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Tropical Storm Hilary Recovery Resources
Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall in Southern California this week, making it the first storm of its kind to hit the region in 84 years. The Chamber closely monitored the impact of Tropical Storm Hilary to businesses and communities. Los Angeles residents should visit here for more info. County residents can visit here. Preparedness & Recovery Quick Guides can help Chambers and Small Businesses before or after a disaster. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also has a helpline to help businesses recover from a disaster. Call (888) 692-4943 or visit here. |
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Grow With Google
The Chamber partnered with Google, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), and the L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity to bring small businesses to Google's Spruce Goose campus in Playa Vista this week for the Grow with Google event. The event featured cybersecurity training for small businesses, focusing on the basics of online security and how those apply to small businesses and customers. Attendees learned how to identify common digital threats and how to increase their business’ cybersecurity. Congressmember Ted Lieu joined LAEDC President & CEO Stephen Chueng, and Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas at the workshop. View video from the event here and learn more about Grow with Google here. |
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State, Local Response to Tropical Storm
Tropical Storm Hilary brought record-breaking rainfall and caused severe flooding throughout the region. In preparation, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support response and recovery efforts. On Sunday, the Governor also expanded the state of emergency to include additional counties, encompassing most of Southern California. Mayor Karen Bass signed a local emergency declaration on Sunday in response to the storm and urged Angelenos to stay home. The city’s Emergency Operations Center transitioned to a Level 2 Activation. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is currently in recess but called a special session this week in response to the storm. |
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Chamber & LAEDC Hosts Lt. Gov for APEC Meeting
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit will be held in San Francisco this November. The Chamber and LAEDC hosted California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and APEC Business Advisory Council Chairman Dominic Ng for a briefing on the upcoming summit. Delegations from more than 20 countries are expected to visit California for the summit, and regional business leaders will have opportunities to engage with world leaders. The 21 APEC member economies represent 60% of global GDP. For more information, visit APEC Summit 2023. |
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| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
Chamber Hosts Charter Reform Discussion
The Government & Fiscal Affairs (GFA) Policy Council hosted L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian, Dr. Raphael J. Sonenshein and Dr. Gary Segura from the L.A. Governance Reform Project, and George Kieffer from Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP for a discussion on a proposed new governance. They discussed L.A. City Council expansion and charter reform — two issues which are coming up in the 2024 election. GFA’s Chair, Phil Recht, moderated this important discussion as the city’s Ad hoc on Governance Reform continues to discuss proposals that may be on the November 2024 ballot. The Chamber will continue to engage on this issue. You can watch the session here.
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Chamber Takes Oppose Position on Port ISR
This week, the Transportation and Goods Movement (TGM) Council leadership received a briefing from the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association on South Coast AQMD’s regulatory concept for a new Port Indirect Source Rule. Proposed Rule 2304 would require the ports to meet a port-wide emissions cap, with each container terminal having to meet its own individual emissions cap. Such regulation would have a detrimental impact on our regional economy by imposing caps to cargo at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The Chamber policy team will continue to engage in advocacy efforts to strengthen the position of the region's ports. |
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| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
Chamber Meets With Trade Commissioner of Ecuador
This week, the Chamber met with Daniela Muñoz, Trade Commissioner of Ecuador in Los Angeles, and Santiago Benites, Trade Promotion Officer for ProEcuador Los Angeles, to discuss advocacy for the Innovation and Development in Ecuador Act. The Act was introduced earlier this year and would make Ecuador an eligible beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. The Act would lower tariffs on Ecuador’s exports to the U.S. Additionally, Muñoz and Benites advocated for the renewal of the U.S. General System of Preferences (GSP), which would allow Ecuador and other developing countries to continue exporting certain goods to the U.S. duty-free or on reduced tariffs. The GSP renewal could lead to expanded market access for regional exporters and create opportunities for regional businesses looking to export goods to Ecuador. |
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USTR Meets with Indonesia’s Minister of Trade
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Indonesia's Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasana, co-chaired the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Ministers’ (AEM)-USTR Consultation. They discussed progress in U.S.-ASEAN trade relations, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and the U.S.-Indonesia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. As the U.S. is Indonesia's second-largest trade partner, these discussions were part of a shared goal to maintain strong trade relations for both economies. |
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| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
DoorDash Kicks Off Million Dollar Restaurant Relief Fund
DoorDash launched its 2023 Restaurant Disaster Relief fund to provide 100 grants of $10,000 to restaurants impacted by declared natural disasters. The program is in partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network and is part of DoorDash’s ongoing commitment to empowering local economies and supporting small businesses. Learn more here. |
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Small Business Strong: Navigating Your Cashflow
Couldn't make it to our last Small Business Strong workshop? You can still experience the virtual session, hosted by Noe Castillo, Vice President and Senior Business Consultant at JPMorgan Chase. In the Navigating Your Cashflow workshop, attendees learned about strategies to enhance incoming cash flow and reduce outgoing expenses to optimize business success. View the recording here. |
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2023 AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund
The AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is designed to help Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander-owned restaurants across the country. With the industry facing ongoing economic challenges, the Fund is available to help under-resourced restaurants respond to supply chain disruptions, increased inventory costs, workforce development, and safety for their employees. Find more information here. |
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| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
California Minimum Wage Increase for 2024
To keep up with rising inflation costs, on January 1, 2024, all California employers will increase the minimum wage from $15.50 to $16 per hour. While Los Angeles County's minimum wage is currently set at $16.90 per hour, this state minimum wage will impact all California employers, including small businesses. |
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| MEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
Kinecta Federal Credit Union Opens 30th Location
Kinecta Federal Credit Union celebrated the opening of a new branch in the historic Watts community in South Los Angeles. This branch marks Kinecta’s 30th location. Watts has a rich cultural heritage and is the birthplace of many notable writers, musicians and artists. Watts has a long-standing legacy of contributing to arts and culture in America. |
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New Member
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Member Anniversaries
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| COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS |
ACCESS L.A.
Tuesday, September 12, 10:00 a.m.
ACCESS L.A. creates a dialogue between local, city, and county policymakers and business leaders to effectively address key regional challenges. Through advocacy meetings and a networking reception, members have an opportunity to connect with policymakers to help shape local policy.
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Speed Networking Breakfast
Tuesday, September 19, 8:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Join us for an exciting Speed Networking Breakfast, and make valuable connections before your business day begins. You will meet and connect with professionals from various industries to build mutually beneficial relationships in a fast-paced, fun environment. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your network and take your business to the next level!
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
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