A former Lemon Grove city administrator has launched separate Chambers of Commerce in Lemon Grove and El Cajon to promote business growth in East County, but local groups question whether the area’s economy can support his model.
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Portland Bates resigned from his role as senior management analyst for Lemon Grove in May and recently incorporated the Lemon Grove and El Cajon Chambers of Commerce as separate organizations, aiming to attract new businesses to both cities.
“East County business communities have outgrown traditional chamber models,” said Bates, the sole employee of both groups. “We’re bridging the gap between municipal government, private capital and community needs.”
At first, his plan was only to create a chamber for Lemon Grove — where Bates lived for most of his childhood — but he said he noticed a “gap” in El Cajon and decided to simultaneously incorporate a business group there.
Lemon Grove is home to more than 400 registered businesses, according to city records. El Cajon has roughly 4,000 registered business establishments, according to recent census data.
The region’s leading business group is the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, which was established in 1912. Many local business groups have launched in the area, such as the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.
Lemon Grove’s new chamber operates alongside a separate new nonprofit organization — dubbed the Lemon Grove Chamber Foundation — which Bates said will fund community initiatives and civic improvement projects.
Notably, the chamber offers high-tier funding memberships that range from $295 to $25,000 a year. That’s substantially more than fees charged by previously existing groups; membership dues for the East County Chamber range from $430 to $5,000 per year. Membership for the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce ranges from $200 to $2,500 per year, depending on the tier.
The El Cajon Chamber of Commerce is formally incorporated but doesn’t have a running website, but Bates said it will follow a similar membership structure. The higher cost will come with greater benefits to members, such as individualized mentorship and help with administrative tasks, he said.
In a written statement, East County Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wilson said he was aware of the two new chambers, but did not comment further.
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“As a regional Chamber, we often partner and do many things with other Chambers of Commerce throughout East County and San Diego County and plan to continue to do that,” Wilson said.
At the same time, Bates’ unconventional model has drawn pushback from local business groups. The Lemon Grove Business Group, a nonprofit organization founded in 2024, has led economic development efforts in the area since its creation.
John Sepulvado was one of the Lemon Grove Business Group’s founders. He was working with Bates to create Lemon Grove’s chamber before the two split, primarily due to disagreements over operational structure.
“Lemon Grove can’t support a membership business model,” Sepulvado said. “We (Lemon Grove businesses) don’t need marketing, we need our roadways fixed.”
Since its origin, Sepulvado said the business group has had “significant success” at filling vacant storefronts and connecting local businesses with resources and the community.
In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow said she is optimistic about the city’s economic development, but largely credited the Lemon Grove Business Group for current and future improvements. City leaders are actively updating their plan to redevelop the downtown corridor, in hopes of increasing housing density and drawing new businesses.
Despite pushback, Bates said he is confident the two chambers will deliver “measureable results.”
The two chambers are in the early stages and have yet to draw membership. State law also requires the entities to establish a functioning board of directors and publish formal bylaws within 90 days of incorporation.
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