L.A. Area Chamber Partners with City of L.A. and Leading Research Universities to Launch Clean Tech Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce today joined Antonio Villaraigosa, leading research universities and fellow business organizations to announce the public launch of CleanTech Los Angeles, a collaborative effort to establish Los Angeles as a global hub of clean technology. The first-of-its-kind partnership aims to leverage the city’s economic assets to bring clean tech businesses and jobs to the region.

“Today, the City is standing with the world-class academic institutions of Los Angeles and our dynamic business community to stake a claim as a global leader in the clean and green technologies that will drive the 21st century economy,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “From R&D to manufacturing to design, this partnership taps into the creative assets and innovative spirit of our City to foster new industry and spur job growth.”

Signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding are Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California Institute of Technology President Jean-Lou Chameau, University of California Los Angeles Chancellor Gene Block, University of Southern California President Steven Sample, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Toebben, Los Angeles County Economic Development President Bill Allen, and Los Angeles Business Council President Mary Leslie.

"Clean technology is one of the bright spots in our future economy," said Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. "The L.A. Area Chamber is pleased to work with the City of Los Angeles and other partners to help make Southern California the hub of the emerging clean tech sector and the jobs and economic growth associated with it."

The mission of CleanTech Los Angeles is to establish the Los Angeles region as a global leader in research, commercialization, production, and deployment of clean technologies as well as to promote the development of capital, talent, and workforce to drive these new technologies. CleanTech Los Angeles will focus on four key areas: Testing, R&D, and Commercialization; Advocacy for Funds; Education and Outreach; and Economic Development Strategy. The partnership is currently working together on initiatives such as www.cleantechla.org, the California Climate Change Institute, the CleanTech Manufacturing Center, and the Clean Technology Research Center. Planned future programs include the CleanTech Corridor, advocacy for federal and state funding, and greater collaborations and partnerships.

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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.