Donna Visits San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce |
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Out and About articles have been a part of Chamber Weekly for a little over four years now highlighting over 200 Torrance Chamber businesses, as well as chambers I have visited when I have been out and about on a short excursion or a vacation.
This weekend we visited the central coast, specifically San Luis Obispo, a city I absolutely love to visit. The quaint, tree lined downtown area is lined with boutiques, small businesses, and restaurants. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is also a visitors’ center with several items on display and for sale by local artisans. Read more.
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Duperron Testifies on Two Pieces of Legislation |
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This past Thursday, Donna Duperron, President & CEO, testified at hearings on AB61 (Gabriel) Business Pandemic Relief and AB650 (Muratsuchi) Health Care Workers Recognition and Retention Act. Although the hearings were held in Sacramento, Duperron was able to testify by phone.
AB 61 which supports restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing temporary regulatory flexibility to help facilitate outdoor dining, and take-out and delivery options in a manner consistent with public health guidance was supported by the Torrance Chamber’s Government Affairs Policy (GAP) program. Read More.
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The Chamber Congratulates Jeremiah Hart on His Appointment to Chief of Police |
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Last week, Torrance City Manager, Aram Chaparyan announced the appointment of Jeremiah "Jay" Hart to the position of Chief of Police effective June 20, 2021 at the conclusion of Jon Megeff’s term as Interim Chief. Incoming Chief Hart coordinated with the Chamber on a number of programs including the Torrance Police Department Awards and Appreciation Luncheon. The Chamber congratulates incoming Chief Hart and looks forward to continuing to partner with Torrance Police Department. Read more.
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Chamber Convenes Advocacy Leaders to Encourage Businesses
in Grassroots Advocacy
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Last Friday, the Chamber's program Elevate heard from key advocacy leaders: Jennifer Barrera, Executive Vice President, California Chamber of Commerce; Donna Duperron, Chair, Business Federation of Los Angeles BizFed; Elise Swanson, Chair, South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce, and Mark Waronek, Small Business Advocate Honoree. Together, they shared the importance of voicing concerns to legislative representatives and elected officials and underlined the significance of relationships in advocacy.
CalChamber, SBACC, and BizFed continue to seek to educate legislators, but also work to amplify the voice of businesses. "There's no question that the number of bills introduced every year attacking businesses continue to grow and grow - 2,500, this past February," stated Barrera. "Your local voice is so important to the legislators. Top questions advocates at CalChamber get asked by the legislators and their staff are: How will it impact businesses in my district?; Are there any businesses, that are your members, that have concerns that reach out to us?; Is my local chamber on the coalition letter?" Read more.
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Nominations Close This Wednesday |
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The Torrance Chamber will host ‘Educate, Celebrate and Elevate Diversity Awards’ on Wednesday, May 19th at 8:30 a.m. Thank you to event sponsors: Presenting Sponsors: American Honda and Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Distinguished Sponsors: AMAG Technology and Torrance Refining Company, and Patrons: Ambassador High School, BACHEM Americas, California State University Dominguez Hills, and El Camino College.
Workplace diversity and inclusion allow businesses to build teams that bring different viewpoints and
talents to the mix, increasing innovation and driving higher revenues. The chamber invites you to nominate an individual or a business in one of five categories: Advocate, Catalyst, Outstanding Diversity Program, Rising Star and Vanguard. Please find the nomination form here.
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Three Bills Added to CalChamber Job Killer List |
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The California Chamber of Commerce added three bills to its annual list of job killer legislation yesterday. The additions bring the 2021 Job Killer list to a total of 23 legislative bills that would place California employers and the state’s economy in harm’s way should they become law. Two of the bills added would increase labor costs on employers and a third would establish a new private right of action.
So far this year, the CalChamber has identified 25 job killer bills. One was amended to remove its job killer provisions and another failed to pass its first legislative committee, bringing the current total to 23. Read more
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NOW LIVE: Shuttered Venue Operators Grant |
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The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. Apply Now!
Important Information!
Right now, the SBA is requiring applicants to have a DUNS number which is free and to register with SAM.gov. Registration for SAM.gov is an involved process and can take a few weeks for completion and approval so apply now. There is also a video that you can view for more information. For no-cost assistance with applying for the grant including creating an account in SAM.gov, please sign up with El Camino College Small Business Development Center at southbaysbdc.org/newclient. You can contact the SBDC at eccsbdc@elcamino.edu or 310-225-8277.
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CalSavers Deadline Approaching
Eligible Employers with More than 50 employees Must Register by June 30, 2021
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State law now requires all businesses with five or more employees to participate in CalSavers if they do not offer a retirement savings plan from the private market. Eligible employers must register for CalSavers by their state required deadline, which vary by employer size.
The deadline for employers with more than 50 employees is June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2022 for employers with five or more employees. The registration deadline for employers with more than 100 employees passed on September 30, 2020 (extended from June 30, 2020). Eligible employers who have not yet registered should do so as soon as possible to avoid penalties. Eligible employers can register any time before their deadline. For more information on how to get started, learn more at CalSavers.com.
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New Property Tax Benefits for Seniors |
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As of April 1st, Proposition 19 expanded property tax benefits for those 55 and older, the disabled, and victims of natural disasters, allowing them to transfer their property’s assessed value and tax basis when they sell their home and purchase a new one, or any value, anywhere within California. Previously, this tax base transfer opportunity was limited to only 10 counties statewide. Additionally, eligible homeowners can now transfer their base-year assessed value to a more expensive home, whereas the previous law limited the transfer to a home of equal or lesser value. Eligible homeowners can also transfer their assessed value up to three times, while under previous law they could only move with their assessed value one time. In effect, the property tax base for seniors is now “portable.” Learn more about Prop 19.
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Leadership Torrance is a program, founded in 1983, that focuses on developing effective leaders from across the South Bay. Sponsored by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Torrance provides opportunities for emerging leaders to take an active role towards building a stronger community. The mission of the Leadership Torrance program is to develop effective leaders by encouraging community connections through partnerships with City officials and local businesses.
For the next several months, this column will feature graduates of the program and highlight the positive growth of these individuals.
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David DeWitt
Principal Engineer
American Honda Motor Company
LT Class of 2015 and Co-Director for Leadership Torrance Class of 2016
1. Where were you in your career right before joining Leadership Torrance?
When I first learned of Leadership Torrance I was managing new technology research for future environmental vehicles at Honda R&D and was actively interacting with our city hall leaders through demonstration programs of our electric vehicles. I was also already appointed and serving as a commissioner on the Torrance Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission. The engagement with the city operations and decision making was strongly aligned with my personal and professional strengths. Read More.
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"The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce has been a great partnering organization to South Bay Christian School for many years. We are a K-8th grade private Christian school in the heart of Torrance and have been welcomed into the chamber family.
We have participated in their business expo’s year after year and found them and all events attended to be top level in organization, leadership and networking. Their Member Minutes are a productive way to get your marketing message out to their vast and diverse members. The President even attended one of our musicals and other noteworthy events at our campus. They go above and beyond and we appreciate being members of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce."
Francey K. Marzicola
Director of Marketing and Development
South Bay Christian School
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Click On The Event To Register:
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24 Years
(formerly Torrance Travelodge)
16 Years
13 Years
5 Years
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3 Years
2 Years
1 Year
...Thank You!
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Office Depot Rewards Program
As a member of Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, you are entitled to savings at Office Depot store. Discounts vary on items and services, but they do add up and you can save a significant amount annually on 175 most frequently needed items. Just another benefit of the membership! To enjoy this, Contact Us Here.
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