NOVEMBER 2026 ISSUE

Welcome to South El Monte, CA

WHAT'S DEVELOPING?

Gerardo Marquez

Director of Community Development & Public Works

Email: gmarquez@soelmonte.org

Phone:

(626) 579-6540

SEM BUSINESS WORKSHOP SERIES

OPPORTUNITY ZONES 2.0

The City of South El Monte is pleased to announce that all four of its eligible census tracts have received official designation under the federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program, effective January 1, 2027. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the designation of eligible communities as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) within states, territories, and the District of Columbia. A total of 620 of the 9,129 census tracts in California are now designated as QOZs (6.8%) and, of those, a total of 200 of the 2,496 census tracts in Los Angeles County are now designated as QOZs (8%). As shown below, four of these 200 census tracts in Los Angeles are here in South El Monte making up 80 percent of the city's total census tracts. The Opportunity Zone tax incentive was permanently renewed and a process was established for redesignating zones every 10 years. The modernized and highly anticipated legislative and administrative evolution of the program (often referred to as OZ 2.0), focuses on updated economic data, targeted impact, and expanded reinvestment tools.

Securing designation for every eligible tract marks a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to attract private investment and create new opportunities for residents and local businesses. The designations strengthen South El Monte’s position as a destination for long-term investment in Los Angeles County and support its goals for sustainable growth and community revitalization.

This designation reflects South El Monte’s commitment to bringing investment and opportunity to its' community. With all four eligible census tracts designated, the city has an additional tool to support local business expansion, encourage new development, and create lasting benefits for residents.

Opportunity Zones 2.0 offers federal tax incentives for qualifying long-term investments in designated communities. By encouraging investment through Qualified Opportunity Funds, the program can help support business expansion, redevelopment of underutilized properties, and job creation.

The City will host an Opportunity Zone 2.0 workshop, which will be presented by David N. Fong of Goodlife Housing Partners, who will discuss key aspects of Opportunity Zone investing in South El Monte and beyond, including potential capital gains tax advantages, real estate classifications, and strategies for investing in designated Opportunity Zones. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at South El Monte City Hall, 1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733. Admission is free, and complimentary lunch will be provided to participants. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.

The City has established OZ2SEM.org as a dedicated resource for information about Opportunity Zones 2.0 in South El Monte and is actively promoting investment opportunities within its designated areas. Investors, developers, property owners, and business owners are encouraged to visit the website to learn more and connect with the city’s Economic Development team.

For more information, visit OZ2SEM.org or contact the City’s Economic Development team at Info@EDSEM.org or (626) 350-5667.

Discover Opportunity Zone investment opportunities and learn more about economic development in the City of South El Monte.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY SITE

1606 Durfee Avenue

SOUTH EL MONTE ARTS DISTRICT

FREE ESTATE PLANNING

NOW OPEN BIZ:

THE GOLDEN KRAB

Golden Krab: Bold Flavors, Hometown Roots

For father-and-son owners Alejandro and Ivan Fajardo, opening Golden Krab means sharing their passion for food with the community they call home. The Latino-owned restaurant brings Cajun seafood boils and hibachi-style fried rice and noodles to South El Monte, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, bold flavors, and generous portions.

A Hometown Dream

The family originally envisioned a food truck serving South El Monte and Venice Beach. When maintenance costs and other obstacles complicated those plans, they shifted their focus to opening a restaurant.

Ivan shared that the concept initially met some skepticism, but he and his father remained determined to bring their vision to life. As longtime South El Monte residents, they embraced the opportunity to pursue their dream in their hometown and serve their neighbors.

Giving Back to Their Community

Along with holiday specials, the owners hope to host community events where neighbors can sample their food and local children can receive school supplies, toys, and other gifts. For Ivan and Alejandro, growing their business also means finding ways to give back to the community that has long been their home.

FEATURED BIZ:

INTERNATIONAL MEDICATION SYSTEMS, LTD. (IMS)

Located along the city's key industrial corridor at 1886 Santa Anita Avenue, International Medication Systems, Ltd. (IMS) serves as a cornerstone of South El Monte’s advanced manufacturing sector. IMS drives local economic innovation by manufacturing critical healthcare and emergency medical products right here in our community.

IMS is a subsidiary of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Amphastar is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol AMPH.

Dan Dischner, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., shared the following insights about IMS.

How would you describe IMS and the work your team does in South El Monte?

Every day, our team here in South El Monte manufactures critical medications that hospitals and first responders across the country rely on in emergencies. When every second counts, many of the medicines made here are available in ready-to-use, prefilled syringes and vials found in hospital crash carts, ambulances, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings.

IMS has been part of South El Monte for decades, with roots dating back to 1969, and joined the Amphastar Pharmaceuticals family in 1998. Amphastar's founders, CEO Dr. Jack Zhang and COO Dr. Mary Luo, built the company on science, and that science-first approach continues to guide our work at IMS, turning ideas once thought improbable into medicines patients rely on.

We're proud to be a longtime South El Monte employer, and our people are the heart of IMS. We invest in our employees' professional training and development because their success contributes directly to our shared success.

We see their dedication reflected in stories of employees who return home and tell their children that the medicines they helped manufacture that day could save someone's life. It's a powerful reminder that the work being done right here in South El Monte makes a difference far beyond our community.

"Every day, our team here in South El Monte makes medicines that doctors, nurses, and paramedics reach for in an emergency, when every second counts. We're proud that this essential work happens here in our city, and we're grateful to the City and our neighbors for the support that has allowed IMS to be part of this community for so many years."

-Jin Ma, General Manager, International Medication Systems, Ltd.

What current projects, products, or innovations are you most excited about, and why?

Our immediate priority is strengthening the reliability of our manufacturing operations and ensuring that hospitals and healthcare providers continue to have access to essential injectable medicines. With ongoing shortages of critical medications across the country, IMS plays an important role in supporting the nation's healthcare system.

In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognized IMS with its Drug Shortage Assistance Award for making a substantial contribution to preventing or alleviating drug shortages, demonstrating our commitment to public health and quality manufacturing.

More recently, in September 2026, Vizient, the nation's largest healthcare group purchasing organization, named IMS its 2026 Pharmaceutical Supply Assurance Supplier of the Year. The award recognized IMS's efforts to help hospitals maintain access to essential emergency medications, including those used in emergency rooms and crash carts when patients need immediate treatment.

These awards recognize the dedication of our IMS employees and the importance of the medicines they manufacture here in South El Monte. We are proud that the work being done in our community helps healthcare professionals care for patients across the country.

What's next for IMS, and how will your South El Monte operations contribute to those plans?

Our focus remains on what matters most to patients: quality, regulatory compliance, and maintaining a reliable supply of essential medicines. We are committed to strengthening our manufacturing operations and continuously improving our processes to support these priorities.

Amphastar's finished pharmaceutical products are manufactured in the United States, and IMS plays an important role in our domestic manufacturing network. The dedication and expertise of our employees in South El Monte help ensure that hospitals, healthcare providers, and patients across the country have access to critical medications when they need them most.

We also value our longstanding relationship with the City of South El Monte. We are grateful to Mayor Gloria Olmos, the City Council, City leadership, and the local community for their continued support. Our employees are an important part of this community, and we take pride in the contributions they make both locally and to the nation's healthcare system.

"Our employees in South El Monte play an important role in supplying essential medicines to hospitals and healthcare providers across the country. Guided by the scientific vision of Amphastar's founders, Dr. Jack Zhang and Dr. Mary Luo, we recognize the responsibility that comes with manufacturing medicines patients depend on. As we look ahead, our priorities remain quality, regulatory compliance, and maintaining a reliable domestic supply of these critical medicines."



-Dan Dischner, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

SEM MARKETING MINUTE

CALL TO ACTION

❤️LOVE SOUTH EL MONTE? SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

Reviews can help communities, too!

If you've had a positive experience with the City of South El Monte and South El Monte businesses, we invite you to share your experience online with your ten most beloved businesses. Your feedback can help showcase our community to prospective residents, visitors, businesses, and investors while supporting our efforts to make South El Monte a great place to live, work, and play! Start with the City of South El Monte by leaving reviews using the links below.

SEM SPOTLIGHT

South El Monte's Ben Lira in the Championship Corner

In one of the most dramatic world championship bouts in recent boxing history, heavyweight standout and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Filip Hrgović captured the vacant IBF world heavyweight title on August 29, 2026, at The O2 Arena in London. Surviving a devastating knockdown in the second round and weathering a relentless early storm against British phenom Moses Itauma, Hrgović staged an astonishing comeback. Pumping a relentless second wind into the championship rounds, Hrgović battered Itauma against the ropes until his corner threw in the towel in the 9th round, making Hrgović the first-ever heavyweight champion from Croatia.

At the center of this world-class camp, legendary South El Monte coach Ben Lira remained right in the corner, steering his fighter whom he has worked with across both his amateur and professional journey to the absolute pinnacle of the sport...Heavyweight World Champion! Operating out of his dedicated training facility directly at the City of South El Monte Youth Boxing Center on the Civic Center campus, Lira’s veteran expertise and old-school methodology proved to be the ultimate difference-maker on the global stage.

Now in his 80s, Lira is a towering fixture in the international boxing community and a true South El Monte legend. His decades-long resume of champion-making features an elite roster, including training 2012 Olympian Jojo Diaz, undefeated junior welterweight star Arnold Barboza Jr., and spending years working the corner of middleweight icon Gennady "GGG" Golovkin.

Despite managing world champions on the biggest stages in sports, Lira’s deepest loyalty remains anchored at home. His local gym serves as a cornerstone for South El Monte youth, teaching discipline, physical fitness, and the noble art of boxing from a living master.

The City of South El Monte proudly celebrates Ben Lira’s monumental role in Filip Hrgović’s world championship triumph and his lifelong dedication to shaping champions both in the ring and in the community.

🎥 Meet Coach Ben Lira & Watch the Action

Visit the city's boxing webpage to watch an exclusive interview with Ben Lira and see highlights from Hrgović's recent championship fight.

ACTIVE SEM

31^ST ANNUAL EDDY AWARDS

The City of South El Monte is proud to have been named a finalist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s (LAEDC) 2026 Most Business-Friendly City Award in the Small City category!

Selected by an independent Blue-Ribbon Committee, this recognition highlights the City’s ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses, attracting investment, and fostering a thriving business-friendly community.

BIZ FUNDING ALERTS:

Seeking funding for your startup or business expansion?

If you're a South El Monte resident or business owner looking for funding opportunities, contact the Economic Development Dept. to learn how your project can be featured and shared with our network of funding partners.

Interested in being featured? Email: info@EDSEM.org

WHAT'S BIZZING

MUST READ ARTICLE

Federal Reserve Rate Hike: What It Means for Businesses and Real Estate

On October 28, 2026, the Federal Open Market Committee approved the following statement for release by a 10 – 2 vote:

"The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-3/4 to 4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system.

Economic activity is expanding at a strong pace. While uncertainty remains elevated owing, in part, to geopolitical developments, domestic spending has been resilient. Productivity growth is strong, and capital investment is robust. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little.

Inflation remains elevated. The accumulation of more information will help the Committee determine the policy stance appropriate to ensure a timely return of inflation to the Committee's 2 percent goal. The Committee will deliver price stability. The Federal Reserve’s latest quarter-point interest rate increase signals that borrowing costs may remain elevated as policymakers continue to address inflation."

While the previous increase may seem small, its implications extend across commercial real estate, business investment, and development. Higher financing costs could slow new projects and transactions, although industrial real estate is expected to remain relatively resilient.

While rates have been maintained after the hike, investors, developers, and businesses need to plan their next move. For your portfolio and investments, consider how the Fed’s "maintain" decision shape financing conditions, real estate markets, and future investment opportunities.

SBA's Access to Capital for Business Financial Goals - IN PERSON

NOVEMBER 30, 2026

9:15 AM - 10:45 AM

REGISTER HERE

5 Costly HR Mistakes You Can Prevent - Before It's Too Late - WEBINAR

NOVEMBER 12, 2026

11 AM - 12 PM

REGISTER HERE

Elevate Your Business Plan with Software Powered Innovation - WEBINAR

NOVEMBER 18, 2026

11 AM - 12:30 PM

REGISTER HERE

BIZ RESOURCES

Protect Your Property with a Trespass Arrest Authorization

South El Monte business and commercial property owners can take a proactive step toward keeping their properties safe through the Letter of Agency (Trespass Arrest Authorization) Program, offered in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Temple Station.

A Letter of Agency authorizes Sheriff’s deputies to act on a property owner’s behalf when the owner is not present, allowing deputies to investigate unauthorized activity and take appropriate enforcement action for trespassing and related violations. Authorizations are generally valid for up to 12 months, and property owners are encouraged to renew annually to avoid gaps in enforcement.

Properly posted signage is also essential and should clearly identify applicable trespassing and property restrictions. No notarization is required to submit a Letter of Agency.

Business and property owners are encouraged to take advantage of this resource to help deter trespassing, loitering, unauthorized parking, and other unwanted activity on their property.

STAY CONNECTED!

City of South El Monte

Office of Economic Development

EDSEM.org