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Strictly Business
| May 27, 2009
Fostering Long Beach
Jobs
 There
are plenty of ways in which Long Beach can become more
business-friendly, and this Chamber has not been shy about
pointing out where and how improvements can be made.
Mayor Bob Foster's
latest effort to increase relations with the Long Beach business
community and to help increase Long Beach-based jobs deserves a
round of applause.
Back in 2005, the Chamber successfully convinced city staff and
elected officials to increase an incentive from 2% to 5% that is
offered to Long Beach-based businesses who bid on city
contracts. What that means, essentially, is that Long
Beach-based businesses who bid on City contracts
for furnishing materials,
supplies, and non-professional services
can offer bids as much as 5% higher than competing bidders based
in other cities, and still win the job. This current 5%
incentive or preference keeps jobs and business within city
limits, and encourages partnership between the city and business
community.
It was a great step in the right direction then, and now
Mayor Foster's proposal calls for
an increase in that preference from 5% to 10% for Long
Beach-based businesses that enter bids, further leveling the
playing field and creating more opportunities for Long Beach
businesses to secure City contracts.
This is significant because it shows that the City is willing to
improve relations with the Long Beach business community, even
if it means paying up to 10% more than they would need to if the
job was given to a business from another city. However, some may
say that paying more in these tough times does not make sense.
The
Chamber believes that any investment to keep jobs local is an
investment that will pay higher dividends and that is exactly
what our local economy needs.
Back in July 2005, the Grunion
Gazette said: "We are happy because this particular
program is an investment. While the city may end up paying a bit
more for some jobs, it will keep a lot more city money inside
Long Beach."
Back in November 2002, (Former)
Mayor Beverly O’Neill, (Former) Vice Mayor Frank Colonna,
(Former) Press-Telegram Publisher Ian Lamont, and Long Beach
Business Journal Publisher George Economides all agreed:
"Long Beach businesses are the backbone of our business
community. Assuring the economic stability of Long Beach
businesses affects you as a citizen. Giving Long Beach
businesses an advantage when competing for Long Beach City
contracts is vital to increasing the number of jobs in our
city."
When the rate was increased to 5% in 2005, the Chamber stood
strongly in support. I wrote back then:
“The Chamber of Commerce, which played a critical role in
getting the preferential treatment in place to begin with, now
has promised to help make sure it is used. It’s up to the
individual business owners to take advantage, as well.”
The same holds true today.
After years of practices making it difficult for businesses to
operate within city limits, our local government is
acknowledging that changes must be made. Mayor Foster will bring
the proposed increase to the preference policy to the City
Council for their consideration on June 2.
We need your help to make sure the Council makes the right
choice.
Click here to submit your letter of support!
We have been presented with an opportunity to jump-start local
businesses, arming them with a potential 10% head start over
competing bidders from other cities. It’s a step in the right
direction for the community, for our residents, and for the
future of the city...
...and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce |
