San Diego East County EDC

?? Protect Your Email & Business from Cyber Threats! ?? Cybercriminals are targeting small businesses, non-profits, and professionals with phishing scams, ransomware, and data breaches. Don’t let your organization be the next victim! Join San Diego East County EDC, in partnership with the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network, for a FREE webinar on Email Safety & Data Protection, featuring expert speakers: ???? Joseph Schiffman – Cyber Security Manager, San Diego Regional Cyber Lab ???? W. Patrick McGarry – Sales Executive, Xceptional ???? Mike Olivier – Cybersecurity Business Advisor, San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network ???? Ed Kelly – Enterprise Sales & Cyber Advocate, Cox Business ?? April 3, 2025 | ? 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | ?? Online ?? Spot phishing scams & malware ?? Best security practices for businesses ?? Live cyber threat demo & expert Q&A ?? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gTsF_Nqu #CyberSecurity #SmallBusiness #DataProtection #CyberThreats #SBDC #EastCountyEDC #FreeWebinar

Mark your calendars for March 12th! We're excited to partner with the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce Veteran East County Alliance, chaired by Susan Roberts-Egley, to provide valuable insights to our Veteran-Owned Businesses. Learn more about the San Diego East County EDC and the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network. Thank you to our food sponsor Neighborhood Healthcare! Don’t forget to register for catering purposes! Expect great food, insightful information, and fantastic networking. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gafq8Q-f

Join the San Diego East County EDC led by our Board Chair Bryan Shull and CEO and President James Sly for a powerful morning of networking, insights, and collaboration as we bring together key leaders shaping workforce development and regional growth. ?? Date: Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 ? Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM ?? Location: Grossmont College 8800 Grossmont College Dr, El Cajon, CA 92020 ?? Featured Speakers & Topics: ?? Dan Denham, General Manager, San Diego County Water Authority – Get valuable updates on critical initiatives impacting our region. ?? Debbie Barnum, SCPM, Founder & Barry Jantz, Government Affairs & Community Relations, WorkforceConnect– Learn about their partnership with Cajon Valley Union School District, the success of the pre-apprenticeship program and how the district is expanding pathway programs to strengthen workforce development. ?? East County EDC Team – Discover details about our new Employment Training Panel contract and how it will directly benefit manufacturers and fuel regional economic growth. ? Why Attend? ? Gain insights from influential leaders on workforce and economic development. ? Learn how education, industry, and government partnerships are shaping the future. ? Connect with top East County leaders & local businesses. ? Enjoy a delicious breakfast while networking. ?? Register Now! https://lnkd.in/gSygqiCv RSVP today to secure your spot and ensure catering accommodations! This is a must-attend event for anyone invested in workforce development, business growth, and regional prosperity. We look forward to seeing you there! ?? Have questions? Reach out Angela Nagel #EastCounty #WorkforceDevelopment #Manufacturing #Leadership #Education #EconomicGrowth

??? Empowering Women In Business! ??? On Monday, the San Diego East County EDC had the privilege of once again partnering with the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce for their second Women in Business event, led by the incredible Amanda Daugherty, J.D. ?? The room was filled with inspiring business owners and professionals, all eager to grow and connect! ?? ?? Angela Nagel kicked things off with an insightful overview of the key areas of growth attendees are striving to achieve. ?? Meri Birhane, MBA, MPH followed with highlights on upcoming San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network trainings and events, designed to help business owners reach their goals. ?? Amanda Flisher wrapped up the event by sharing her expertise on leadership and personal growth, leaving everyone with valuable takeaways to apply in their professional journeys. ?? This empowering series is held monthly on the 1st Monday at JewelrywithFriends—don't miss your chance to be part of the next one! Follow us and the Chamber to stay updated and sign up! #WomenInBusiness #Networking #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #EastCountySD #WomenEntrepreneurs #SmallBusinessSuccess

?? Empowering Our Local Manufacturers! ?? Last week, we had the honor of hosting our Manufacturing Lunch & Learn, bringing together engaged businesses eager to take advantage of exciting new opportunities! ?? Workforce Upskilling with Employment Training Panel (ETP) We kicked off the event where James Sly Sarah Gyselbrecht Jo Marie Diamond and Angela Nagel introduced our $643K Employment Training Panel (ETP) contract—a state-funded program designed to upskill our workforce. We've already injected $100K+ into three local manufacturers through our last contract to help them recover training costs and strengthen their teams, and we’re ready to scale this impact even further! ? Energy Efficiency & Technology Advancement Next, we highlighted initiatives supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help manufacturers enhance energy efficiency and stay ahead of advancing technologies through smart manufacturing training programs and grants for equipment upgrades. ?? Made in California We also introduced the Made in California initiative, a state-funded partnership with CMTC that helps businesses certify their products as “Made in California”, boosting their brand and marketability. ?? Small Business Support from SBDC Finally, we heard from Meri Birhane, MBA, MPH, Director of the East County San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network, who shared valuable no-cost workshops and business advisory services available through the Center. A huge thank you to everyone who attended! We’re excited to see our manufacturers take advantage of these incredible opportunities to grow, innovate, and thrive. ??? If you were unable to attend and interested in learning about any of these exciting programs, please reach out to Angela Nagel, #ManufacturingGrowth #ETPTraining #MadeInCalifornia #WorkforceDevelopment #SmallBusinessSupport #EastCountyManufacturing

We are so proud of our East County San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network Director, Meri Birhane, MBA, MPH, for being recognized at the Black Leaders of Influence event last night. It’s a privilege to have Meri on our team, and we’re inspired by the incredible impact she’s making in our region. Congratulations, Meri!

?? Exciting Events Alert! ?? East County EDC and the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network are proud to partner with the San Diego EastCounty Chamber Of Commerce to support two incredible programs: Women in Business and the Veteran East County Alliance! Both programs are dedicated to fostering business growth and community support. ?? Join us at one or both events! ??Women in Business ?? March 3, 2025 | ? 4:00 – 5:30 PM ?? Register Here-https://conta.cc/3D90P6j ??Veteran East County Alliance Luncheon ?? March 12, 2025 | ? 12:30 – 2:00 PM ?? Register Here-https://conta.cc/3Xcjghm Don’t miss these opportunities to connect, learn, and grow! See you there! ?? #WomenInBusiness #VeteranSupport #EastCountyNetworking #BusinessGrowth

?? Manufacturers: Don’t Miss Our Lunch & Learn on February 27, 2025! Manufacturers, you're invited to join us for an exclusive Lunch & Learn on Thursday, February 27, 2025! This event, hosted by San Diego East County EDC in partnership with the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network and the Employment Training Panel, is designed to help manufacturers unlock valuable resources and funding opportunities. ?? Success Story: Hear how we recently issued a $90,000 reimbursement to a local company—and learn how you can be the next big check recipient! ?? Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! We look forward to seeing you there! Register today! https://lnkd.in/gE9rprPC James Sly Angela Nagel Jo Marie Diamond Sarah Gyselbrecht Meri Birhane, MBA, MPH Robert Meyer Rebecca Eusey

Celebrating #WorkforceDevelopment with GKN Aerospace! We were thrilled to present GKN Aerospace with a check for just under $94,000 to upskill their current employees through our Employment Training Panel (ETP) contract. GKN Aerospace continues to create new jobs and provide growth opportunities for their workforce—keep up the fantastic work! GKN Aerospace Business Unit Director David Orth shared: "We are ecstatic that, through the support of the East County EDC's Employment Training Panel (ETP) contract, we can provide growth opportunities for our workers using the funds from the State program. Additionally, with East County EDC's assistance, we secured our own ETP State contract for $785,000. This funding will enable us to train and develop our employees, enhancing customers service and ensuring that air travel is safer and more sustainable." Want to be the next company holding the big check? Manufacturers sign up for our upcoming Manufacturing Lunch and Learn, where we’ll guide you through how to take advantage of this incredible program. ?? Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 ? Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM ?? Location: Testo Pepesto ???221 E Main St, El Cajon, CA ?? Registation Link-https://lnkd.in/dSrttDF5 Contact Angela Nagel for more information! #manufacturing #workforcedevelopment #collabortation #economicdevelopment James Sly Sarah Gyselbrecht Aaron Parkinson Amelia Desiderio Christine Blessum

??Yesterday, the East County EDC was proud to partner with the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce to kick off their new Women in Business Program at Ruby's Jewelry with Friends at Grossmont Center! ??? The room was filled with inspiring women supporting each other and eager to grow. We shared info about our organization, Angela Nagel shared her journey to success, and Meri Birhane, MBA, MPH gave an overview of the free services and training our San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network offers. The feedback was incredible, and we’re excited to shape future events based on the areas of growth participants want to explore. Missed the first event? Don’t worry – the next one is on March 3rd! Don’t miss the chance to network, learn, grow, and empower women-owned businesses. Click ?? to register for the next event! https://lnkd.in/gESY-Rxb #WomenInBusiness #EastCountyEDC #EastCountyChamberofCommerce #EmpowerWomen #SupportSmallBusiness #WomenSupportingWomen