Soledad Chamber secures nearly $400K for employee training
SOLEDAD — Soledad Chamber of Commerce was awarded nearly $400,000 from the California Employment Training Panel on May 29.
The funds will directly reimburse Chamber members for qualifying employee training expenses, boosting workforce skills and economic growth in the region.
“This grant is a massive win for our business community and our workforce,” said Maria Corralejo, executive director of the Soledad Chamber of Commerce. “By offsetting the costs of professional development, we are removing financial barriers for our members.”
Corralejo added, “This funding allows local businesses to invest in their teams and grow without stretching their budgets. We encourage every eligible business owner to attend our informational session and see how these dollars can work for them.”
The Chamber of Commerce will host an informational meeting and Q&A session at Cruz de Madera Taproom at 148 Main St. on Friday, June 19, at 2 p.m. The meeting will outline eligibility and the reimbursement process for local business owners, who will also have the opportunity to ask specific questions.
Business owners have until June 12 to register. Those interested can email in**@************er.com with ETP Meeting RSVP as the subject.
Pet vaccination clinic coming to Gonzales
GONZALES — SPCA Monterey County will host a low-cost pet vaccination clinic in Gonzales on Saturday, June 13.
The walk-in clinic will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gonzales Police Department, 109 Fourth St.
Services will be available for cats and dogs 8 weeks and older. Vaccines will cost $25 each, and deworming treatments will be available for $5. The clinic will offer rabies, FVRCP and DAPPi vaccines, as well as microchips.
No appointment is required. Organizers ask that dogs be kept on leashes and cats transported in secure carriers. The clinic is open to Monterey County residents only, and Spanish-language assistance will be available.
More information is available at spcamc.org/vax.
Blood donors honored ahead of World Blood Donor Day
MONTEREY COUNTY — Vitalant is recognizing blood donors ahead of World Blood Donor Day on June 14 and encouraging eligible residents to give blood to help maintain supplies for local hospitals and patients.
The nonprofit blood provider noted that blood is needed year-round, with someone in the United States requiring a transfusion every two seconds. Donors of all blood types are needed, though type O blood and platelet donations remain in particularly high demand because of their broad compatibility and specialized medical uses.
As a thank-you, donors who schedule an appointment using code JUNEGIFT-2026-V and donate during June will receive a $15 Donor Rewards gift card.
An upcoming Monterey County blood drive is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Salinas Family YMCA in Salinas. Vitalant said the event is one of more than two dozen community blood drives held each week across the region. Donors may also give blood at any of the organization’s four Central Coast donation centers.
Appointments can be made through Vitalant’s website vitalant.org, mobile app or by calling 877-258-4825.
