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“In towns and cities... there is no more important institution than the local paper.”
Warren Buffett
City officials tout La Mirada as a business-, corporate partner during gathering. Randy Economy Photo.
By Rico Dizon
La Mirada City Manager Tom Robinson reached out to the business owners and corporate Chief Executive Officers to point out the big advantage in doing business in the City during the La Mirada Business Forum held at the Holiday Inn.
For his part, City Mayor Steve De Ruse welcomed the Business Forum delegates by touting, “we reach out to local businesses in order to understand the concerns, resolve the issues and help provide and active and safe place for conducting businesses.”
“We began the La Mirada Business Forum years ago in order to build positive relationships with you. The discussions that begin today don’t need to end at the conclusion of this event, we want this to continue,” Mayor DeRuse said.
“We want to hear from you throughout the year, and applaud your efforts to build your businesses which strengthen our community.”
Citing out the compelling reasons behind the “Most Business-Friendly City Award” where in La Mirada was a finalist for the fifth consecutive year by the Los Angeles County Economic and Development Corporation, Robinson pointed out that the City probably offers the lowest cost in doing business such as zero utility users tax, zero parking tax, $0.55 in property transfer tax rate (per $1,000) and a minimum fee of $50 for a business licenses.
Robinson also said that the City of La Mirada is the only municipality with maximum business license fee of $1,000.
Recently, the voters in La Mirada voted 66.63 % for a 1% sales tax estimated to generate some $4 to $5 million in revenues for the City annually for structural repairs and projected to grow by 9.7% for fiscal year 2012-2013.
“The increase in sales tax revenues reflects a significant improvement in the local economy,” said Robinson. Other positive economic indicators for businessmen to come to La Mirada are the I-5 Freeway improvement project scheduled to begin next year. In preparation for the freeway work, a number of roadway improvements are being completed. Major sidewalk improvements planned for Santa Gertrudes Ave. from Lemon Dr. to Rosecrans Ave. are scheduled to begin in February and be completed in April. Work includes a new meandering sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs, new curb access ramps, street tree removal, landscaping treatments, and an automatic irrigation system.
In addition, the crime rate dropped to 37.7% since 2005.
To promote shopping in local stores, La Mirada came up with ‘Shop! See! Splash!’
Under this campaign, shoppers were to receive up to $40 in vouchers for La Mirada Theatre tickets, Splash tickets and recreation classes at City facilities. Some 267 participants submitted $554, 170 in receipts during the campaign.
“This program is a positive way of supporting local businesses by encouraging residents to shop locally,” said Deputy City Manager Jeff Boynton. “This was the 4h time we’ve conducted this Shop La Mirada campaign and this year’s response was the strongest yet,” he added.
To further entice businessmen to the city, the City conducts regular business visits, offers the Business Recognition Program and provides a Business Newsletter that is accessible online. Local investments that are taking place in the City include the Orchards Neighborhood, Crossroads Shopping Center, Roseview Center, and industrial area developments. New and expanding businesses in La Mirada, to name a few, are Ahern Rentals, Harbor Freight Tools, IQ Air, TEC Equipment, Bralco Metals, and KCI Medical.
