By Karen Pearlman
Photo by Emma Palmer: San Diego County Building Industry Association CEO Lori Pfeiler; Lucas Coleman, Director of World Trade Center San Diego; and San Diego City Councilman Raul Campillo.
March 26, 2025 (San Diego) -- One week ahead of plans by President Donald Trump to put a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China, San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo and local business leaders warned of severe economic consequences for the San Diego County region.
Trump said he is taking the action to hold Mexico, Canada and China accountable to their promise to halt illegal immigration and stopping fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into the United States.
Chair of the city of San Diego’s Economic Development & Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Campillo, who represents the Seventh Council District of San Diego (including the Navajo area neighborhoods of San Carlos, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro and Grantville) shared his concerns at a Wednesday afternoon press conference.
Joined by business leaders from different San Diego industries expecting to be affected by the tariffs, Campillo urged the federal administration to reverse course before the tariffs stand to damage local businesses and housing affordability.
The tariffs will impact industries that include manufacturing construction and healthcare, plus trade.
Campillo and business leaders are urging the current administration to pursue alternative solutions that would strengthen American industries without hurting consumers.
“San Diego thrives because of trade,” Campillo said.
“From our small businesses and manufacturers to our healthcare providers and construction industry, we depend on strong economic partnerships with Mexico, Canada and beyond. These tariffs threaten the economic stability of our region, putting jobs at risk, raising prices on everyday goods, and making it even harder for working families to afford to live here.”
Economic experts predict that the coming tariffs are expected to cost the average American household up to $2,000 more per year. San Diego families will be among the hardest hit because of an already high cost of living.
While trade accounts for 67 percent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product, 73 percent of Mexico’s GDP and 37 percent of China’s GDP, it accounts for only 24 percent of U.S. GDP, according to The White House.
The White House reports that in 2023, the U.S. trade deficit in goods was the world’s largest at over $1 trillion.
Campillo said Trump is calling April 2 “Liberation Day,” and said, “let’s be honest -- there’s nothing liberating about raising prices on hardworking San Diegans and putting local jobs at risk.”
Campillo said the tariffs will threaten everything from groceries to housing to healthcare costs -- at a time when many families are already struggling.
He said the issue “is not about partisan politics -- it’s about protecting San Diego’s economy.”
“As an elected representative, I am standing with San Diego’s business community to say loud and clear -- this trade war is reckless, and it must stop,” Campillo said.
San Diego’s geographic position and close ties with Mexico make the region particularly vulnerable to economic instability caused by tariffs.
With $63 billion in imports and $33 billion in exports flowing through San Diego (2023 statistics), new trade restrictions could create severe economic disruptions.
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Vice President of International and Public Affairs, Kenia Zamarripa said that tariffs “create unnecessary economic barriers that disrupt cross-border trade, increase costs for businesses and threaten jobs in our region.”
Zamarripa noted that San Diego thrives on seamless trade with Mexico – the region’s top trading partner.
“These tariffs will harm businesses of all sizes,” Zamarripa said.
One particular industry that is expected to be hit hard from the tariffs is housing construction. The cost of materials is expected to rise dramatically with the changes, potentially worsening San Diego’s housing crisis.
San Diego County Building Industry Association CEO Lori Pfeiler said that the new tariffs on America’s largest trading partners – Mexico, Canada and China -- are projected to raise the cost of imported construction materials by more than $3 billion, increasing the price of a new home by $7,500 to $10,000.
“That’s exactly the wrong approach, especially in San Diego, where we’re already facing a severe housing affordability crisis,” Pfeiler said. “We urge President Trump to roll back these tariffs to help build more housing, not less.”
Last November Trump said the tariff will remain in effect until “drugs, in particular fentanyl, and illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country.”
The Sandie Awards invites San Diego marketing professionals to submit their best campaigns and projects – from branding and creative to storytelling and social – to compete for top honors among their peers.
East County News Service
March 25, 2025 (San Diego) - The American Marketing Association (AMA) San Diego Chapter has opened a call for entries for its Sandie Awards, the prestigious annual marketing awards program that recognizes the best marketing campaigns and projects created by or for an agency, consultancy, corporation, educational institution, nonprofit or college student in San Diego County. Entries for work completed in 2024 are being accepted here through April 1.
The Sandie Awards or “Sandies” recognize work across marketing categories ranging from branding and integrated campaigns to social media and video, plus the Peers of the Year program, which includes Agency and Trailblazer of the Year. Kerri V. Kapich of the San Diego Tourism Authority was named 2024 Marketer of the Year. See full award categories list here.
A dinner program on May 22 at the iconic Town and Country Resort will host hundreds of marketing leaders and professionals as Sandies winners are revealed live. Troy Johnson, food critic, Food Network star, and San Diego Magazine publisher, will emcee. Early bird tickets start at $135 and include a cocktail reception, full-course dinner, wine, and after party. Tickets available here.
AMA San Diego VP of Special Events Summer Haines says, “This is our third Sandies and it’s been wonderful to see the growth in number of awards and participants – from in-house departments to agencies, and nonprofits to universities. The awards spotlight the standout marketing being done in San Diego County and honor professionals creating incredibly successful work across the region.”
AMA SD Sandie Awards sponsors:
- Town and Country Resort
- Buchanan Brand + Design
- Causal
- Clearpoint Agency
- Downtown Works
- MaxLux Media
- Media Now Interactive
- MisMarissa
- Neyenesch Printers
- Nexxen
- San Diego Business Journal
- Show Imaging
- SpeedPro Mission Valley
Sponsorship opportunities available here.
Causal, AMA San Diego Premier Partner, is sponsoring the Sandie Awards and is excited to celebrate the winning entries. Causal Sales Director Gloria Collett says, “The Sandie Awards beautifully highlight the stellar marketing work being done in San Diego. Our team at Causal works daily to deliver maximum value and results to our clients – just as the Sandie Awards winners do – and we look forward to applauding the honorees in May.”
About American Marketing Association San Diego
San Diego AMA is a 501(c)3 organization comprising mid- to senior-level marketers invested in advancing the art of marketing and creating unique growth and learning opportunities for marketers. San Diego AMA provides education, networking, information, resources, and valuable connections in a fun and approachable environment where personal development goals can be achieved. Visit www.sdama.org.
By Leorah Gavidor
March 13, 2025 (Campo) -- When Urban Timber partners Jessica Van Arsdale and Dan Herbst learned they had just a few months to move their well-established tree salvage business, the couple had to scramble to find a place to move hundreds of tons of logs that they had saved from the landfill. The company that saves trees from urban displacement was itself facing displacement. After a few weeks of major stress and uncertainty, Urban Timber found its rural salvation in East County.
Van Arsdale and Herbst found a 13-acre piece of land listed for sale in Campo, and then they found real estate agent Carol Snyder. She championed the purchase knowing Urban Timber’s plans for the property were to bring new business and new energy to the town. The vision is to build community in Campo, with resources, materials, and tools on site for artists and woodworkers to design and build projects using salvaged wood from around San Diego County.
“Each time I get to visit I'm amazed at the progress Dan has made in the shop and the outbuildings. Dan is one of a few true craftsmen left in this world. Jessica, with her hard work and artistic finesse has transformed the house into a cozy, welcoming home … you can be assured this property will be a showplace in a short time,” said Snyder.
In its previous location, Urban Timber transformed a blighted piece of land on Bay Boulevard in Chula Vista into a hub for an artistic and sustainable-minded community where trees came to be upcycled and people came to turn imagination into reality. Through partnerships with the city, word of mouth, and a network of tree-lovers, the business amassed a beautiful collection of logs that would have otherwise gone to the woodchipper but instead were turned into custom furniture, shelving, siding, benches, sculptures, and even a one-of-a-kind Fender guitar called the “Timbercaster.”
“We are so thankful to be here in Campo,” Van Arsdale said. “It feels like our future came and got us, and took us here, to a place we can stay and call home, and retire someday.”
But retirement is way off for the couple, who have big plans for their new home. Now that all the wood has been transported from Chula Vista to Campo—a feat that took two weeks, five 38-foot dump trucks, and several 48-foot flatbeds—Herbst said they will “put down good roots and branch out.”
“Maybe we can have demonstrations, tours, info sessions, workshops, art classes. We want to host landscape architects, designers, builders. Soon we’ll create a living catalogue of our landscape design materials. We want to put all this material and space to use,” said Van Arsdale.
There’s redwood from Balboa Park, bunya-bunya from UCSD, various eucalyptus that had to be cut down due to age or development, and much more. Herbst is also looking forward to the opportunity to use wood from fallen oaks, which he couldn’t use while in the city: oak can’t be transported due to spread of oak borer beetles. He had heard of oak removals around the county but had not been able to salvage them. Now he can collect local fallen oaks and dry them in his kiln to kill the bugs before using the wood.
For now clients can visit Urban Timber by invitation; eventually the wood catalogue will be organized in a more shop-ready format, or possibly showcased locally in partnership with Campo businesses, so customers can see what’s available. With kilns and mills on site, logs can be dried, cut, and fashioned for various purposes. Lumber and cut pieces are also still for sale at Urban Timber’s separate woodshop location on Industrial Boulevard in Chula Vista, where the business will continue to maintain a presence as it transitions to home-based in Campo.
Van Arsdale is especially excited about forging partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Liberty Rising Healing Sanctuary of Boulevard came to the property to set the right vibe for moving in, and Rose Acre Farms was also on the welcoming committee. They’ve met their neighbor who keeps a donkey and rides his horse to visit friends, and befriended staff at East County Lumber and Feed.
“We want to do this in a considerate way,” said Dan. “We’re not coming here with deep pockets and a splashy mansion. We want to stay in rhythm with nature. The first step in permaculture is observation.”
As Urban Timber gets its footing in Campo, Van Arsdale and Herbst see the business as an integral part of the town’s economy.
“But I think we’ll need a new name,” Van Arsdale said. “Not-So-Urban Timber?”
By Karen Pearlman
Photo, left, by Miriam Raftery: El Cajon's downtown district
March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – A new city vibe is expected to come to the more than 100-year-old city of El Cajon.
Earlier this month, the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting a safe and prosperous downtown El Cajon, announced that it had hired New City America to lead a renewal effort in the area.
The group that helped revitalize Little Italy is being tapped to be executive director of the group and work to make downtown El Cajon a vibrant community hub.
The final contract – set in an original request for bid for $150,000 annually -- has not been signed yet, said Downtown El Cajon Business Partners Board Member and Treasurer Cathy Zeman (photo, right).
New City America is a nationally recognized urban revitalization firm that among other things, helped transform the Little Italy area in San Diego into a vibrant and popular destination. It did similar work in Chula Vista’s historic Third Avenue district, launching new public events and improvements.
Downtown El Cajon Business Partners is a group that is funded through a Property-Based Improvement District authorized by the city of El Cajon in 2015 to support downtown improvements via assessments made on property owners.
The Partners is a not-for-profit organization made up of local businesses and other stakeholders who want to improve the downtown area. It manages the PBID funds for about 300 parcels with a budget around $560,000 and among other things, coordinates the car show.
Once the contract is finalized in the coming weeks, New City America President Marco Li Mandri (photo, left) will serve as Executive Director of the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners.
The collaboration is expected to reinvigorate the downtown area by attracting new businesses, expanding nightlife opportunities and bringing solutions to those who are experiencing homelessness.
Chris Berg (photo, right), Board Member of Downtown El Cajon Business Partners and Marketing Manager for the city of El Cajon, said the partnership with New City America will be transformative for the city.
“Our business community has long needed a dedicated, experienced leader to unite property owners, merchants and City Hall around a common vision,” Berg said.
In the coming months, Li Mandri and the Partners are expected to engage local merchants and residents to develop an action plan for downtown, including building on the Cajon Classic Cruise.
The weekly car show in downtown El Cajon has got the green light for 2025 and will start its collective engines this Spring, though the season will be shorter than in the past.
Zeman said the show will start its collective engines starting in May.
The full 
schedule for the season is still in the works and should be completed within a few weeks. A noon meeting is scheduled to discuss the car show on Wednesday, April 9, at a site to be determined, she said.
The Cajon Classic Cruise has been a tradition along Main Street since 2001, and has become one of Southern California’s largest weekly car shows.
Photo, left by Karen Pearlman: Vintage autos on display at Cajon Classic Cruise
Every week’s three-hour show is focused on different types of vehicles -- from low riders, trucks and convertibles to Volkswagens to Mustangs and British-focused cars.
But the event has run into some scrutiny recently.
Some business owners in the downtown area have expressed concern to the city that those showing their vehicles were parking in spots that customers needed long before the shows would start at 5 p.m., and it was impacting their businesses.
“We’re trying to put some plans place so that the car show people don’t park or stage too early,” Zeman said. “Businesses don’t want to see the cars parking there at 10 or 11 in the morning.”
Earlier this month, the city of El Cajon held a workshop that addressed that and well as other complaints and concerns.
The workshop stemmed from a city staff report and related discussion October 22, 2024 that included concerns about revenues from PBID assessments, consideration of not renewing the PBID and expanding the PBID boundaries.
The October discussion also included discussion about considering another venue in the city for the car show and concern for the management of the car show.
A city staff report said that the car show “consumes between $72,000 and $80,600 of the PBID’s budget,” and added that in the past two years, the city has received a higher volume of complaints about the car show from businesses located on Main Street.
The staff report said that the city receives a quarterly sales tax report, with part of that report analyzing the downtown area. But it also noted that using sales tax as a metric to determine if businesses generate more sales tax during the car show quarters, the data showed no impact from the car show.
Zeman said the Partners are looking for ways to better monetize the car show. Auto buffs are not charged to show their vehicles at the show, and that won’t change but she said the group is looking for ways to make the event profitable.
By Mike Allen
March 12, 2025 (Santee) -- Kristen Dare, who led the Santee Chamber of Commerce as CEO for the past six years, resigned from the position to take a new job at Waste Management Corp.
In an email sent to chamber members March 3, Chamber Chair Susie Parks said she is grateful for Dare’s decade of experience at the business association. She joined at the nonprofit on St. Patrick’s Day in 2014.
“Under her guidance, we have seen much growth and success even during challenging times. While we will certainly miss Kristen's leadership, we fully understand and support her decision,” Parks said.
Parks, the owner of Coffee Corner on Town Center Parkway, said the chamber is retaining Dare in a consulting capacity as the organization goes through a transition and searches for a new chief executive. Particularly she will assist in the group’s signature spring events and ensure a seamless experience for our Santee business community, she said.
The Santee Chamber, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, has about 250 members and an annual budget of about $350,000, Dare said.
In addition to regular networking events to foster support for local businesses, the chamber puts on annual community events