|
Economic Incentives, Jobs—They're EZ!
by Lucy Dunn, President and CEO |
Nov 3, 2009
Comments: 1 |
|
|
It's all about jobs. How many times do we have to say it? A lot, I guess. Business wants to hire, to thrive, but we get pummeled every day from neighboring states to move to lower tax, less onerous regulatory locales. In fact—true story—even OCBC was solicited by Henderson, Nevada's economic development team to "move" to Nevada! I know—it was an unsolicited email, but that's how crazy things are for California business. There's one economic incentive this state does have: enterprise zones (or EZ). EZ is a designated area where businesses earn tax credits by hiring certain qualified, unemployed workers, buying equipment and growing in an economically depressed area. Great idea. And Santa Ana is Orange County's success story, retaining businesses, hiring unemployed and attracting new enterprises. Anaheim also qualifies for an EZ, but the state currently caps the number allowed and there were 15 applications for only 4 spots, out of 42 total. Why is there a cap? In these recessionary times with these high unemployment rates, the entire state should qualify as an enterprise zone! But that would be too much for our Sacramento leaders to think about—at least not yet. So, in the meantime, OCBC supports approval of just those 11 applications that didn't get a coveted EZ designation through legislation: AB82 X3 (Solorio) and SB1 X6 (Correa). These bills are winding their way through the legislature now. With each new zone, effectively 10,000 jobs are created. For 11 zones, that's 100,000 new jobs for California, plus the retention of innumerable businesses otherwise being wooed by other states. Help us create jobs. Support these bills—and an new EZ for Anaheim, among them—by calling your legislator today. Here's how to reach them. 
|
||
| Lucy we do want you in Henderson! |
Nov 18, 2009
User: Bob Cooper |
|
|
Hi Lucy, As a native Californian ( raised in the Central Valley, served as the CEO for economic development corporations in Southern and Northern California, and a former CALED Board member) I want you to know that it would be great to have OCBC have a satelitte office in Southern Nevada. Half of southern California comes to Las Vegas every weekend and more companies are coming acrosss the line every month...so wouldn't it be great to have a Consulate Office of the Orange County Business Council over here to continue to work with your current and past members ...similar to the numerous foreign offices we have in Southern Nevada.....think of the Press you would get on that move...heck I think I could even find you some free office space for you OCBC ambassador crew that would work here. What do you think Sacramento would think of that move? Thanks again for commenting on us in your recent column. We are great fans of Orange County and your business leaders. You have some of the brightest companies in the US in your back yard. Too bad the rest of California doesn't have your strong pro-business culture and innovating businesses that are world leaders. The offer is still open Lucy! Bob Cooper, Economic Development Manager, City of Henderson.
|
||
