Daily Business Report: Friday, March 7th, 2025
California Governor Orders Return to Office, Recruits Former Federal Workers for State Jobs
By Jane Yang | The Epoch Times
California Governor Gavin Newsom on March 3 ordered state employees to work at least four in-office days per week starting July 1. “In-person work makes us all stronger—period,” Newsom said in a statement Monday. Newsom said the new mandatory work policy would strengthen oversight and accountability, increase responsiveness and coordination, and lead to more effective decision-making. California has 224,000 full-time state workers, Newsom’s executive order said. More than half continued to report to work in-person every day despite the pandemic, and many others have returned to full time in-person work, including peace officers, health care workers, maintenance workers, and safety inspectors. The executive order allows for case-by-case remote work exceptions.
Why Owning a Car Is Getting Almost as Tough as Owning a Home
By Rodd Mann | The Epoch Times
As house prices continue to climb, vehicles are simultaneously getting more expensive in terms of purchase prices, maintenance and parts costs, and auto insurance. The high price of home ownership has increased the number of Americans who no longer qualify for mortgages, but the high cost of vehicle ownership is also beginning to financially challenge—and even shut out—more and more Americans. As of 2024, the average age of vehicles on the road in the United States rose to approximately 13.7 years.
Pandemic-Related Surge Almost three out of four new-vehicle loans featured 60-month terms in Q3 2024, Edmunds reported. The percentage of 84-month (seven year) terms rose to 18 percent in the same quarter.
City Heights Businesses Struggle During Construction Delays
City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) is answering urgent calls for help – and hope – from businesses along University Avenue, which are suffering due to delayed completion of a major street improvement project. To help businesses at risk of imminent closure, the nonprofit organization announced today targeted relief efforts through the University Avenue Business Relief Fund and the University Avenue Shop Local Passport Program.
Currently, there are 22 barricaded storefronts, with construction fencing and machinery along University Avenue. Road detours have driven away foot traffic and revenue. Construction began in January 2023 and was expected to be done in summer 2024. However, the delay has caused four businesses to shutter their storefronts. Others are in the red and may need to close if business does not improve quickly.
While City Heights CDC and local businesses support the long-term benefits of University Avenue Complete Street Phase 1, including speed-reducing infrastructure and pedestrian crosswalks, the organization urges the contractor and the City of San Diego to complete the work on schedule and improve transparency regarding delays.
“Our local businesses along University Avenue are a lifeline for City Heights, providing essential jobs and services while centering our diversity and uniqueness our community is known for,” said Alexis Villanueva, president and CEO of City Heights CDC. “These business owners have endured enormous financial hardship due to construction delays. Through these initiatives — and our upcoming Taste of City Heights event — we’re sending a clear message: We value our local businesses. We stand with you.”
City Heights CDC launched several new initiatives to support participating businesses along University Avenue:
University Avenue Business Relief Fund: This fund will help businesses offset losses and stay open after construction is completed at the end of the month. City Heights CDC is leading efforts to bring investments from private corporations, philanthropy partners and donors.
University Avenue Shop Local Passport Program: City Heights CDC has launched a five-week campaign, ending on Friday, April 12, to encourage visitors to make purchases at participating businesses, collect passport stamps, and win rewards and raffle entries. Customers will receive one stamp per purchase, with 20 stamps qualifying for a grand prize entry — a curated basket of gift cards and local experiences worth over $250. To learn more, visit the event page here. See the full list of participants here.
Taste of City Heights: On Friday, April 12, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., City Heights CDC will host this inaugural event, where attendees can sample food and shop from local vendors. The evening celebration includes delicious bites from local businesses, live entertainment and the announcement of the grand prize University Avenue Shop Local Passport Program winner. More information will be available soon at CityHeightsCDC.org.
“These businesses are more than just storefronts. They are the backbone of City Heights, supporting families and building community,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, District 9. “As they struggle with the impact of construction, we must step up to visit them and show them we care.”
City Heights CDC also runs the City Heights Business Improvement District, which represents more than 500 businesses and property owners along University Avenue dedicated to strengthening small businesses, attracting new businesses, creating new jobs and revitalizing commercial districts in the neighborhood.
For more information on how to support local businesses during construction, visit CityHeightsCDC.org.
