Making Progress Toward Unity
On behalf of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., I would like to commend the Business Journal on its recent issue addressing the lack of business unity in Los Angeles County (“Why Business Lacks a Voice,” Nov. 24). As the editor pointed out, there is an array of opinion on this subject, but ultimately these types of provocative special reports serve to raise awareness, further debate, and hopefully lead to progress on key issues such as this one.
Recently, within Los Angeles County, regional councils of government have formed, and regional economic development partnerships have been created representing both private- and public-sector leadership. As a result, we now see cities within the region working together on issues of common interest. And for the first time, critical business issues have been broken down to manageable levels, enabling us to step back and examine issues of common interest from a county-wide perspective.
The Economic Action Summit that took place Nov. 24 was one small step toward unifying the business voice. It remains to be seen what “action” develops as a result of this summit and how business leaders will play into that action. However, the LAEDC is committed to the work begun at the summit, and is encouraged by the dialogue that took place between the public and the private sectors.
As a public-private partnership supported by businesses, the LAEDC will continue to work toward unifying the voice of our diverse business leadership in the interest of the economic viability of our region.
LEE K. HARRINGTON
President and CEO
L.A. Economic Development Corp.
