See What's Inside

THE BUSINESSCONNECTING JULY/AUG 2021 THE BUSINESS A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF AND RESIDENTIAL THE WHITTIER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VOL. 27 NO. 4 FOCUS COMMUNITIES. Whittier and L.A. Area Business Leaders Whittier Chamber Express Optimism for Economic Recovery Provides Free N95 roughly 40% of BizFed respondents monetary benefits were preferred less. indicated that they anticipate their Whittier businesses were successful Masks to workforce will increase during the in obtaining federal grants to help offset coming year, a positive sign for regional losses and/or bring employees back Local Businesses economic growth. Likewise, Whittier to work. Nearly 48% of respondents Cal/OSHA revises Emergency businesses say their workforce will stay received the PPP loan and 22% received the same, or increase by more than the EIDL loan. Temporary Standards 10%. Most business leaders anticipate L.A. business leaders, who drive Businesses will now have the that some or all of their employees the economy of the region, said they Two recent surveys of local business additional burden of complying with will continue working remotely post- are not satisfied by local government’s the revised Cal/OSHA COVID-19 owners to gauge the economic pandemic, either full- or part-time. efforts to address housing affordability Emergency Regulations which require impacts from the pandemic revealed Business leaders increasingly or homelessness issues. According to an overriding optimistic theme with confront childcare issues and their impact the survey, most felt stronger efforts are employers to provide respirators/N95 participants expressing a positive on employees’ ability and/or willingness needed in these areas. masks for unvaccinated workers, upon outlook for business in the state during to return to work. Childcare challenges L.A. area business leaders felt that request. All employers will need to the next year. were cited by 40% of respondents as a Government has not listened to their have N95 masks on hand immediately Both surveys, one completed by reason for potentially not being able to concerns about reopening and restarting in order to comply with the revised advocacy organization BizFed, and the return to the workplace. the economy. US Congress, the State order. Employers must also provide other by the Whittier Chamber’s Business Homelessness is the top issue that Legislature, Governor Newsom and respirators/N95 masks where there is & Economic Recovery Taskforce, respondents have identified as extremely County Government all scored negatively a major outbreak, to any employees in indicate that, as the L.A. region re- critical in the L.A. area. Business leaders with the State level and the Governor emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic the exposed group for voluntary use. followed that topic with high taxes/ fees having the lowest ratings on the BizFed The respirator must be the right size, and economically harmful business and crime as the most critical issues. In survey. Only City Government had a and the employee must receive basic shutdowns, our business community is Whittier, the top concern was taxes/fees positive rating. poised for a strong comeback in the next followed by government regulations, Lastly, Whittier businesses indicate instruction on how to get a good “seal,” 12 months. crime and homelessness. that their greatest needs right now or fit. The BizFed survey included 782 During the past year there has are marketing visibility, hiring/rehiring In partnership with the California respondents from the L.A. area across been some concern with the loss of employees and financial assistance. Office of Emergency Services and 19 industry sectors and was taken by the commercial leases as businesses turned Many respondents were in favor of Continued on page 8 BizFed advocacy organization of which to remote working; however, survey keeping The Greenleaf Promenade the Whittier Chamber is a member. results from the BizFed survey indicate open year-round, requested reduced The “Pulse Poll” analyzed key topics that the renewal rate for commercial business license fees, requested that impact business operation and leases is higher this year than it was the additional homeless support, needed See what’s inside profitability including workforce levels, year before. additional grant money and requested remote work, childcare challenges, Business leaders, according to the additional education in a variety of the effectiveness of government relief BizFed Pulse Poll, indicated that, should areas. The Whittier Chamber continues pages 3 programs and other topics. the government provide additional to promote its Shop Local campaign and Hathaway Golf The second survey was conducted assistance, priority should be given urges residents to support Whittier area Classic by the Whittier Chamber with 140 local to programs that will have a direct businesses. businesses responding to questions impact on their bottom line such as BizFed has more than 216 business about how COVID-19 has impacted their tax deductibility for COVID expenses, organizations representing 450,000 page 6 business and sharing what their greatest reduction in some or all payroll taxes and employers with four million employees needs are now. Sizzling Summer economic incentives to bring back supply throughout LA County. As a member of Restaurant Guide In terms of workforce expansion, chains. Programs that did not offer direct Continued on page 4 Business Economic Outlook provides crucial information for business recovery A much Thornberg from Beacon Economics. economic fronts, so that they can make ACRO PAID anticipated “As the nation and our local effective leadership decisions for their STANDARD PRESORTED PERMIT # 355 PERMIT WHITTIER, CA U.S. POSTAGE mid-year economy begin coming out of the company as we move forward in the update, which COVID pandemic there is tremendous economic recovery stage,” explained will include uncertainty as to where the economy Whittier Chamber President & CEO economic may be heading. What are the long- Carol Crosby. “The Chamber is excited projections post term impacts of the pandemic? Is to bring our business leaders together COVID and inflation on the horizon? Are the rising and pleased to have Dr. Thornberg help geared toward property values sustainable?” explains prepare our business community for business Jeff Ball, President & CEO of Friendly what lies ahead for our economy,” she Dr. Christopher Thornberg, owners and Hills Bank. “We are once again proud added. Beacon Economics managers, to work with the Whittier Area Chamber After more than a year of economic ups will be the focus of this year’s Business of Commerce to bring an economic and downs, Dr. Thornberg’s presentation Economic Outlook, presented by the report to the local business community. will include a frank discussion of the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce and All Chamber members will benefit from direction the economy will take over the Friendly Hills Bank. After the year we’ve the information we will be sharing in near and long-term future and cover key all been through, the burning question is, this timely event which will be provided economic indicators such as commercial “what’s next?” The Outlook will provide online to maximize convenience and and residential real estate markets, a thoughtful look at the milestones for make it available to everyone that would employment/unemployment, consumer business, development and the driving like to attend. Please join us on July 29,” spending, bankruptcies, business factors of growth and will be held on invited Ball. activity, personal income growth, Thursday, July 29 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. “It is crucial for every business leader international trade, and GDP growth. Whittier, CA 90602 8158 Painter Avenue The featured guest speaker this year will to understand what’s happening on The link to access the Business be leading economist Dr. Christopher the local, national and international Continued on page 5 Need help with your Medicare coverage? (562) 547-6569 2 WHITTIER BUSINESS FOCUSWWW.WHITTIERCHAMBER.COM JULY/AUG 2021 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR 2020-2021 Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Sandra Hahn, Chair of the Board Reopen, Reunite, Recover! Chair of the Board Sandra Hahn, Crêpes & Grapes Café We are very excited that our Whittier 18 event will be held on the top level Immediate Past Chair community is fully open for business of the City’s new parking structure This past year, the Chamber’s role Bryan Tabizon, and that we are on our way to getting on Comstock Avenue between has been as a first responder for Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary our economy back on track. Thank Philadelphia and Bailey streets. We businesses, providing information, Chair-Elect you to our residents and businesses are very excited to be the first event education, resources, grants and Kwan Lee, Martplan Insurance Agency, Inc. for supporting local businesses during held up there with beautiful views of promotion. As we move forward into Vice Chair of Administration these past 18 months and for making our city. the year to serve our members and Gregg Durkee, Kaiser Permanente it a priority to Shop Local. Many of We have another great program set the community, we will continue to our small businesses continue to face for July 29 that all business owners be the go-to source for just about Vice Chair of Business Information R.D. McDonnell, AIA, CSI, R2KS Design + Build challenges with hiring employees and should attend. It is our Economic anything you need to help your funding so please continue to choose Forecast featuring economist Dr. business succeed. It is our mission to Vice Chair of Community Affairs local first and have patience as they Christopher Thornberg. The event will focus on building a strong community Susan Ayala, Civic Member work to get back to full capacity. be held via Zoom so you’ll be able to where businesses can thrive through Vice Chair of Finance The Chamber is back to its regular view it from the comforts of your home community engagement, business Nate Ploog, Dialmed Home Care programs and events, and we couldn’t or office.

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