|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Tax Filing Deadline Extended for Californians Impacted by Winter Storms
California extended its state tax filing and payment deadlines until October 16 for residents affected by winter storms in December and January. This extension is in addition to tax relief measures previously announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom in January. The move aligns California with the Biden Administration, which also extended various IRS due dates until October 16. |
 |
LA Metro Launches Ambassador Pilot Program
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has announced it has trained nearly 300 new Metro Ambassadors this week. The ambassadors will be deployed on the Metro Bus and Rail Systems to help riders navigate the transit system, provide extra assistance, and report any issues. Ambassadors will also answer questions and connect riders to necessary resources. Learn more here. |
|
 |
Natural Disaster and Earthquake Preparedness Important for Business Resilience
Southern California is experiencing an unprecedented winter of extreme weather conditions, which highlights the need for businesses and communities to prepare for potential natural disasters. With prolonged power outages and increasing severe weather events, the region must be prepared to face any challenge. Earthquakes are a constant threat, making it essential to take steps to ensure safety and readiness. The Chamber is engaged with lawmakers to support policies aimed at reducing earthquake risks, such as restoring seismic retrofit funding for vulnerable apartment buildings. Read our blog here. |
 |
Chamber Supports Julie Su for Labor Secretary
The L.A. Area Chamber Board voted to support Julie Su's nomination for Secretary of the Department of Labor on Thursday. Ms. Su has had a distinguished career as an innovative and inclusive leader, and previously served as Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency under Gov. Gavin Newsom. Read our statement here. |
|
|
| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
City of L.A. Adopts Motion to Improve Payment Process for Vendors
The L.A. Area Chamber is pleased the L.A. City Council passed a motion to expedite payments to vendors. The current payment process is inefficient and may leave vendors and small businesses at risk of missing payroll. The motion directs the Controller and City Departments to report on the current payment process and provide recommendations to streamline it, ensuring vendors are paid within 90 days. You can read the motion here. |
|
L.A. County Supports H.R. 1201
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion this week to support H.R. 1201, or the Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act. Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced the motion, which advocates for the passage of H.R. 1201 or similar legislation to repeal or ease the IMD exclusion. The current law prohibits states from receiving Medicaid payments for adults aged 21 to 64 who receive treatment in a hospital, nursing facility, or other institution with more than 16 beds. Removing the federal bed cap is a priority for the Chamber, and we are eager to support this legislation. |
|
|
| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
Chamber Attends Farewell Reception for Consul General of Mexico
Last week, Martin K. Breidsprecher, L.A. Area Chamber Chief Operating Officer, attended the farewell reception for Ambassador Marcela Celorio, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles. The reception was attended by many business leaders from the L.A. region and former mayor, Eric Garcetti. |
|
LARExC Meets Delegates of the Jiangsu Foreign Affairs Office
The Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC) hosted a delegation from the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, including Liu Jiandong, Deputy Director-General of Jiangsu FAO, and James Dai, the Director of the Jiangsu Economic & Trade Office in the USA. The meeting was to plan for the upcoming visit of the Jiangsu vice-governor in mid-May and their plans to host a California-China Business Forum on May 22. |
|
|
|
|
| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
|
|
|
|
SBA Tops $50 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans for Severe Winter Storms
The SBA has approved more than $50 million in federal disaster loans for California businesses and residents affected by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides which occurred from Dec. 27, 2022, to Jan. 31, 2023. Applicants must register before the March 16 deadline through the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Additionally, applicants can apply online, receive disaster assistance information, and download applications here. For further information on SBA disaster assistance, applicants may call the SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected]. |
|
L.A. County's Economic Opportunity Grant Program Now Open to Eligible Organizations
Los Angeles County will receive over $54 million in Economic Opportunity Grants (EOG) to be distributed across 6,800 grants to help businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. Small businesses and nonprofits located within Los Angeles County or its incorporated cities can apply for the grants until May 20. Interested applicants can determine if they meet financial requirements and apply here. |
|
L.A. County Reduces Barriers to Contracting
Join the Chamber's OneLA Inclusive Procurement program, along with our partners, L.A. County's Internal Services Department, Department of Economic Opportunity, and Department of Public Works, on March 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to learn about contracting with Los Angeles County. Vendors attending the event will receive training on the American Rescue Plan Act Master Agreement, grant-funded contracting opportunities, public works contracting, and vendor certification and registration. Register here. |
|
|
|
|
| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
Open Applications 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 |
Janet Lamkin
We're celebrating Women's History Month to highlight the impactful contributions of women in our communities. We recognize, Janet Lamkin, 2023 Chamber Board Vice Chair and Senior Vice President of Global Market and Community Innovation at United Airlines. Lamkin has been a champion for diversity, inclusion and women’s leadership throughout her career. |
|
|
|
|
New Member
|
 |
Member Anniversaries
|
 |
|
| COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS |
Edelman Trust Barometer 2023
Monday, March 13, 11:30 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Join us for an engaging discussion on the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer. The annual trust and credibility survey covers a range of important societal indicators among business, media, government and NGOs. This year's report, "Navigating a Polarized World," reveals a global lack of faith in societal institutions triggered by economic anxiety, disinformation, mass-class divide and failure of leadership.
|
|
Women in Leadership
Wednesday, March 15, 3:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Join the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce for an engaging Women in Leadership event in honor of Women’s History Month. Our featured speaker will be Pamela Bakewell, COO & EVP of the Bakewell Company & the Los Angeles Sentinel.
|
|
Member Orientation
Thursday, March 16, 9:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Discover how your Chamber membership can work for you! Join us for an informative member orientation and learn how to maximize your investment in the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. The member orientation is open to new and existing members of the Chamber.
|
|
The Future of L.A. City's Redistricting Process
Thursday, March 16, 10:15 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join us for a conversation with Nithya Raman, L.A. Councilwoman and Vice Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform, to discuss the current motions at City Council regarding redistricting. Kathay Feng, National Redistricting Director for Common Cause will provide an overview for our membership and discuss proposed state legislation.
|
|
|
| VIEW FULL CALENDAR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
