BRINGING FOOTBALL TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. A proposed 600-acre stadium project in the City of Industry could bring $762 million to the local economy — creating more than 6,700 permanent jobs and 12,000 construction jobs, and infusing more than $21 million in annual tax revenue to the region. Chamber Board member John Semcken, Majestic Realty Co., outlined details of this ambitious plan to bring an NFL team to the region during the Occidental Petroleum Power Hour Series Wednesday at the Chamber. The Chamber has been a proponent for bringing the NFL back to Southern California. Above from left, Taylor Talt, Majestic Realty Co.; Semcken; and Chamber Board member Richard Kline, Occidental Petroleum Corp.

Chamber hears from California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer
The state treasurer is responsible for selling the bonds that finance capital improvements and short-term operating costs, which is why it's important to solve the ongoing budget crisis, said current State Treasurer Bill Lockyer on Thursday at the Chamber. Lockyer, who is running for reelection in November, voiced support for Proposition 25, which would lower the requirement for passage of a state budget from a two-thirds legislative majority to a simple majority. Hear from San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, candidate for California Attorney General, on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at the next California Candidates Series. Register now or contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or [email protected].

L.A. City Council to vote on Chamber-supported three-year business tax holiday
The Chamber will testify on Friday in strong support of legislation to establish a three-year gross receipts tax moratorium for all new businesses started in Los Angeles. Currently, the City provides a two-year tax exemption as long as new businesses do not gross more than $500,000 per year. Creating a three-year exemption for every new business is an important step toward making Los Angeles more business-friendly. "We applaud the Mayor and City Council for making this a priority and look forward to partnering on more business tax reforms in the coming months," said Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or [email protected].

Chamber discusses trade relations with Turkish Minister of State
Turkey currently ranks in the top 20 of countries by gross domestic product, but the country aims to be one of the 10 largest economies in the world by 2023. With the economic growth in Turkey, there is great potential for trade and investment opportunities in Los Angeles, said Hon. Zafer Caglayan, the Minister of State in charge of foreign trade of Turkey, at a private roundtable at the Chamber Tuesday. Caglayan spoke of the importance of strengthening ties with Los Angeles, citing the news that Turkish Airlines will begin nonstop service between LAX and Istanbul next year. Contact Carlos Valderrama, 213.580.7570 or [email protected].

Governor appoints Chamber Board member Fran Inman to CTC Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appointed Fran Inman, Majestic Realty Co., to the California Transportation Commission. The Chamber applauds Inman, an immediate past chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors, for this prestigious appointment to the 13-member commission, which allocates funding for rail, highway and mass transit projects/programs throughout California. Read more. The Boeing Co. volunteers help restore major wetland preserves On July 17, 500 volunteers from The Boeing Co. joined the LA Conservation Corps at the White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro and at the Bolsa Chica Conservancy in Huntington Beach to restore and maintain natural wetland habitats. In San Pedro, volunteers removed five acres of invasive species and repaired 4,800 square feet of decomposed granite trail path. In Bolsa Chica, volunteers removed 6,000 square feet of invasive species and trash weighing in at almost 12 tons. Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.