Economic Development Department

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
May 12 2011

Doing business with the city

PALMDALE, Calif.—Although there are rumors of the economy moving toward recovery, many businesses and individuals continue to suffer financially. In the nation, the overall unemployment rate is currently at 9.2 percent while the African American unemployment rate is rising at 16.1 percent. In California, unemployment is 12.3 percent.

In a time of desperation, there’s room for innovation. So Palmdale is offering workshops to entrepreneurs and businesses to show them how to make a way out of no way by working with the city.

Apr 20 2011

Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. reports

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A $4 billion modernization effort at LAX could create as many as 39,900 jobs and generate nearly $7 billion for the local economy, according to a report released by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.

About 24,500 construction jobs are expected to be created, and the manufacturing, real estate, financial services and retail industries also would benefit, according to the nonprofit. Even a few agriculture jobs would be created, according to the 45-page report.

Dec 17 2010

Job increase for trade

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County increased to 12.9 percent in November, up from a revised 12.6 percent in October, the state Economic Development Department reported today.

The 12.9 percent unemployment rate was above the 12.3 percent rate in November 2009, according to the EDD.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 9.3 percent, above the 9.1 percent rate in October.

Oct 22 2010

August and September

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County held steady at 12.6 percent between August and September, the state Economic Development Department reported today.

The 12.6 percent unemployment rate was above the 12.2 percent rate in September 2009, according to the EDD.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 9.6 percent, the same rate as August.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.