OBMA Member & Business News

This section is for OBMA Member-specific information, events, issues, and news for small business owners in Ocean Beach.

Members, if you wish to have an announcement or article published in our Local News section for the general public, please email us your article or announcement here.

SDG&E: Resolve to save energy this year

Buildings don’t use energy – people do. Your employees affect a building’s energy performance. Many people already save energy at home. Show them the connections between those good behaviors and what they can do at work. It’s the little things that, when added together, can make a big difference. High utility costs can be a result of paying for energy that is wasted by lights, equipment, and HVAC systems that are left on for long periods while not in use. According to Energy Star, office buildings waste up to one-third of the energy they consume. Your business can use less energy and lower its costs if you:

Flu Prevention Tips

From San Diego County Health Department: The flu is hitting San Diego hard this season. A total of 45 flu deaths have been reported in San Diego so far this season as compared to five deaths this same time last season. Also, more than 7,300 laboratory-confirmed flu cases have been reported so far, which is over 8 times more than the total number of cases for the entire season last year. We are sharing important information provided by the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) on what you can do to protect yourself and those around you from becoming ill with the flu.

VOTE NOW for the 2018 OB Customer Service Business of the Year!

The polls are open! The general public is welcome to vote for the 2018 OB Customer Service Business of the Year from now until noon on Friday, January 12, 2018. Help us celebrate Ocean Beach businesses by voting for this year’s Annual OBMA Awards Winner! Make your vote count for Ocean Beach Customer Service Business of the Year by answering the survey below with the business you think best exemplifies the spirit of Ocean Beach by reflecting positive awareness and activity in the community through their exceptional customer service. Winner must be a member in good standing of the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association.

Seeking Table Sponsors and Raffle Prizes for OBMA Annual Awards!

Dear OBMA Members, The OBMA Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration is coming up on January 25, 2018! We are currently in search of table sponsors (just a few available) and contributions to our raffle prize baskets. Contributing to our annual awards is a great PR opportunity for your business! If you'd like to make a contribution, please access the forms linked below and return them to us by Friday, December 29: Table sponsorships form Raffle prize contributions form

SDG&E: Don’t let a good deal drive by

Property upgrades are expensive, but necessary. They increase property value and keep quality tenants, who are drawn to locations with state-of-the-art amenities. If an opportunity to upgrade your property with new, in demand infrastructure presents itself at a fraction of the cost, is that a deal you’d let drive by? Not a chance. San Diego Gas & Electric is installing 3,500 electric vehicle charging stations at apartments, condos and businesses in the region through the Power Your Drive initiative. As a program participant, you’d pay little to nothing to have onsite EV charging stations installed on your property for the exclusive use of your tenants.

SDG&E: Learn about advances in new HVAC technologies

Already have a good understanding of air conditioning units? Then take this advanced class at the Energy Innovation Center on December 7th that focuses on the energy efficiency of unitary systems. You earn continuing education units too! This class is for building engineers, facility managers and maintenance staff. Check out our free HVAC classes in December at seminars.sdge.com.

SDG&E: Winter energy-saving tips to reduce business energy costs

There are a variety of ways you can reduce costs in your business when it comes to energy. By assessing the needs of your employees and your customers, you’ll be able to make a plan that helps you cut costs where you need it the most.

SDG&E: Choose and use generators safely

A portable electric generator or small permanent standby generator can help keep your essential equipment running during a power outage. Before you run a generator for the first time, however, state law requires you to notify SDG&E. For safety tips and a video on choosing and using a generator, visit sdge.com/chooseagenerator.

SDG&E: New seasonal and peak periods are here

Your energy costs are based on how much electricity you use and when you use it. To better reflect energy use patterns and the impact on the electric grid, the California Public Utilities Commission recently approved these changes, effective December 1, 2017. Seasonal periods Energy use aligns with two seasonal periods and the winter season now includes the month of May. Winter: November 1 to May 31 (previously November 1 to April 30) Summer: June 1 to October 31 (previously May 1 to October 31)

Advertising Opportunity: PassPort San Diego (June 2018)

Contact Carolyn Howard for more information on advertising in PassPort San Diego! The deadline for the next issue is December 15, 2017. Carolyn Howard Vice President PassPort to San Diego, Inc. 619-251-4530 (Direct) 619-465-7550 (FAX) www.PassPortToSanDiego.com

CA Competes Tax Credit (Presentation Dec. 8)

There is a CA Competes Tax Credit Presentation on Friday December 8th, 2017, from 9:00-10:00 at SD City Council Chambers. From Jan 2-22, 2018, interested business owners can submit grant applications for these credits. $100M in credits will be available and 25% must go directly to small businesses. This is a competitive application process. Below is a flyer for the Dec. 8th Presentation and a flyer that outlines the criteria used in evaluating applications.

Apple Pay Activation in OB: December 16-17, 2017

From Apple Pay's representatives: Hello Ocean Beach Merchant, Apple Pay is hosting a neighborhood “Lose Your Wallet” campaign in Ocean Beach to promote participating local businesses in the area on Dec. 16 & 17th from around 10-6pm and we'd like you to participate! Apple will promote the event via social, digital media, and radio to drive more traffic to the neighborhood and encourage people to shop locally. Apple Pay representatives will also be able to help you assess your capability to accept Apple Pay and get setup for the event. Additionally, there will be an event footprint at the Cafe Bella parking lot with activities such as custom tote bag silkscreening, caricature artists, leather stamping, each for $1 with Apple Pay.

Small Business Consulting at No Cost from SDSU

The Small Business Consulting Program at San Diego State University pairs astute students with small businesses in the San Diego area. As a client, you meet your student team, led by a graduate assistant, and design the project plans to meet the scope of the project. This 16 week experience will give you the opportunity, to discover and apply, important primary and secondary market research, utilizing the 100+ hours of student enterprise, concluding in recommendations and an action plan. Not to mention the lasting positive impact made in students’ lives and your company. If the program interests you, please visit our website for more information. The deadline to apply is Monday, January 8th, 2018.