What We Do

Economic Development

  • Advocate and support California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reform efforts including SB 743 (Steinberg), which streamlines Transit Oriented Development and infill housing projects.

  •  Active leadership role with the Bay Area Business Coalition (BABC), bringing together regional business groups including the Bay Area Council and Silicon Valley Leadership Group to ensure the business community is represented in policy conversations and proposed legislation by the four regulatory bodies: Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Bay Area Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). 

  • On the Board of Trustees of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute (BACEI), SAMCEDA works with business, labor, government, and education as a respected source of information and analysis, and as a trusted advisor to both business and government.

  • Partnering with the Redwood City-San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, SAMCEDA co-sponsored the annual Economic Outlook Forum featuring Mark Vitner, Managing Director and Senior Economist at Wells Fargo, and Dr. Clayton Nall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science at Stanford University.

  • Connect state and local legislators to industry leaders in all fields including tech, digital media/entertainment, software, biotech, artificial intelligence, and online marketing and analytics.

  • Provide regular economic presentations to local and regional civic groups.

  • Community partner for annual events including Skyline College’s Success Summit, Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce’s Progress Seminar, and the San Francisco Business Times Peninsula Structures. 

Transportation

  • Continues to actively engage in Caltrain modernization and electrification efforts to increase capacity, expand service, and become a leader in environmental sustainability.

  • Convenes the Peninsula Mobility Group (PMG), a coalition of private employers, public agency employers, Bay Area business associations and community leaders which advocates for vital projects focused on increasing mobility and reducing congestion.

  • Actively engages and committed to working with our public and private sector partners to support much needed improvements in the 101 corridor by way of the 101 Managed Lanes project.

  • Engages the business community, officials in South San Francisco, and Redwood City and other stakeholders to encourage the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) to prioritize San Mateo County for increased private and much needed public ferry service to help ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity.

  • Supports California High Speed Rail and its efforts on outreach as it relates to connectivity to Caltrain.

  • In partnership with SPUR, Stanford, and SVLG, SAMCEDA worked to define the Caltrain Vision Plan, a 30 year vision and operating concept of how Caltrain and a high capacity transit network could improve the quality of life for residents and employees through shorter trip times while managing the areas high growth. 

Housing

  • Engages in the Grand Boulevard Initiative, which supports housing that has transit connections along the El Camino Corridor and encourages transportation options not tied to single occupancy vehicles.
     
  • Supports San Mateo Measure K which was an extension of the half cent sales tax increase passed by the voters in 2012 (Measure A).  Measure K provides a significant portion of funding for housing that is attainable at all income levels.
     
  • Partnering with San Mateo County’s Home for All initiative since its inception which is committed to closing the jobs/housing gap.
     
  • SAMCEDA’s Board of Directors unanimously opposed Measures Q&R which would restrict housing supply to an already difficult housing market.
     
  • Supports and sponsors efforts by HEART of San Mateo County which is a public/private partnership among cities, the county, and the business, nonprofit, education, and labor communities to create more affordable housing opportunities in San Mateo County. 

Education

  • Early supporter of the countywide initiative the “Big Lift” led by the San Mateo County of Education to increasing reading proficiency of third grade students from 58% today to 80% by 2020.
     
  • As a member of the NOVA Board of Directors, SAMCEDA is an avid supporter of NOVA initiatives that work with employers on developing and identifying workforce needs and opportunities for training and skill development.
     
  • Established partnership with the Skyline College for its annual Success Summit, which highlights the importance of the business community in northern San Mateo County and include topics such as affordable Higher Education and “Getting to Yes” for transportation and housing.
     
  • Member of Notre Dame de Namur University’s School of Business and Management advisory council.
     
  • Support San Francisco State University programs and initiatives in San Mateo County.
     
  • Partnering with Assembly Member Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo), Assembly Member Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto), and San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum, SAMCEDA co-hosts the annual Connect17 event which focuses on technology and its impacts on politics, transportation, and education. Every year a Connect Honoree is selected based on their contributions to San Mateo County. 

Communication

  • Produce and publish information on the economy, business environment, and public policy issues through SAMCEDA e-newsletters and social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

  • Publishes current, reliable and useful economic and demographic data relating to San Mateo County through its contract with Marin Economic Consulting.

  • Produced inaugural “Spotlight on Business” show with Peninsula Television (PenTV).