SEEKING TO PROMOTE REGIONAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY THE LOS ANGELES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF THE CEO COUNCIL AND THE LAUNCH OF BALANCE CALIFORNIA
More than one hundred regional CEOs and senior level executives have joined or committed to join the CEO Council to seek balance in California’s public policies, economy and business climate
November 15, 2021
by L.A. Area Chamber
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15, 2021 –
With the California economy at a significant post-pandemic crossroads, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced the formation of “The CEO Council”, an advisory group of top business leaders dedicated to bringing balance back to the state’s public policies, encourage the economy and promote a robust business climate. To help address economic recovery The CEO Council will focus on two crucial areas, ensuring affordable housing for middle-income families and building a workforce that is prepared for the good-paying jobs of the future.
More than one hundred regional CEOs and senior level executives representing the diversity of industries in the Los Angeles region have currently joined the advisory council and are committed to promoting and engaging in Balance California, a new initiative launched by the L.A. Area Chamber to unify business leadership and advance discussions and policies which ensure our region remains globally competitive. Additional partners of the Balance California initiative include the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and the Orange County Business Council. All are focused on ensuring California’s diverse communities benefit from their work leading to increased employment opportunities and social mobility.
“The need for a strong rebound and equitable recovery of California’s economy is critical to the future of our region, an issue so important it brought together more than one hundred CEOs to engage and contribute,” said Raul A. Anaya, Board Chair of the L.A. Area Chamber and President of Bank of America in Greater Los Angeles. “With the lack of affordable housing for middle-income families and challenges in hiring a prepared workforce, it is important to mobilize business leaders and do something different and create opportunities for all Californians.”
For many years, California’s business environment has been recognized nationally as one of the most challenging for businesses. Permanent closures have resulted from a combination of the pandemic and hiring and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, an unfriendly business environment has led to hundreds of businesses moving to other states with more welcoming business environments, good schools, lower or no state taxes, streamlined regulatory and permitting processes, and housing that is more affordable for middle-income families.
All are hampering California’s competitiveness in the national and global marketplace and there is little balance when it comes to legislative debate and discussion regarding the needs of business. Business wants to be part of the solution to our region’s most pressing challenges. By unifying business leadership, the greater Los Angeles region can drive the change that is needed.
“Balance California is a long-term commitment to unify business leadership and collaborate with government and community stakeholders to begin to effectively address the challenges of the region,” said Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. “More than one hundred business leaders have coalesced together with a unified voice to say we must take advantage of the opportunity to work together to ensure the region remains competitive and attractive to job growth so that families and communities can thrive. The time for change is now.”
The CEO Council will serve in an advisory capacity to the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce to ensure there is a collective voice that provides meaningful results for the community at large. By unifying business leadership, the greater Los Angeles region can drive the change that is needed.