News Releases

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Joins in Celebrating Issuance of Otay Mesa Port of Entry Presidential Permit

12/08/2008

Today, Monday, December 8, 2008, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ruben Barrales joined public and private sector leaders in a press conference to celebrate the signing of a Presidential Permit for the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Today marks the end of the 15-day public comment period, making the permit final and official.

Speakers included California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of Baja California Jose Guadalupe Osuna, Senator Denise Moreno-Ducheny, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Deputy Federal Highway Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation Kerry O'Hare (representative for U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters), Caltrans Director Will Kempton, and San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ruben Barrales.

The Presidential Permit is a critical step to establish the new U.S./Mexico border crossing at Otay Mesa, an initiative the Chamber has been an advocate of from its inception. This permit provides the necessary commitment by state and federal governments and local agencies required for moving forward with public toll financing. The new port of entry is expected to reduce border wait times for cargo and passenger vehicles and stimulate the state and regional economy by over $31.6 billion in the first 10 years of operation.

"Mexico is California's number one trading partner, and the building of this new border crossing at Otay Mesa is critical to the economic vitality of the region, on both sides of the border," said Barrales. The Chamber was recognized at the press conference for its role in getting the project underway.

Other participants in the press conference included Senator Christine Kehoe, San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox, San Diego Association of Governments Chair Mary Sessom, State of Baja California Secretary of Tourism Oscar Escobedo and Director of Public Relations Juan Tintos, Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alejandra Mier y Teran, and South County Economic Development Council President Dan Biggs.

Founded in 1870, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization with the goal of promoting the business interests of its more than 3,000 member companies, while increasing the international region's prosperity.