L.A. County Economic Resiliency Task Force Sets Sights On July 4 Reopening

LOS ANGELES –  L.A. County’s Economic Resiliency Task Force is developing fast-track plans for economic reopening and recovery by July 4. At the same time, industry work groups ㅡ in diverse areas ranging from bio-science, hospitality and education to sports, entertainment and the artsㅡforge ahead with concrete proposals for resuming operations safely.

The proposed timetable was unveiled during the task force’s second meeting, held May 19 and included a presentation by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation that underscored the high stakes and urgency of the local economic situation as the COVID-19 crisis continues. 

Bill Allen, president of the LAEDC, said there have been more than 1 million unemployment claims filed in L.A. County to date. More than 75% of the projected job losses are in positions earning an average of $50,000 a year or less, with restaurants and retail industries hit the hardest. 

The hearing included presentations from 13 industry representatives, who described the impacts of COVID-19 on their sectors. Jerry Greenberg, representing the restaurants/leisure/hospitality sector, reported that 80% of restaurant jobs have been lost. Pat Niemann, representing corporate business, discussed the consequences of reopening delays and the dangers of long-lasting unemployment. Donna Langley, film and entertainment representative, reported that the industry’s 890,000 film and entertainment employees were for the most part not working and noted that this unemployment trickled down to small business vendors as well.

Though each sector reported specific impacts, common critical needs emerged in the meeting, including rapid but safe reopenings and customized guidance and health/safety protocols for sectors. Several members expressed the desire for new public-private partnerships and revenue streams to create jobs. 

The next task force meeting is June 2.

Economic Resiliency Task Force Sector Representatives

Arts and Culture: Tim Dang, USC 

Business – Corporate / Manufacturing: Pat Niemann, Ernst & Young

Business – Small: Linda Griego, MLK Community Health Foundation and Griego Enterprises, Inc.

Commodities / Goods Movement: Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach 

Education: Dr. Barry Corey, Biola University

Faith Organizations: Jackie DuPont-Walker, African Methodist Episcopal Church 

Film / Digital Media: Jeff Shell, NBCUniversal

Foundations / Nonprofits: Regina Birdsell, Center for Nonprofit Management

Healthcare / Bioscience: Dr. Hector Flores, Adventist Health White Memorial 

Infrastructure Development / Construction: Fran Inman, Majestic Realty

Labor: Ron Herrera, LA County Federation of Labor

Restaurants / Leisure / Hospitality: Jerry Greenberg, Sugarfish.

Sports / Entertainment: Casey Wasserman, LA 2028 

The Economic Resiliency Task Force was created by a board motion by Supervisors Barger and Solis, and unanimously adopted  April 28. D

Details: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/recovery/