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Small Business Council Discusses California’s Competitiveness
The Chamber’s recent study, California’s Competitiveness: A Regional Approach, highlights the need to build entrepreneurial infrastructure and support to attract new firms and lower the barriers to entrepreneurship for homegrown talent. At our Small Business Council meeting this week, co-chair Kevin Keane provided an overview of the report and its recommendations. Dustin McDonald, California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), and Chris Earl, California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), shared state resources and support available to help businesses grow and thrive in the Los Angeles region. Topics also discussed included job creation, investment, retention incentives and tax credits, training and hiring, financing, technical assistance, along with grant and loan programs. Watch the video here. View the presentation slides here. |
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Chamber Tours New Regional Connector
The Chamber joined Mobility 21 on a tour of the new Regional Connector transit project, led by Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. The project, which began in 2013, opened to the public on June 16 and features three new rail stations in downtown L.A. and offers transfer-free rides between Azusa and Long Beach, as well as East L.A. and Santa Monica. The Chamber takes pride in its longstanding support for the project, dating back to 2008 with Measure R, which allocated funds for transportation infrastructure investment. The Chamber also supported America Fast Forward which allowed for expedited funding from Measure R. |
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Chamber Engages at ACCE Conference
The Chamber attended the annual Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in Salt Lake City, which was themed Elevate. ACCE provides professional development, best practices, and industry trends to support chambers of commerce and the business community. President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly spoke of the catalytic role chambers play in communities. L.A. Area Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas has served on the Board of Directors and was elected to the ACCE Executive Committee. As a member of this prestigious committee, Salinas will play a crucial role in shaping the future of ACCE. Read the press release here. |
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Chamber, HNTB Lead State of Infrastructure
The Chamber hosted the State of Infrastructure event, presented by HNTB. Nearly 200 industry experts gathered to discuss innovation in infrastructure investment to address the requirements of a modern, global Los Angeles. Thank you to Chamber Board member Wayne Feuerborn of HNTB for leading an insightful conversation between Randall (Keith) Benjamin II, Associate Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration, and Stephanie Wiggins, President & CEO of LA Metro, on the electrification of goods movement, express lanes expansion and how to improve the region’s infrastructure with minimal residential displacement. View photos from the event here. |
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| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
Deadline Passes for Unpaid Rent
Tenants had until Aug. 1 to pay landlords all the rent they missed between March 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021. Failure to pay those debts in full could result in eviction. This timeline was set as a part of the tenant protections implemented by the city to prevent evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these measures have caused financial difficulties for small mom-and-pop landlords due to unpaid rent. The state has offered rent relief funding to those who struggled to pay rent early in the pandemic. |
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City Council Returns from Recess with Committee Changes
The Los Angeles City Council returns this week from recess. This month, Council President Paul Krekorian changed the committee structure and assignments. Notably, the Economic & Community Development Committee has been removed, and oversight of certain policies has been allocated to the Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee and the Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging & Disability Committee. In committee membership changes, Councilmembers Imelda Padilla, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, John Lee, Traci Park, and Bob Blumenfield landed new committee assignments. You can find the full list of committee changes here. |
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| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
Task Force Updates Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) published an updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Strategy to prevent the importation of goods produced with forced labor in China. The strategy enforces the UFLPA's presumption, barring goods from Xinjiang or companies on the UFLPA Entity List, unless importers can prove the absence of forced labor. In the first year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reviewed more than 4,000 shipments worth $1.3 billion. The new update adds four new companies to the UFLPA Entity List. |
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U.S. Strengthens Semiconductor Industrial Base
The U.S. Commerce and Defense Departments have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance collaboration in strengthening the semiconductor defense industrial base. The MOA aims to improve information sharing, coordination, and investments under CHIPS for America’s incentive program. This agreement supports President Biden's Investing in America agenda, which aims to strengthen national security and domestic supply chains. The MOA allows both departments to align priorities, review applications, and fund emerging technologies critical to future national security programs. |
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| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
Latino Restaurant Association: Microgrants to Restaurants
Are you a Latino, Latina or member of the AAPI community who owns a restaurant in Los Angeles County? If so, you may be eligible for a $2,500 microgrant from the Latino Restaurant Association. Interested applications must currently be in business, make less than $1 million in annual revenue, have been in business for more than three years, and also be a SoCalGas customer. Applications close on August 13. Learn more here. |
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Stay Safe in Heat
Heat is the deadliest weather hazard. Prepare for extreme heat in Southern California by following Heat Ready CA's Heat Tips: stay cool, stay hydrated and look after each other. Keep everyone safe and prevent heat-related illness by learning more here. |
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| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
L.A. Times Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards
The deadline to nominate for the Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards has been extended to Aug. 9. The Awards, to be held on Nov. 7, will recognize female business leaders for their noteworthy accomplishments, contributions to their organization and the community at large. Learn more here. |
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Wellnest's 3rd Annual Golf Event
Wellnest is hosting their 3rd annual golf event on Aug. 28 at the Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier, CA. The event benefits the Community Wellness Center, which provides equitable access to integrated health, mental health and substance abuse services for children, youth, and young adults in South Los Angeles. Learn more and register here. |
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| MEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
Los Angeles Chargers Kick-off Training Camp
The Los Angeles Chargers continued their second week of training camp this week in Costa Mesa. Thank you to the Chargers team and Chamber Board Chair A.G. Spanos, President of Business Operations, Los Angeles Chargers, for inviting the Chamber Board to the training camp. The team will play their first preseason game on Aug. 12. |
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New Member
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Member Anniversaries
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| COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS |
Energy, Water, & Environmental Sustainability Council with Antonio Villaraigosa
Tuesday, August 8, 8:30 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join us at the Chamber to welcome Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles Mayor and current Infrastructure Advisor to the state of California. He will discuss Governor Newsom's ambitious permitting and project review reform package. The plan would facilitate and streamline the approval and completion of projects which help the state meet its climate goals.
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Government & Fiscal Affairs Council with City Council President Paul Krekorian
Wednesday, August 9, 8:30 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Paul Krekorian, Los Angeles City Council President, and Chair of the AdHoc Committee on City Governance Reform, will discuss the current status of the city's motion to place a charter reform on the Nov. 2024 ballot for an independent redistricting commission and council seat expansion. This event will take place over Zoom.
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State of L.A. Business
Thursday, August 10, 8:30 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Join us for the State of L.A. Business where visionary leaders, academic experts, and the leading voices in policy will convene to discuss the world of sports, entertainment and tourism. Experts will share the innovation and challenges within these industry sectors while exploring the path toward the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games.
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| VIEW FULL CALENDAR |
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
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