L.A. Takes Lessons from Paris Olympics to Prepare for 2028
Local elected officials and LA28 representatives were in attendance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this past week as part of the official Presidential Delegation led by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The delegation garnered best practices as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The delegation included Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath, and West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson. Mayor Bass stressed that her priority for the 2028 games is to ensure the preparations benefit Angelenos for decades to come.
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Ballot Measure Proposes Expansion of L.A. County Board of Supervisors
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has added several proposed amendments to the County Charter on the November ballot, including one that would expand the board from five to nine members. If approved by voters, the county CEO would become an elected position by 2028, and the board would expand to nine members in 2030. The measure would also establish an Ethics Commission and create new positions, including County Legislative Analyst and Director of Budget and Management. The Chamber will review and discuss these amendments, along with other governance reform proposals from the City of L.A.
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L.A. County Supervisors Approve 'Care First' Approach to Address Homelessness
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in support of a motion affirming the "Care First" approach to resolving homeless encampments, which uses outreach teams to move homeless individuals into housing. The vote is in response to Governor Gavin Newsom's Executive Order on encampments, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass ruling. The motion affirms that county jails will not be used to hold homeless people arrested in the enforcement of anticamping ordinances.
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Governor Newsom Announces $94M for Housing Development
Governor Gavin Newsom announced nearly $94 million in awards to support infill development, resulting in 1,661 new homes across 15 counties in California. He also issued an executive order to promote the transformation of undeveloped and underutilized infill sites and buildings into housing. This initiative aims to revitalize downtown areas, create new housing near transportation hubs, job centers, and expand housing options for Californians while aligning with the state's housing and climate goals.
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Insurance Commissioner Announces FAIR Plan Modernization
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has announced a significant upgrade to the California FAIR Plan Association (FAIR Plan) as part of his Sustainable Insurance Strategy. This modernized agreement will provide expanded coverage, enhanced financial stability, and greater transparency. The FAIR Plan was established to meet the needs of homeowners unable to find insurance in the traditional marketplace. It’s designed to support homeowners, condo associations, farms, builders, and businesses with multiple buildings, ensuring they receive the protection they need.
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Mayor Karen Bass Extends Al Fresco Dining Program
Mayor Karen Bass has extended the application deadline for the permanent Al Fresco permit program from July 2024 to the end of the calendar year to better accommodate small business owners. The Chamber fully supports this extension and will work closely with Mayor Bass' office to ensure all interested businesses have the resources and opportunities to apply for permanent Al Fresco permits. The Chamber will keep the business community informed on future policy and service developments.
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Port of Long Beach Named 'Best West Coast Seaport' for Sixth Consecutive Year
Congratulations to the Port of Long Beach on being named the Best West Coast Seaport in North America for the sixth consecutive year by Asia Cargo News readers. The award was announced during the Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards on June 25 in Shanghai.
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Caltrans Shares Procurement & Training Opportunities
Don't miss the next Small Business Council on August 21 at 10:00 a.m. to hear from Adriana Ring of Caltrans. In this session, Caltrans will share information about the support service programs that encourage minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses to compete for procurement projects. The session will also highlight Workforce Development and “on-the-job training” opportunities designed for underserved communities seeking to develop skills in various highway construction trades. Register today!
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LAEDC: Layoff Transition Services
Discover how the Hospitality Training Academy, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), supports local businesses with their Layoff Transition Services. This nonprofit initiative promotes equitable economic growth in the Los Angeles region by offering alternatives to layoffs, including tailored training and retraining opportunities. Services are free and available on a rolling basis. For more information, email Brandy Pacheco here or call (213) 236-4819.
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Wells Fargo Equitable Access Boost Camp
Don’t miss your chance to apply for the 2024 Wells Fargo Equitable Access Boost Camp! Applications close on August 16. This unique initiative will select the top 500 applicants to participate in a virtual business boost camp, valued at $2,000. Recipients will also gain recognition on Hello Alice, Global Entrepreneurship, and Wells Fargo platforms. This is an opportunity to acquire invaluable skills and support that can propel your professional journey. To learn more and apply visit here.
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Chamber Visits Chargers Training Camp & New Facility
The L.A. Area Chamber Board was thrilled to take the field at the Bolt, the Los Angeles Chargers new state-of-the-art facility in El Segundo. The Bolt training facility, which opened less than two weeks ago, was built on 14-acres, and is a 150,000 square foot state-of-the-art complex located just seven miles from SoFi Stadium.
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COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS
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State of L.A. Business
Thursday, August 8, 8:30 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Register today! The State of L.A. Business is only a few days away, and will explore how businesses and infrastructure collaborate to drive growth in the L.A. region.
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Government & Fiscal Affairs Council
Tuesday, August 13, 10:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Government & Fiscal Affairs (GFA) Policy Council to hear presentations on ballot measures that have qualified for the November election.
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Land Use, Construction & Housing Council
Wednesday, August 14, 9:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Join the Land Use, Construction, and Housing Policy Council for a briefing from YIMBY Action on their housing advocacy.
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
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