2010 FOOTHILL Business Forum
2010 FOOTHILL Business Forum
The Foothill Workforce Investment Board (FWIB) in partnership with Business Life Magazine held their 2010 Foothill Business Forum October 20th at the Pasadena Convention Center. This event was held to provide resources and information to small businesses on the local, state and national level. This forum also provided an opportunity for networking among business owners.
Phillip Dunn, FWIB Executive Director.
This forum was attended by and supported by numerous elected officials from the City of Pasadena, Los Angeles County and the State of California.
Speakers for the opening ceremony included Phillip Dunn, Executive Director of the Foothill Workforce Investment Board; Steve Mermell, Pasadena Assistant City Manager; Robert Padilla, Assistant Deputy Director of the California Governor’s Office of Economic Development; and Roberto E. Barragan, President of the Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC). Joumana “J.B.” Barakat was the Master of Ceremony for the opening event.
Steve Mermell, Pasadena Assistant City Manager provided business statistics for the city, stating that retail and car sales for the city were flat and would remain that way for the next six to eight months. However, he said that sales tax revenue exceeded where the city was September of 2009 in the amount of $30 million dollars to date. He said that job growth is needed and that can only come from the private sector .
Robert Padilla, Assistant Deputy Director of the California Governor’s Office of Economic Development said “Whatever your small business needs, I will take care of it or someone I know will. The recovery will not happen without your small business. I have thirty people in my office and they understand the tribulations small businesses are currently dealing with. Whatever we can do to help the local agencies, we will do.” Mr. Padilla said that he was referred to as “The Merchant of Hope”. He wants to help “P3”, Public/Private/Partnership.
Padilla said that HR5297: Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 was signed September 27th by President Obama. This bill, sponsored by Representative Barney Frank will provide an infusion of approximately $168.5 million for California through a “Small Business Lending Fund” that will be available to small businesses and they should “hang in there”.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Robert Padilla
Roberto E. Barragan, President of the Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC) said that the biggest hindrance to growth for small businesses was the access to capital. Small businesses have been told “NO” too many times and they are tired of being told that. Padilla said HR5297 will increase micro loans to small businesses, that there is money out there but they require collateral and decent credit. He said his company is willing to provide loans to Pasadena businesses along with technical assistance, marketing and startup assistance.
and Roberto E. Barragan, President of VEDC.
Along with all this great information provided during the opening ceremonies, two workshops were provided; Avoiding Common Mistakes in Contracts for Your Business, taught by Michael A. Chasalow, Director, Small Business Clinic and Clinical Associate Professor of Law at USC Gould School of Law; and Increase Sales – Reduce Costs, taught by Derrick Chevalier, of Harrison-Chevalier, Inc.
and Congressman Adam Schiff's Field Deputy, Teresa Lamb-Simpson
Forums and workshops are provided throughout the year through Foothill Workforce Investment Board (FWIB) and Business Life Magazine. These workshops are free of charge. For more information contact FWIB at (626) 584-8387 or visit their website at www.foothilletc.org and Business Life at (818) 240-7088 or their website at www.businesslife.com .
The Foothill Workforce Investment Board (FWIB) in partnership with Business Life Magazine held their 2010 Foothill Business Forum October 20th at the Pasadena Convention Center. This event was held to provide resources and information to small businesses on the local, state and national level. This forum also provided an opportunity for networking among business owners.
Phillip Dunn, FWIB Executive Director.
This forum was attended by and supported by numerous elected officials from the City of Pasadena, Los Angeles County and the State of California.
Speakers for the opening ceremony included Phillip Dunn, Executive Director of the Foothill Workforce Investment Board; Steve Mermell, Pasadena Assistant City Manager; Robert Padilla, Assistant Deputy Director of the California Governor’s Office of Economic Development; and Roberto E. Barragan, President of the Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC). Joumana “J.B.” Barakat was the Master of Ceremony for the opening event.
Steve Mermell, Pasadena Assistant City Manager provided business statistics for the city, stating that retail and car sales for the city were flat and would remain that way for the next six to eight months. However, he said that sales tax revenue exceeded where the city was September of 2009 in the amount of $30 million dollars to date. He said that job growth is needed and that can only come from the private sector .
Robert Padilla, Assistant Deputy Director of the California Governor’s Office of Economic Development said “Whatever your small business needs, I will take care of it or someone I know will. The recovery will not happen without your small business. I have thirty people in my office and they understand the tribulations small businesses are currently dealing with. Whatever we can do to help the local agencies, we will do.” Mr. Padilla said that he was referred to as “The Merchant of Hope”. He wants to help “P3”, Public/Private/Partnership.
Padilla said that HR5297: Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 was signed September 27th by President Obama. This bill, sponsored by Representative Barney Frank will provide an infusion of approximately $168.5 million for California through a “Small Business Lending Fund” that will be available to small businesses and they should “hang in there”.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Robert Padilla
Roberto E. Barragan, President of the Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC) said that the biggest hindrance to growth for small businesses was the access to capital. Small businesses have been told “NO” too many times and they are tired of being told that. Padilla said HR5297 will increase micro loans to small businesses, that there is money out there but they require collateral and decent credit. He said his company is willing to provide loans to Pasadena businesses along with technical assistance, marketing and startup assistance.
and Roberto E. Barragan, President of VEDC.
Along with all this great information provided during the opening ceremonies, two workshops were provided; Avoiding Common Mistakes in Contracts for Your Business, taught by Michael A. Chasalow, Director, Small Business Clinic and Clinical Associate Professor of Law at USC Gould School of Law; and Increase Sales – Reduce Costs, taught by Derrick Chevalier, of Harrison-Chevalier, Inc.
and Congressman Adam Schiff's Field Deputy, Teresa Lamb-Simpson
Forums and workshops are provided throughout the year through Foothill Workforce Investment Board (FWIB) and Business Life Magazine. These workshops are free of charge. For more information contact FWIB at (626) 584-8387 or visit their website at www.foothilletc.org and Business Life at (818) 240-7088 or their website at www.businesslife.com .
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