's views on the role of business in building an inclusive, sustainable economy for all Californians.
2. The Chamber’s annual Military Appreciation Dinner honored nine local military heroes from all branches of the military for their military service, but also for their service in the local community. Now in its 22nd year, the dinner provides an opportunity for the business community and leaders from the city and region to meet and connect with local servicemen and women. Meet the 2019 military honorees.
3. For the 69th year, the Chamber’s Community & Business Awards celebrated outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that make Oxnard a wonderful community to live, work and do business in. Meet the 2019 honorees.
4.  The chamber convened 200 business and community leaders for the annual State of the City Address. The luncheon featured presentations from Mayor Tim Flynn and City Manager Alex Nguyen about the city’s current and future fiscal outlook, new development projects, and how business can help address key issues impacting our community.
5. The Chamber was honored with its 10th consecutive President’s Circle Award. The award honors the Chamber's excellence in business advocacy and helping our members comply with California employment laws.
6. OXYP - Oxnard Young Professionals – championed teen-focused, philanthropic initiatives for the holidays. They collected 72 gift cards from the community to benefit local teens supported by Project Understanding and will host a holiday party for teens at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme.  
7. Now in its fourth year, the Oxnard Leadership Program welcomed a new cohort of participants to experience 10 unique, day-long sessions designed to provide a better understanding and appreciation of the past, present and future for Oxnard and the surrounding area. There were nine graduates in the 2019 program.
8. This year, the Oxnard Chamber surpassed 500 members!
9. Among its government relations and advocacy, the Oxnard Chamber testified on 11 local/regional issues of importance to the business community.

​I want to thank each and every one of you for your support and participation with the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce.  Together we can continue to be the catalyst for business growth, the convener for leaders and influencers, and the champion for a stronger community.