Latest news with #RodneyFong
Business Journals
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Comcast says ‘yes' to San Francisco with community partnership
From its dynamic design to its mission-oriented outlook, Yes SF Headquarters screams 'San Francisco.' Located at the intersection of Montgomery and Bush streets in the heart of Downtown San Francisco, the bustling coworking and event space is designed to foster collaboration within the sustainability, small business and innovation communities. The flexible space is the result of an UpLink Challenge launched in 2023 through collaboration between the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum, and corporate sponsors. UpLink is the World Economic Forum's digital platform for entrepreneurs to connect with investors, corporate partners, experts and other organizations that can help them scale. It aims to build ecosystems that enable purpose-driven entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. The UpLink platform served as host for the Yes SF challenge. The challenge called for entrepreneurs to submit sustainable solutions that contribute to the city's needs for an opportunity to receive funding and support. Yes SF Headquarters — a lively community dedicated to revitalizing Downtown San Francisco and modeling the future of sustainable urban living worldwide — was the winning proposal. 'If you want to change the world you need a community, you need a network that are all investing in the future of San Francisco,' said Jeff Merritt, head of urban transformation at the World Economic Forum, at Yes SF's grand opening celebration in November. 'What we've been able to do with this space is actually create an open door for the community.' Yes SF HQ is among the first brick-and-mortar storefronts created in response to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which says cities and human settlements should be inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. From the beginning, the Yes SF team recognized that robust connectivity would be essential if the initiative was to succeed. Comcast stepped up as the connectivity partner, equipping the space with blazing-fast, low-latency business fiber at no cost, as well as its secure networking and cybersecurity solutions. 'Comcast has really helped us in this particular space to help create that digital opportunity for people,' said Rodney Fong, president and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. 'It's tough out there and we want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity from an access perspective.' 'Nowadays, you can't really do anything unless you're connected — unless you're online,' said Alan Goldsmith, California regional vice president at Comcast Business. 'So this is really part of the community initiative to serve those businesses.' The spirit of optimism was on full display at Yes SF HQ on a recent weekday morning as dozens of local innovators gathered for 'Scaling for Success,' a panel and networking event hosted by Comcast Business and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. 'As you think about Small Business Week and the number of events that many of us have attended this week, this is San Francisco every single week,' said Alex Youn, director of public policy and government affairs at Comcast, in his introductory remarks. 'It's always busy. There are always things going on.' The Yes SF partnership is a highly visible demonstration of Comcast's widespread and ongoing commitment to San Francisco. That commitment includes its sustainability. The company recently unveiled new packaging for its Xfinity products that's designed with sustainability and recyclability in mind. Made with 100% recyclable materials and an eco-friendly, water-based ink, the new 'handshake box' (as it's been dubbed) is made in the United States, which cuts down on emissions associated with shipping overseas. 'We are and have to say 'yes' to so many things,' Fong said. ''Yes' to innovation, 'yes' to sustainability, 'yes' in recognizing that climate change is in our backyard, and again, say 'yes' to San Francisco.' Comcast Business offers leading global businesses the technology solutions and forward-thinking partnership they need. With a full suite of solutions including fast, reliable connectivity, secure networking solutions and advanced cybersecurity and a range of managed service options, Comcast Business is ready to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. Comcast Business has been recognized by leading analyst firms for its continued growth, innovation, and leadership, and is committed to partnering with customers to help them drive their businesses forward. To learn more about Comcast in California visit Aaron Welch is a freelance writer.
CBS News
27-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
More San Franciscans believe the city is on the right track than last year, poll says
More San Franciscans are believing the city is now heading in the right direction. That's according to poll results released by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. "The chamber's been doing this poll asking the same questions for 36 consecutive years. This year they're actually trending to the positive. And so, for two years in a row we're starting to see people favor, see favorability and the believe and trust in San Francisco," said Rodney Fong. Rodney Fong is the President and CEO of the Chamber. He said the polling shows 43% of San Franciscans believe the city is on the right track. That's up close to double from last year when only 22% of residents had the same feeling. "This voter confidence in these polls coming back. We're seeing small businesses opening here in San Francisco and the nightlife is starting to pick back up," said Fong. A huge focus for those polled remains on downtown. A majority of San Franciscans, 89%, agreed that a thriving downtown is critical to the region's economy, With 87% saying improving or transforming underused malls and stores should be a top priority. "I feel pretty optimistic about this area and Market Street looks amazing. I feel safer now walking down Market Street," said Paula Lari, a San Franciscan. "I think a lot of people are trying to move things in the right direction, but we have a ways to go for consistency I think across the city," said David Ericksen, who works in the Financial District. "I would say a bunch of the return to office mandates have helped to kind of like make it more lively, but yeah I think it's still not where it was in 2019," said Hansen Qian, a San Franciscan. While the numbers are looking up, the fact remains that a majority of San Franciscans, 56%, still believe the city is on the wrong track. Rodney Fong said he understands the lingering frustration with the city's recovery post-COVID, but truly believes a brighter future is on the horizon. "This whole cycle, this whole ecosystem is so important to keep going. To build the construction of housing and transportation investments all need to keep firing and once we get off kilter, off cycle tough things can happen. So, we need to make sure we're thinking 10 years out and keeping the machine going," said Fong.
