20-Year USC Plan Passes L.A. City Council - Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

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	COMING UP AT THE CHAMBER



	FRI \| Jan. 4 Health Care Council more info & register FRI \| Jan. 8 Transportation & Goods Movement Council more info & register TUE \| Jan. 11 Education & Workforce Development Council more info & register WED \| Jan. 17 Government & Fiscal Affairs Council more info & register View all upcoming events on our Web Calendar.

	OVERHEARDS



	"The goal is not to have the best players on the court, but the best students who happen to play basketball." —NCAA President Mark Emmert at the Power Hour Series on Wednesday at the Chamber.

20-YEAR USC PLAN PASSES L.A. CITY COUNCIL
On Tuesday, the L.A. City Council unanimously certified the Environmental Impact Review for the University of Southern California University Park Campus Specific Plan, approving a transformational project that will bring 12,600 jobs and nearly $5 billion in economic impact to the community. "This 20-year blueprint is a thoughtful plan that integrates the needs of the residents, students, business community and the region as a whole,” said Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben at the Council meeting. The USC Specific Plan will create construction jobs, much needed student housing and new dining and retail options for the university and surrounding community. Contact Tina Hossain, 213.580.7531.

Chamber advocates on behalf of business community at AQMD
Last Friday the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) approved its 2012 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), which provides an outline of how the five-county region will attain federal air quality standards. While the AQMP contained regulations that go above and beyond what is legally required, the Chamber helped lead a business coalition in successfully advocating for the temporary exclusion of port-related regulations that would have jeopardized job and economic growth in the region. AQMD staff also supported Chamber recommendations aimed at improving the development of future plans and rule-making, including longer timelines, the formation of a business advisory committee and requiring an independent review of economic impact analyses. Contact Frank Lopez, 213.580.7573.

Help students access Cash for College
The Chamber's Cash for College team is recruiting volunteers to help high school seniors fill out financial aid applications during the Super Saturday workshops held throughout L.A. County on Jan. 26. Volunteers from all backgrounds are welcome and the Chamber will provide you with the training needed. Learn more or contact Paola Santana, 213.580.7586.

Seeking nominations for Small Business Awards
The U.S. Small Business Administration - Los Angeles District Office, in collaboration with the Chamber, is currently accepting nominations for business awards for local small business owners and business champions including the 2013 Small Business Person of the Year Award for National Small Business Week. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Jan. 3. Apply now or contact Patrick Rodriguez, 818.552.3222.


	Chamber member celebrates 20th anniversary Congratulations to the Community Financial Resource Center (CFRC) for celebrating their 20th anniversary on Tuesday at an event hosted by the Southern California Gas Company, a Sempra Energy utility. The CFRC is a nonprofit community development financial institution, offering comprehensive and innovative ways to build wealth for underserved residents and small businesses in L.A. County. Above, Forescee Hogan-Rowles, president & CEO of CFRC. Click here to submit your member good news.


	CHAMBER OPPORTUNITY





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	ISSUES OF INTEREST



	Convention Center public private partnership moves forward On Wednesday, the L.A. City Council voted 14-1 to move forward with a plan to find a private operator for the Los Angeles Convention Center. Proposals are due in the spring and Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana hopes to have the new governance structure and operator in place by July 2013. These changes were recommended by the Chamber during ACCESS L.A. City Hall in October. A private operator will save money and allow the City to focus on core functions. The Council also approved moving forward with recommending booking policy changes that will hopefully bring more conventions to Los Angeles. Mayor's Innovation Council releases report A year ago Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed 25 entrepreneurs to create the Los Angeles Mayor's Council on Innovation & Industry (LAMCII) to figure out why the City is struggling to attract innovative businesses. The recently released report and recommendations dig into how the City can reshape our narrative, grow capital, change policy, increase the network and tap into education to change perceptions. The Chamber is engaging with LACMII to work on implementing the recommendations to foster Los Angeles as a center for innovation and technology.

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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is the voice 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

Thursday | Dec. 13, 2012