Thanks for Investing in the County of Angels

by Gary Toebben

I often use this column to make the case for important economic development initiatives or to plead for a little common sense from our elected leaders. At other times, I get to say thank you to businesses who have taken steps to improve our community and change lives. Today, I want to highlight three companies who have chosen to invest in our region and to create that most precious of commodities … a job.

Boeing has been a leader in the aerospace industry from its very beginnings, and an engaged corporate citizen in the Los Angeles region. It is exciting in this era of defense cuts that Boeing chose Long Beach as the location for one of its engineering design centers. This center, created to help Boeing remain competitive as the demand for commercial air continues to increase, will create 300 new skilled jobs. Boeing's decision is a signal to businesses everywhere that Los Angeles provides a dynamic workforce and a great place to live and work.

Another well known brand name, Mattel, Inc., has its corporate headquarters in El Segundo. The company that has designed and manufactured popular toys and games for generations of families is bringing a different kind of joy to Southern California. It recently announced that the company will move 100 positions from its Fisher-Price division in New York to El Segundo. The positions will provide marketing, product release planning and other support services to retailers. Every job created or moved to the L.A. region is its own economic development project providing new homeowners, new taxpayers, and new residents to engage and grow our economy.

Our third good news story is from the Chinese carmaker BYD. This company, which opened its North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles in 2010 has opened its first U.S. plant in Lancaster. Workers at this plant will assemble electric buses, while a nearby plant will build the electric batteries and electrical storage modules for the buses. More and more jobs will be created as cities and counties across the nation select electric buses for their "green fleets." These jobs will help drive the economy in the northern most reaches of L.A. County.

The Chamber joins the cities of Long Beach, El Segundo and Lancaster in thanking and commending these business investments by Boeing, Mattel and BYD. These companies know what our region has to offer and they are taking advantage of the opportunities and benefits. We all hope that Boeing, Mattel and BYD’s vision for their companies is the beginning of a trend and a great jobs renaissance for the County of Los Angeles. 

And that's The Business Perspective.