The City of Gardena Economic Development Committee (EDC)
Its mission is to promote, encourage, enhance and facilitate economic opportunities by establishing and preserving a business and job friendly environment to attract and retain businesses, industry and commerce, that will enhance Gardena’s economic viability, financial stability, and improve the overall quality of life of its residents.
EDC Goals
- Partner with Gardena Business Advisory Committee (GBAC) regarding specific business issues affecting Gardena;
- Promote new business development opportunities;
- Identify incentives that will encourage desirable business and industry to locate to Gardena;
- Identify issues that would prevent businesses from desiring to locate in Gardena;
- Provide input on finding ways to eliminate these issues;
- Provide assistance and support on business retention issues;
- Make targeted site visits with Economic Development staff; and,
- Provide support on issues affecting the economy and quality of life in the City.
The Committee
The committee consists of five members comprised of leading owners and operators of businesses within the City of Gardena. The current members are Victor Amenta, Naresh Solanki, Ernie Urban, Carlos Lifosjoe and Moe Shemirani.
The EDC meets every 4th Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. For more information contact the Office of the City Manager at (310) 217-9504.
Gardena Business Advisory Council (G-BAC)
The Gardena Business Advisory Council (G-BAC) serves as an advisory to the Council on matters pertaining to the city’s interactions with the business community. Members review city policies and procedures and propose recommendations for new programs, legislation, or procedures to move Gardena forward in becoming an increasingly business-friendly city.
The current members are Gene Hale (Chair), G&C Equipment Corporation; Yas Konishi (Vice Chair), Gardena Watch Company, Charles Yoo, Pacific Realtors – Korean Chamber; Kal Solanki, Executive Inn; Wanda Love, My Place Hair Salon; Steve Rogers, Southwest Offset Printing; Carlos Lifosjoe, Gardena Nissan; John Ferrelli, Memorial Hospital of Gardena and Naresh Solanki, Gardena Supermarket .
Their goals are: (1) To support local Gardena businesses, and (2) To help Gardena businesses do business with the City of Gardena.
G-BAC meets every second Thursday of the even month at 5:00pm. For more information, contact the Office of the City Manager at (310) 217-9645.
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)
The LAEDC’s mission is to attract, retain and grow businesses and jobs for the Los Angeles County region. LAEDC provides business assistance for new and expanding businesses, and they offer a variety of financial and technical assistance programs that can help improve your company’s bottom line. For more information visit LAEDC’s website at www.LAEDC.org or call 213-622-4300.
Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCC)
GVCC is located at 1204 West Gardena Boulevard, Suite E & F, Gardena, CA. For more information on joining or obtaining information, call (310) 532-9905 or visit the website at www.gardenachamber.com. GVCC can also be reached via e-mail at gardenavalleycc@aol.com.
North Gardena Business Association
The North Gardena Business Association was organized in January 2000 to pursue the eventual development of a Business Improvement District to finance improvements such as street lighting, security, street and sidewalk cleaning, marketing and promotion of public events through property assessment within specified geographical boundaries. For information, please contact Laverne Knight, President of the North Gardena Business Association at (310) 516-1958.
South Bay Economic Development Partnership (SBEDP)
SBEDP provides various assistance programs through its affiliates. They offer technical assistance accessing county, state, and federal programs, an Ombudsperson and mitigation services, site selection services for business expansion and relocation and regional community profiles, economic and demographic data. For additional information, call (310) 792-0323.
Southern California Edison (SCE)
SCE concentrates its economic efforts in the retention, expansion, and attraction of companies. It focuses attention on business climate issues and increases the competitiveness of the business community. It offers a variety of free, confidential services that address energy, environmental, and economic challenges facing companies today.
For additional information visit Southern California Edison Website at http://www.sce.com/DoingBusiness/ecobizdevelopment/ or email Tod Sword at Tod.Sword@sce.com.
The USC Center for Economic Development
The USC Center for Economic Development is a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded University Center providing information and technical assistance to public and private organizations and dedicated to improving the lives of people and their communities. For more information contact Associate Director, Dion Jackson via email at dljackso@usc.edu or call (213) 740-6868. Visit the USC Center for Economic Development website at http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/ced/leonard.html.
Advantage CDC
Advantage CDC is a non-profit corporation partnering with the U.S. SBA and private sector lenders to provide eligible small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. For further information about Advantage CDC, call (562) 983-7450.
The California Employment Training Panel (ETP)
The California ETP provides customized training for employers. They are located at 4640 Lankersheim Blvd., Suite 311, North Hollywood, CA 91602-1841 and may be contacted directly at (818) 755-1313 for additional information.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA develops and supports entrepreneurs through a vast network of resource partners. To learn more on how SBA can assist partners. To learn more on how SBA can assist you, contact:
District Office
330 North Brand
Suite 1200
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 552-3210
www.sba.gov/ca/la
Click here to view a calendar of local workshops that the Small Business Administration is offering.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The SBDC provides business plan assistance, loan package assistance, small business workshops, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification.
.
Here are just a few examples of the types of small business workshops that SBA offers in Southern California: Getting Financing for your Business, Starting and Operating Your Own Business, Promoting and Protecting Your Invention, Creative Sales through Marketing, and How to Develop a Business Plan.
Location of the nearest Small Business Development Center to the City of Gardena is:
El Camino College
13430 Hawthorne Blvd.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Tel: (310) 973-3177
Fax: (310) 973-3132
www.southbaysbdc.org
Small Business Development Center
Los Angeles/Watts
Small Business Development Center
10221 Compton Avenue, Suite 103
Los Angeles, CA 90008
tel: (213) 473-5111
fax: (213) 473-5115
e-mail: sbdcla@ibm.net
Santa Monica College
Westside SBDC
3233-c Donald Douglas Loop
South Santa Monica, CA 90405
tel: (310) 398-8883
fax: (310) 398-3024
http://www.smc.edu/
West Basin Water District
17140 South Avalon Blvd, Ste. 210
Carson, CA 90746
tel: (310) 217-2411
fax: (310) 217-2414
http://www.westbasin.org/
California Manufacturing Technology Consulting
690 Knox Street, Suite 200
Torrance, CA 90502
tel: (800) 300-CMTC
fax: (310) 263-3062
http://www.cmtc.com/
Popularity: 25% [?]
