COLUSA, CA (MPG) — U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, addressed about 30 business and community members Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at Rocco’s Bar & Grill.
The monthly luncheon featured updates from the chamber before introducing LaMalfa as guest speaker.
Jack Cunningham, Chamber CEO announced the hiring of new staff member Anjelica, who will assist with member services, and shared plans to relocate the chamber office to a new uptown Colusa site. The new space is expected to house a visitor center, a local creators’ gift shop, and a business resource center with a Zoom-enabled conference room. Chamber leaders also highlighted their work to expand digital tools, including the recently launched “Community Clicker” mobile app.
LaMalfa, who represents California’s 1st Congressional District and is a fourth-generation farmer, spoke on issues affecting local businesses and agriculture. He discussed rising energy and labor costs, water storage challenges, and the impacts of state and federal regulations on rural communities.
County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, Aug.
21, at Rocco’s Bar & Grill in Colusa. About 30 community
members attended the event. Photo by Lloyd Green Jr.
“Energy is really the core of any serious economy,” LaMalfa said, noting how higher fuel and fertilizer prices have affected farmers and restaurants.
He also criticized state mandates on electric vehicles and renewable energy, saying such policies should be driven by consumer choice rather than government requirements.
Water storage projects, including the proposed Sites Reservoir in Colusa County, were another focus of LaMalfa’s remarks. He said storage is critical to sustaining agriculture and communities through drought cycles.
“The whole idea of a storage system is to ride out those times,” he said.
During a question-and-answer session, attendees asked about topics ranging from immigration enforcement to mandatory solar requirements on new construction. LaMalfa said he supports legal pathways for agricultural workers but stressed the need for border enforcement.
The luncheon concluded with chamber leaders encouraging members to stay engaged with upcoming programs and initiatives.