Revitalizing California Media Planet | 19-Jul-2010
Revitalizing California One of the largest reports ever published about Economic Development will be distributed within the Los Angeles Times on July 16th in a distribution of 650,000 copies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the national unemployment rate is 9.9 percent and Los Angeles County alone is 12.3 percent. This, combined with the growing California deficit, is more than enough reason to enact a plan for change and growth. There are economic development plans in effect on a local and regional level but, unless we create awareness of these strategies, we can’t enact them. Additionally, business owners must be educated on the resources already available to them so that they can work more closely with their local cities and economic development agencies. The growth of business means the creation of jobs and the improvement of our communities.
Organizations involved:
California Association for Local Economic Development – The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) is the premier statewide professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members’ ability to achieve excellence in delivering economic development services to their communities and business clients. CALED's membership consists of public and private organizations and individuals involved in economic development: the business of creating and retaining jobs.
California Redevelopment Association – The California Redevelopment Association was established as a not-for-profit organization in 1979. Its name was changed to the California Redevelopment Association Foundation and an affiliated not-for-profit trade association called the California Redevelopment Association was formed in December, 2006. These two affiliated organizations (hereafter referred to as CRA) represent redevelopment agencies and allied firms throughout the state of California in responding to legislative proposals and administrative regulations, providing member services, conducting training and professional development events, and providing public information regarding redevelopment law and activities. CRA is comprised of over 350 redevelopment agencies. In addition, CRA's associate members include more than 300 private sector companies such as financial institutions, redevelopment consultants, developers, and law firms that are involved in the redevelopment process.
California Governor's Office of Economic Development – The Governor's Office of Economic Development (GoED) was created by Executive Order as a one-stop shop for business assistance and to facilitate and stimulate economic growth through the development and implementation of strategic policies and partnerships with the private sector, community, local, and national organizations that enhance human and capital infrastructure as well as increase California’s competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Beacon Economics – Beacon Economics specializes in quantitative and qualitative macroeconomic research and analysis. We help our clients forecast the economy, forecast revenues, evaluate markets and industries, calculate risk, measure results, assess and develop economic development programs, and evaluate and inform public policy. Our economists and researchers employ proprietary models and sophisticated data and survey techniques to unearth real and usable insights that can guide everything from investment strategies to development and growth plans to public policy. We also specialize in regional economies and bring deep professional and academic expertise to analyzing the demographics, employment, business trends, quality of life, and other indicators of a geographic area to assess its future, its strengths, and weaknesses. We work with clients as on-going advisors or on a project-by-project basis.
Victor Valley Economic Development Authority – The communities that comprise Victor Valley are located along I-15, the primary transportation corridor and interstate commerce route. Citing lower operating costs as a primary reason major companies, including several Fortune 500 companies, have located facilities in Victor Valley. You can receive a confidential operating cost comparison report specific to your company. Employers are benefiting from an expanding and skilled workforce. The region's population is expected to grow at a faster rate than the US. There are a large number of prime industrial and commercial properties available for development. Potential for retail sales will continue to expand with Victor Valley's growing market population, the increasing number of households and rising household incomes. Learn more about Retail Market Opportunities in the updated Retail Market Analysis Report (Feb. 2008). The Victor Valley communities encourage and support business development and responsible growth. We would be happy to provide you with a site location proposal.
City of Santa Clarita, California – Named the “Most Business Friendly City in Los Angeles County,” (Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation) there are many advantages to locating your business in Santa Clarita. From the tax-saving benefits of the Enterprise Zone to the new one-stop permitting center at City Hall, doing business in Santa Clarita is simple and has many benefits.
Cerritos College Economic Development – Cerritos College Economic Development was established to meet the training and educational needs of business and industry. Our training development specialists will work with you to put all of the resources of Cerritos College at your fingertips, functioning as your "ad-hoc" training department, helping your in-house staff assess needs and developing programs.
City of Burbank, California – The City of Burbank has a pro-business attitude reflected in its simple and competitive tax structure with no city income tax or gross receipts tax. Burbank operates its own police and fire service with response times among the fastest in Los Angeles County. Water and electric services are managed through Burbank Water and Power (BWP), which boast exceptional electrical reliability performing 300% to 500% better than California's three investor-owned utilities.
Port of Los Angeles – The Port of Los Angeles, Southern California's gateway to international commerce, is located in San Pedro Bay, just 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. This booming seaport not only sustains its competitive edge with record-setting cargo operations, but is also known for its groundbreaking environmental initiatives, progressive security measures and diverse recreational and educational facilities. The Port of Los Angeles is a department of the City of Los Angeles and is often referred to as the Los Angeles Harbor Department. The Port is operated and managed under a State Tidelands Trust that grants local municipalities jurisdiction over ports and stipulates that activities must be related to commerce, navigation and fisheries. A five-member Board of Harbor Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council to provide direction and create policy for the Port.
City of Santa Fe Springs, California – The City of Santa Fe Springs is 8.7 square miles in size. It is a pro-businesses community which has steadily grown into one of the key industrial cities of Southern California. Approximately 90% of the City is zoned for commercial and industrial use. Its progressive local government practices are designed to avoid red tape while maintaining a safe and productive environment. That is why 3,500 businesses call Santa Fe Springs home and eight out of ten businesses have operated in the community for more than 15 years. Yet, Santa Fe Springs isn't all about business. It is a city with great civic participation and 98 acres of attractive recreation space, at 19 park sites, with miles of green belts.
City of Covina, California – The Community Development Department works to improve the quality of life of Covina's residents and the appearance of the City. We strive to abate blight and decay by promoting the safe and orderly development and revitalization of the community using acceptable planning strategies, and code enforcement practices.
City of South Gate, California – In South Gate, opportunity is not just a word - it represents a way of life. Back in the early 1920's the people who founded the City of South Gate chose "opportunity" to express what this new city would provide to those who came here. Today in the "Azalea City," residents, businesses and city officials are committed to creating opportunities for all who live, work or play in the "All-America City." As we prepare to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, we are striving to create the ideal community.
Irvine Chamber of Commerce Economic Development – Irvine is the first and most successful planned community in the United States. It is home to some 100 regional, national and international company headquarters. There are over 14,000 U.S. and foreign companies of all sizes in the city.
What, besides the world-renowned Southern California quality of life, attracted these companies to Irvine?
Location - Irvine is approximately half way between Los Angeles and San Diego and only 40 minutes from the Port of Long Beach.
Available Workforce - the city's population doubles to 400,000 during the workday as employees come in from surrounding cities and counties.
Ease of Transportation - John Wayne/Orange County Airport, the 405 and 5 Freeways, the 73 Toll Road, and AMTRAK all border the city.
Corporate Citizens - More than one-third of the Fortune 100 companies have a presence in Irvine. Business clusters include auto design, life sciences, technology and financial services.
Safety - The FBI has named Irvine the "Safest Large City in America" the last five years in a row.
Strength - Business Week magazine named Irvine as one of the "20 Cities Best Suited to Withstand a Recession".
For these reasons and more, Irvine is known as the "Business Capital of Orange County."
City of Clovis, California – In many ways, the Clovis Community and Economic Development Department is like a bridge. Connecting new and existing business owners and operators with city officials, the department is helping to pave the way for the growth and expansion that is making Clovis part of California’s new economic frontier. The primary reason for the success of economic efforts in Clovis is that department officials understand business and business development -- from the initial concept stage all the way to expansion plans for those who have already put down roots here.
