On November 23, 2020, the Lomita Chamber of Commerce along with many of our local Chambers of Commerce in the South Bay Cities rallied to share appeals on behalf of the business community to the LA County Board of Supervisors (BOS) concerning shutting down outdoor dining once again due to COVID-19.
Despite these efforts, the BOS voted 3-2 to shut down outdoor dining and reduce capacity at their November 24th meeting.
Last week, the Chamber presented the Lomita State of the City event to over 100 guests virtually. As we’re now going through another wave of challenges for our community, businesses and economy due to COVID-19, we wanted to take a moment share some of the uplifting highlights from the event and thank everyone for their participation.
The event reminded us that “Lomita is a community that continues to move forward regardless of what’s in our way,” said Mayor Jim Gazeley. As we Lift Up Lomita and keep Lomita Strong, Captain Jim Powers of Lomita Sheriff’s Station shared his definition for the acronym TRUST to be “Truth, Respect, Understanding, Support, Teamwork” — another commonality that bonds us and brings the community together especially during these hard times.
As we heard from Mayor Pro Tem Mark Waronek, “Even with all of these new challenges that 2020 has thrown at us, Lomita still continues to shine as a strong, resilient and focused community, that cares for our neighbors, supports our businesses, and always looks to better days in the future.”
We thank Mayor James Gazeley, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Waronek, Captain James Powers, Unit Commander of Lomita Sheriff’s Station and Captain Chris Vazquez of LA County Fire Department, Lomita Station 6 for being a part of the event. We also thank all of our Councilmembers, Elected Officials, Sponsors and Guests for your support and participation.
And for one last quote to carry forward with us “It really is the hardest times that make Lomita shine the brightest.”
Planners work to improve the well-being of all people living in our communities by taking a comprehensive perspective. This approach leads to safer, resilient, more equitable, and more prosperous communities. The role that planning plays in creating great communities is celebrated each October with National Community Planning Month.
From economic development and land use planning to reinventing what our communities look like post-COVID-19, this October the City of Lomita recognizes how planning and planners are leading the way forward for all in our community. Change is onstant and community planning and plans help manage this change in a way that provides better choices for how people work and live. In addition to our staff, Lomita also recognizes our City Council, Planning Commission and other citizen planners who contribute their time and expertise to the improvement of our community.
Please visit the City of Lomita’s Planning staff at the Lomita Farmer’s Market this Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 10AM to 2PM and see some of the plans and development projects that will be shaping the future of Lomita.
On October 9th, Heidi Butzine, President & CEO of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce; Donna Dupperon, President & CEO, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and Elise Swanson, President & CEO, San Pedro Chamber of Commerce met with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (4th District) to discuss Public Health Councils, a motion put before the LA County Board of Supervisors.
Public Health Councils would be made up of employees at a workplace working with other organizations certified by the Health Department, to monitor, document, and report any violations of the public health guidelines.
The Health Department engaged various labor organizations and some businesses to discuss the formation of public health councils, which would add another obstacle for businesses already struggling to remain open and keep employees working during the COVID-19 recession.
Bringing questions and concerns forward, Butzine, Swanson and Duperron focused discourse with Supervisor Hahn on recommendations and clarification on four areas of importance. These include prioritizing industries of greatest concern where outbreaks are supported by data, concentrating public health councils in those companies and industries with a documented record of noncompliance and violations; focusing the program’s application to those businesses with 75+ employees; further definition and explanation of the “third party organizations” qualifications and clearly defined authority; ensuring that labor unions or bargaining groups are exempt from consideration as “third party organizations”; specifications for how a business may have the chance to defend or implement changes if reported; and the need for better outreach to the business community and a robust public service campaign that supports existing reporting mechanisms for COVID-19 violations.
The Lomita Chamber will continue to monitor and participate in this ongoing dialog.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, will host a webinar on Wednesday, October 14th at 11:30 a.m. The webinar will navigate small businesses through the emergency Covid-19 legislation congress passed last spring. Participants will be provided the opportunity to ask Congresswoman Waters and her staff questions.
Despite federal assistance, the ongoing pandemic and necessary COVID-19 social distancing restrictions have made it increasingly difficult for small businesses to survive. As a result of these challenges, Congresswoman Waters will explain the legislation passed this year to help businesses and talk about the range of federal programs available.
Congresswoman Waters has been on the frontlines, leading the Democratic Caucus in crafting legislation to address the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus on our nation’s small businesses. As a result of legislation Congress passed this year, our district (CA-43) received $1 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, according to data provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
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Small Business Community Call #5 – PPP Extension, Funding Options, Get connected with local resources
During the Chamber’s 5th Small Business Community Call, our guests included Carla Villacorta, Business Relationship Manager at One West Bank in Lomita and Alicia Velasco, Community Development Director with the City of Lomita. Updates were provided on the City’s Small Business Forgivable Loan Program and outdoor business expansion permits. One West Bank offered an update on the PPP extension and support the bank is offering to help businesses with plexiglass installations to operate safely. We also heard from some of our local businesses and how they’re implementing safe practices.
Small Business Community Call #4 – City of Lomita discusses forgiveable loan program and expansion permits
The Chamber had its 4th Small Business Community Call in June via Zoom with our best turnout yet. The call featured the Economic Development team from the City of Lomita who discussed its Small Business Forgivable Loan Program, and Fee Waivers for Business Expansion Permits. The Chamber and City provided updates on their efforts to push to the State and County to safely reopen small businesses.
Small Business Community Call #3 – Hear from the City of Lomita and the Small Business Development Center
The Chamber had its 3rd Small Business Community Call in May via Zoom with a great showing. The call included discussion on planning for responsible reopening, rebound and recovery. An update from the City of Lomita’s Economic Development team and business guidance from the Small Business Development Center at El Camino College.
