All posts by LosAdmin

LA: Expanding Employment

Employment,

There have been a variety of employment expansion opportunities in the LA region recently.  First, an approval was received from the Port of L.A.’s Board of Harbor for a 10-year extension on a labor agreement to continue hiring workers from the harbor area and high-unemployment communities in the city.

First signed back in 2011, the Project Labor Agreement was awarded the extension with the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council (a union that represents over 100,000 trade and craft workers). And it’s great for job creation.  As the LA Mayor pointed out: “it will create new career opportunities that Angelenos deserve, and bring stability to operations as we invest billions in infrastructure that will define the future of the Port.”

So how does that work exactly?  According to the regulations of the agreement, nearly a third of top-paying jobs/apprenticeships connected to construction projects must be given to qualified local residents.

The port has already invested $848 million on 20 completed major construction projects (and 6 additional ones to come) but with the new agreement, there are a further 38 planned and proposed infrastructure projects (totaling around $780 million). These projects include: wharf improvements, rail enhancements, shore power upgrades and marine terminal modernization.

 

LA: Construction Workers Needed

Infrastructure,

Thankfully, one industry that usually has work for skilled people in the industry is construction.  So for those who are skilled laborers, this is a very comforting notion.

However, currently the situation in LA has been reversed in the sense that there are simply not enough skilled laborers to fill positions in the construction industry.  Indeed, according to a recent survey compiled by the Associated General Contractors of America, 75% of construction firms in commercial real estate working throughout western America have been encountering difficulties filling vacant positions, including: bricklayers, carpenters, painters, etc.

With such chronic labor shortages in the region, there could be substantial negative economic impacts.  In order to reverse this, it has been suggested that a greater investment is made in technical and career-industry education.

During the time of the survey, California added almost 50,000 construction jobs comprising 34,000 in Southern California. An additional 9,200 construction jobs were added in Los Angeles County according to the state Employment Development Department.

Cyber Security Bolstering LA Businesses

SMEs, ,

The Los Angeles Cyber Lab has just been created by officials in the city.  The idea is to bolster the city’s cyber security by actively spreading data that the government receives – at the Integrated Security Operations Center – (to help their cyber security) to local businesses.  For America, this work is unprecedented.

A joint private-public venture between Cisco and the City of LA (with an advisory board featuring top companies such as Amazon and Microsoft) the aim of the Cyber Lab is to facilitate operations for local companies.  According to LA City’s Chief Information Officer, Ted Ross:

“Taking the resources that the city of Los Angeles is already paying for to protect ourselves, and making them available at no cost to L.A. businesses, it just seems like the right thing to do.  If we can help small-, medium- and large-sized businesses protect themselves against cybercriminals, then I think we’re really helping move the needle, and I think our constituents are getting even more out of their government.”

The three main parts of the initiative can be categorized as follows: cybereducation, threat intelligence and the provision of an innovation incubator (for local businesses to try out the security products and services prior to purchase).

LA River: Revitalization

Infrastructure

In this video we learn from 7 different locally-based architecture firms how they would “reinvigorate” the LA River should they receive the bid for the Los Angeles River Revitalization Project. In an attempt to transform the dreary area into one featuring active play areas, kayaking opportunities, cycle paths and more, each architecture firm were given a mile-long stretch along the Downtown area’s waterway as a “test.”

LA Hosting 2028 Olympics

Sports

An agreement has been reached between leaders of the International Olympic Committee and LA officials that LA will host the games in 2028.  The first time Southern California hosted the games was 1932 and the next time was 1984.   The last time America hosted the games was in 2002 (in Salt Lake City).

LA is a good choice since it already has facilities good for Olympic-class sports.  Some are suggesting that this should actually become a permanent home for the Olympics.  The infrastructure is so good and not easy to build in other cities for just a one-time event.  Game preparation requires major investments vis-à-vis pedestrian paths and mass transit.

LA already has an amazingly thriving professional and collegiate sports scene, a prosperous entertainment industry and more.

Unfortunately though – for political reasons in particular – it is extremely unlikely the international community will accept this solution. There would be much criticism on having an only-American venue as the permanent home for the Olympics.  But from a business, practical standpoint, it happens to make a lot of sense.

For now though LA is hosting the Olympics in 11 years’ time!

Bringing Ireland to LA

Culture, ,

Later on this year (from October 16th to the 21st), Ireland is coming to LA.  An Irish government trade and cultural extravaganza will showcase live Irish creativity and innovation for those in the LA region.  It was launched in July by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, An Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and performer PantiBliss.

Aimed at supporting a wide range of government agencies (such as The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade The Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland), the Irish Government is completely on board with the upcoming event. And as An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “The Irish Government is very happy to lend support to Ireland Week and the Connect 353 conference in Los Angeles this October. There is significant potential for growing trade & economic links between Ireland and the Los Angeles region. This initiative should help our agencies to promote Ireland as an attractive location for trade and investment.”

Already in July a connection between the two entities was being formed as Ireland’s Local Funky Feet team members went to LA to represent their country in the World Championships of Performing Arts, bringing home 88 medals from the event!

A Boost for LA’s Economy

Employment, ,

There has been some great news for LA residents recently, vis-à-vis the bolstering of the economy in particular vis-à-vis employment.  LA-based companies are continuing to hire, most notably in the second quarter.

In the first quarter there was little hiring as businesses were taking the “wait and see” approach following the election.  Business owners were concerned about the possibility of recession at the time.  Now they have seen this is not the case, business is booming.

This is evidenced by real estate executives noting the increase in lease agreements.  There was also one of the biggest deals – an 80,000 square foot expansion – signed by Riot Games Inc., in West LA.

A couple of the popular places are Hollywood and Burbank.  There have also been a slew of top-end eateries and apartment buildings opening up with new and renovated office space which has earned the area a reputation for being up-and-coming and thusly more attractive to business owners.   As Steve Algermissen of Cushman & Wakefield pointed out:  “knowledge and value-creating businesses need to be in interesting places.  There is a desire to be novel and edgy, and Hollywood has become much cooler.”

Meanwhile there have been some significant minimum wage increases in LA, with the most recent one (July 1st), according to Natalie Kitroeff of the LA Times “mark[ing] the fourth such increase in three years, and the single largest year-over-year jump in the city’s scheduled climb to $15 for all employees by 2021.”

Culture, Sun and Fun: Bolstering the LA Economy

Entertainment, ,

When the summertime comes there is a lot of opportunity to go out and do stuff…and at the same time, bolster the local economy.  So why not take advantage of this and feel good about yourself as you are giving back?  Here are some local ideas to get you started.

First off check out the Art District Co-Op; an amazingly thriving cultural scene that can be found at the Eastside of DTLA.  When you go there check out the really amazing things to buy, uniquely created by your very own Los Angelenos who have made the Art District their home.  A fab way of supporting local art.

Also at the Factory Place Complex (located in LA’s Arts District) this group of buildings is brimming with live/work lofts.  Again an artist’s haven, locals can purchase fantastic locally-created art as well as some of the best eateries LA has to offer.

And then for something completely different, enjoy the velvet-based museum — Velveteria which offers velvet paintings in Chinatown.  Again, by local artists, for local residents.

It’s always a great time to support one’s local economy but during the summer when you’re spending money anyway, this seems like an even better opportunity.

Celebrating 4th July: LA Does It Right

Entertainment, , , ,

Last week saw a lot of the country coming out of their homes and braving the summer heat for one of America’s greatest traditions – the celebration of independence. One particular neighborhood that really hits the nail on the head each year with the celebratory event is right here in LA, the Valley Village.

A true, back-to-basics old-school localized parade, it’s a celebration that excludes no one – the whole neighborhood shows up. Pancakes were served at the pre-parade community breakfast, bikes and strollers were decorated and Colfax Avenue’s Faith Presbyterian Church offered a great vantage point right where the route rounds the corner.

Red, white and blue trimmings were everywhere – all put on by the organizers and additional volunteers who have been setting this up for over two-and-a-half decades – the Valley Village Homeowners Association.

They didn’t intend for it to get so big and even try to keep it on the down-low but its popularity has spread from around 100 people barbecuing in the park to around 2,000 parade participants.

Also in attendance were three local couples given recognition for their volunteer work in the community as well as politicians: Nazarian, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Porter Ranch, state Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, and Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian.