From advocating for small businesses at the State Capitol to celebrating ribbon cuttings, welcoming new members, and even riding aboard a historic steam locomotive, it was an exciting and eventful week for our Chamber community.

 

This week was particularly busy on the advocacy front. On Monday, we attended a press hearing for Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen in Sacramento. Assembly Member Nguyen touched on how AB 2607 proposes key enhancements to a state-backed loan program designed to help small businesses finance accessibility improvements required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill would increase the maximum loan amount from $50,000 to $250,000, extend repayment terms, and allocate additional funding to support broader participation. These changes aim to make it more feasible for small businesses and commercial property owners to complete necessary upgrades such as accessible entrances, restrooms, and parking.

By expanding access to capital, AB 2607 helps businesses proactively address compliance requirements, reduce exposure to costly litigation, and invest in long-term improvements. While the program provides critical financing support, loans must still be repaid and are limited to ADA-related projects.

 

On Tuesday, a few of our regional Chambers attended a Legislative Briefing hosted by the California State Treasurer’s Office. This was an insightful presentation, sharing resources for the business community such as CalSavers, a state-mandated retirement program enabling California workers to save through automatic payroll contributions from their workplace. Make sure to visit their website to learn more about the programs and resources could be of benefit to your business!

 

We’ve also recently updated our website to showcase our collaborative UCAN Bill Tracker. Make sure to check it out to see what bills we are currently following!

 

Continuing Q2's strong start, the membership team welcomed 15 business owners to EDG (Entrepreneur Development Group). This mastermind-format group is led by Brian Gladden, CEO of Strategy & Innovation Institute and Marcie Shelton, owner of The Leader's Partner and helps small business owners and entrepreneurs work through their challenges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They celebrated two businesses with ribbon cuttings— Vivayka Consulting, LLC on Wednesday and Alina Voronenko Agency on Thursday— and welcomed five new members to the Chamber this week:

• Solutions Multiplied
• All Clutter Aside
• GVM Law LLP
• All Stage Canine Development
• New Flow Plumbing and Rooter Inc

 

And what an incredible morning on Friday to close out the week! I had an opportunity to ride aboard the legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest steam locomotive from Sacramento to Roseville as part of Union Pacific's coast-to-coast steam tour celebrating 250 years of American independence and innovation.

Thank you to Chamber Board Chair and Union Pacific Railroad AVP, Public Affairs - West Adrian Guerrero, and also Union Pacific Railroad CEO Jim Vena.

Big Boy 4014 is now on display for public viewing in Roseville on Friday, April 10 from 1pm to 5pm and Saturday, April 11 from 9am to 3pm, so don't miss your chance to see the locomotive while its still here! (There is no public access outside of these hours.)

 

The same morning, members of our Ignite Young Professionals group had the opportunity to tour the Western Placer Waste Management Authority’s new high-diversion Materials Recovery Facility. The group got a behind-the-scenes look at how nearly 2 million pounds of Western Placer’s waste is sorted each day, recovering valuable recyclable and compostable materials. Attendees learned how WPWMA is turning waste into a resource through innovation like the “One Big Bin,” while supporting economic development and helping our region meet important environmental and regulatory goals. It was a fascinating look at the systems working every day to keep Placer County clean and sustainable.

 

We’re excited to announce that Sadie St. Lawrence will serve as the keynote speaker for Placer Valley 2026. A leading voice in AI, robotics, and the future of work, she is the founder of Women in Data and leads the Human Machine Collaboration Institute. Having educated over 700,000 learners through organizations like UC Davis and Coursera, Sadie brings powerful insights on how humans and intelligent machines can work together to shape the future.

Don’t forget your nominations for the 2026 Placer Valley Business Awards. We’re seeking candidates for Young Professional of the Year, Entrepreneur Award, and Business Person of the Year, with a special need for strong Entrepreneur Award nominees. Submit your nominations HERE by April 28, 2026.

Early bird ticket pricing ends on April 11—secure your spot HERE!