SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS. The Chamber and the U.S. Small Business Administration - Los Angeles District Office honored small businesses that drive our economy on Thursday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. "The one thing we're truly dedicated to — besides good service and great food — is promotion. Hotdogs are just a commodity, so we're constantly trying to build our brand name," said keynote speaker Richard Pink, president of Pink's Hot Dogs, above. Thirteen awards were presented to small businesses, including the Small Business Person of the Year honor to Igor Pasternak, CEO of Worldwide Aeros Corp.

Mayor Villaraigosa and Chamber encourage businesses to "Hire LA's Youth"
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Chamber Board Member Bryan Moeller, Wells Fargo; Kathleen McIntire, Kaiser Permanente; and others to kick off the 2010-11 HIRE LA’s Youth campaign by rallying business leaders to hire youth during an employer engagement breakfast Wednesday at the Chamber. "This year I want to make sure we meet our goal, if I have to pick up the phone and call the right person in your company, that’s what I’ll do," Villaraigosa said. To participate, you must commit to provide a safe, secure and meaningful work site for a young person and provide on-the-job training for six weeks (July 1-Aug. 31). Contact Maria Dolores Nieto, 213.580.7599 or [email protected].

Chamber successfully defeats anti-business proposal at L.A. City Council
The Chamber applauds the L.A. City Council’s vote Tuesday to uphold a 2009 agreement between the business community and City officials. Known as "full-cost recovery," the agreement called for a three-year phase in period for higher overhead fees on land use applications. The Chamber joined building trades unions to oppose a motion introduced by Councilmember Paul Koretz to reverse this agreement and increase fees immediately. "Saddling projects with higher fees now is counterintuitive when there is 40 percent unemployment in the construction industry," said Chamber VP of Public Policy Samuel Garrison. "We applaud the City Council for putting jobs before politics and keeping this agreement intact." Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531 or [email protected].

Leadership L.A. examines at innovations in health care
The Leadership L.A. Class of 2010 discussed the impact national reform has had on L.A.'s local health care providers and practitioners on Friday. "In 2008, $2.5 trillion was spent on health care, yet 45 million Americans still remain uninsured," said Dr. Hector Flores, director, Family Care Specialists Medical Group. Fellows discussed health care perspectives with various stakeholders in the community including Mark Morgan, Anthem Blue Cross, who stressed that the greatest innovation needs in health care reform was collaboration among providers. Fellows also heard from Jennifer Ybarra, program manager, The California Endowment, who reminded the group that "it's not enough to have health insurance. A healthy community shapes an individual's quality of life." Additionally, Lou Calanche, Legacy LA, highlighted key issues that still inhibit quality of life in Ramona Gardens, such as air quality and access to quality food. Read more on Twitter @SCLN or contact Kevin Cottrell, 213.580.7577 or [email protected].

Baxter BioScience to expand and remain in Los Angeles Baxter BioScience recently joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to discuss its decision to continue and expand its business in Los Angeles as a result of the East Los Angeles Enterprise Zone expansion. Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.