The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) announced this year’s winners of its Most Business-Friendly City in Los Angeles County competition at the 16th annual Eddy Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, naming West Covina winner in the population 60,000 and over category, and Monrovia in the population 60,000 and under category.

West Covina: The City’s General Plan Economic Development Element includes business-friendly processes such as: streamlining the entitlement process, over-the-counter approvals for select permits, expedited plan checks and permits for a fee, staff available to discuss plan/permit applications, design review committee and an ombudsman program.  West Covina was a finalist for this award in 2010.

Monrovia offers financial relocation assistance, lease/tenant subsidies, broker bounties, the Old Town business development assistance and facade improvement programs, two redevelopment project areas, no utility user tax assessment and regionally low city fees.  Monrovia was a finalist in 2008 and 2010.

Inaugurated in 1996, the Eddy Awards gala has become one of the most important economic development award programs in the state of California, and is attended by more than 600 of the region’s business, government and education leaders.  In 2006, the LAEDC created the Most Business-Friendly City in Los Angeles County award category to recognize cities within the County that are proactively promoting business-friendly programs and services in the interest of attracting and retaining good quality jobs for their residents.

“We are delighted to recognize the cities of Monrovia and West Covina with this year’s Eddy Award,” said Bill Allen, LAEDC President and CEO.  “Both cities stand out as model communities in Los Angeles County by proactively engaging and working with businesses and the private sector to create jobs for their residents.”

The LAEDC also recognized Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank for his leadership in economic development in the region, and the Los Angeles World Airports for its $4 billion capital improvement project at LAX, which will create tens of thousands of jobs, as its individual and corporate honorees, respectively.

Listed below are the Cities that were Finalists for 2011 Business-Friendly City Competition

Cities with Populations of 60,000+

Burbank’s “Team Business” links the best resources for training, consulting and access to capital with those looking to start a business in addition to business owners who are poised for growth or are seeking stability in today’s promising economy. Burbank was a “Most Business Friendly City” finalist in 2006 and 2007.

Carson well known as an industrial center with excellent access to numerous multi-modal transportation systems and the County’s twin ports, has enjoyed steady and continued growth. Economic development is a cornerstone of Carson’s shared community vision and is highlighted in its Economic Development Element in the City’s General Plan. Carson was also a “Most Business Friendly City” finalist in 2010.

Glendale gives businesses a competitive advantage. A Development Review Committee provides a coordinated and streamlined development and entitlement process for citywide projects by engaging appropriate staff from conception to completion. Glendale was a “Most Business Friendly City” finalist in 2008.

Torrance demonstrates its commitment to economic development with an Economic Development Element in its General Plan, an aggressive economic development office. Torrance was a “Most Business Friendly City” finalist in 2009 and 2010.

Whittier: The City’s Economic Development Element in its General Plan represents the blueprint for business attraction, retention and sustainability, including Redevelopment Project Areas, a Foreign Trade Zone, Retailer Recruitment and Reward Program, ombudsman services, entitlement and permit fee subsidies and permit processing fee reductions. Whittier was a “Most Business Friendly City” finalist in 2009 and 2010.

Cities With Populations 60,000 And Under:

City of Commerce--was a “Most Business Friendly City” Finalist in 2009 and 2010; Duarte – “was a “Most Business Friendly City” Finalist in 2010; The City of Gardena; La Mirada was a “Most Business Friendly City” finalist in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
   
About The LAEDC Established in 1981, the LAEDC is an economic development leadership organization dedicated to promoting job growth, economic expansion, and the overall global competitiveness of Los Angeles County, its surrounding regions, and the state of California. For more information, please visit www.laedc.org and follow at twitter.com/laedc.