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L.A. BUSINESS THIS WEEK
March 24, 2023

Mayor’s First 100 Days

This week marked Mayor Karen Bass’ first 100 days since taking office. Addressing homelessness was a priority of her campaign and we commend her for the swift action in taking steps toward this humanitarian crisis. Mayor Bass has met with President & CEO Maria S. Salinas, to speak about collaboration with the business community to expand economic opportunities. We are encouraged with the Mayor and her administration’s openness to work together. Read more in our blog.

Relativity Space Launches First 3D-Printed Rocket

Relativity Space, a Long Beach-based startup, launched the first 3D-printed rocket to space this week. Although the rocket didn’t reach orbit, this was a huge step forward in space travel. Most rockets today rely on some 3D-printed parts, but 85% of Relativity’s Terran 1 rocket was printed. The company envisions using the more compact Terran 1 rocket primarily for deploying small satellites. The Chamber congratulated innovator and President & CEO Tim Ellis.

Classes Resume After LAUSD Labor Strike

Classes resumed today at LAUSD schools, even as the local Service Employees International Union Local 99 and LAUSD did not reach a contract settlement. Mayor Karen Bass is facilitating talks between the school district and the approximately 30,000 union members. Negotiations will continue while classes resume following the strike.

Chamber Meets with Deputy Mayor Rachel Freeman

This week, Chamber President and CEO Maria S. Salinas and members of the executive team met with Rachel Freeman, the newly appointed deputy mayor for business and economic development. Freeman, who was most recently with the Tejon Ranch Company, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. The Chamber looks forward to building a strong partnership with Freeman to support economic growth.
POLICY & ADVOCACY

Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez Meets with the Chamber

Maria S. Salinas, Chamber President & CEO, met with L.A. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez this week. It was a great opportunity to introduce the work of the Chamber and learn about the Councilmember’s priorities. With such a large number of small businesses in the 13th Council District, the Councilmember spoke of the many small businesses that struggle with receiving resources. The Chamber looks forward to collaborating in the 13th District.

Fair WorkWeek - City of L.A.

The Fair Workweek ordinance, passed by the Los Angeles City Council last year, will go into effect on April 1. The ordinance requires employers with more than 300 employees globally to provide schedules 14 days in advance, ensure at least 10 hours between shifts, and compensate employees for certain schedule changes. In December, Los Angeles County passed a motion requesting recommendations for its own ordinance. The Board of Supervisors is expected to hear the report in April.

Mayor Bass Appointments Councilwoman Yaroslavsky to LA Metro Board

Mayor Bass appointed City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky to sit on the LA Metro Board of Directors. The agency serves as a planner, coordinator, designer, builder and operator for the country's most populous county, with over 10 million residents. The appointment provides the city of L.A. another seat on the county board. Learn more here.
GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

Belgium Airline Considers Los Angeles Route

Kenneth Wengrod, Vice President of Global Trade and Foreign Investment at the Chamber, attended a seated business lunch at the Consul General of Belgium hosted by Ambassador Gunther Sleeuwagen this week. Representatives from Brussels Airport discussed why a Belgian airline should consider selecting Los Angeles as a point of destination. Executives from the L.A. Area Chamber, Port of L.A., LAEDC, the Belgian-Luxembourg American Chamber of Commerce, and local Belgian expat business leaders also attended the meeting.

Commerce Department Outlines Proposed National Security Guardrails for CHIPS

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking today for the guardrails included in the CHIPS Incentives Program, aimed at advancing America's technological and national security. The proposed national security guardrails are intended to prevent the use of technology and innovation funded by the CHIPS and Science Act for malign purposes by adversarial countries against the U.S. or its allies and partners. The CHIPS and Science Act is part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, which seeks to unleash a manufacturing and innovation boom, drive U.S. competitiveness, and strengthen economic and national security. Learn more here.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Census Data Tools for Business

The Chamber's Small Business Strong March webinar featured U.S. Census Supervisory Survey Statisticians, Kari L. Klinedinst and Nidaal Jubran. If you received the 2022 Economic Census, fill out the survey using portal.census.gov to report. Responses are held confidential and are required by law, learn more at census.gov/econ. The meeting also shared information on the Census Business Builder's interactive dashboard which can produce interactive, customizable, and shareable industry reports. You can find a recording of the webinar here.

Small Business Council Provides Guidance on Web Accessibility and ADA Compliance

Join the Small Business Council on April 12 at 10:00 a.m. for an information session on American Disabilities Act compliance for websites. Accenture and 3shades design will provide an overview of the top website compliance errors and share resources to avoid these errors. Learn more about ADA Guidance here, and register here for the meeting.
CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS

Mobility 21 Hosts the California Transportation Commission at Union Station

The L.A. Area Chamber, Mobility 21, LA Metro, Southern California Association of Governments, and Metrolink joined a reception at the historic Los Angeles Union Station in honor of the California Transportation Commissioners. Nearly 300 dignitaries, state and local officials, and leading private sector members attended. Fran Inman, former Chamber Board Chair and Senior Vice President at Majestic Realty, was presented with a resolution by LA Metro for her years of outstanding service as a California Transportation Commissioner.

Applications Open for the 2023 Game Changers Scholarship

Ralphs and Food 4 Less, in partnership with Procter & Gamble, are accepting applications for the 2023 Game Changers Scholarship. Each company will award a scholarship of $2,000 to a local diverse woman pursuing an undergraduate degree or certificate in business-related science, technical, and/or liberal arts fields. The application deadline is May 12. For more information about the program and to begin the application process, visit here.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Michelle Gaskill-Hames

We're celebrating Women's History Month to highlight the impactful contributions of women in our communities. We recognize Michelle Gaskill-Hames, COO & Chief Strategy, Growth and Experience Officer for Southern California and Hawaii at Kaiser Permanente. Michelle is a member of our Board and is a Co-Chair of the Healthcare Council.

New Member

Member Anniversaries

COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS

Transportation Chair Shares Vision

Monday, April 3, 11:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT

Join the Transportation and Goods Movement Council for their upcoming meeting. Heather Hutt, L.A. City Councilmember and Transportation Committee Chair, will discuss plans to advance transportation in Los Angeles. Hutt has been a public servant for more than 30 years and represents the communities of the 10th district.
RSVP

ACCESS Sacramento 2023

April 18 - 19, 2023
Join us in Sacramento to hear from state policymakers about issues impacting our region and economy. The L.A. Area Chamber aims to promote policies to strengthen industry, drive job creation, and promote regional economic prosperity for all. ACCESS Sacramento provides a platform for the Chamber and its members to advocate for state-level policy issues. Through a series of keynote sessions and panel discussions, members can connect with elected officials, share their stories and business knowledge, and shape policy.
RSVP

World Trade Week Southern California 2023

Tuesday, May 2, 2023
World Trade Week 2023 will celebrate the hurdles the supply chain has overcome during these past few years and amplify the goals of building a future-ready supply chain in an evolving world. If your company is active in global markets, don't miss this opportunity to sponsor and gain visibility in the Southern California trade industry.
RSVP
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
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