The City of Gardena has a number of partners that help us serve our Business Community with resources and information.

On September 12, 2017 the council approved the formation of one Economic Development Advisory Committee/Task Force by Merging the Current Economic Development Committee (EDC) and Current Gardena Business Advisory Council (G-BAC) into one Advisory Committee.

The committee will be comprised of 11 members: two members will be appointed by each councilmember, and one member would be selected by the City Manager.  The committee’s name, mission, and goals will be established by the newly appointed members.

The LAEDC’s mission is to attract, retain and grow businesses and jobs for the Los Angeles County region.  LAEDC provides business assistance for new and expanding businesses, and they offer a variety of financial and technical assistance programs that can help improve your company’s bottom line.

For more information visit LAEDC’s website or call 213-622-4300.

The Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 1204 West Gardena Boulevard, Suite E & F, Gardena, CA. 9024. For more information on joining or obtaining information, call (310) 532-9905 or visit the GVCC website. They can also be reached via e-mail at info@gardenachamber.org.

The North Gardena Business Association was organized in January 2000 to pursue the eventual development of a Business Improvement District to finance improvements such as street lighting, security, street and sidewalk cleaning, marketing and promotion of public events through property assessment within specified geographical boundaries.

For information, please contact Laverne Knight, President of the North Gardena Business Association at (310) 516-1958.

SCE concentrates its economic efforts in the retention, expansion, and attraction of companies. It focuses attention on business climate issues and increases the competitiveness of the business community. It offers a variety of free, confidential services that address energy, environmental, and economic challenges facing companies today.  For additional information visit Southern California Edison website or email Tod Sword at Tod.Sword@sce.com.

The USC Center for Economic Development is a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded University Center providing information and technical assistance to public and private organizations and dedicated to improving the lives of people and their communities. For more information contact Associate Director, Dion Jackson via email at dljackso@usc.edu, by calling (213) 740-6868 or visit the USC Center for Economic Development website.

Advantage CDC is a non-profit corporation partnering with the U.S. SBA and private sector lenders to provide eligible small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. For further information about Advantage CDC, call (562) 983-7450.

The California ETP provides customized training for employers. They are located at 4640 Lankersheim Blvd., Suite 311, North Hollywood, CA 91602-1841 and may be contacted directly at (818) 755-1313 for additional information or visit their website.

Small Business Administration develops and supports entrepreneurs through a vast network of resource partners.  To learn more on how SBA can assist you, contact the SBA District Office at 330 North Brand Suite 1200 Glendale, CA 91203 (818) 552-3210 or visit their website.

This website includes valuable statistics for the South Bay that everyone can use.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides business plan assistance, loan package assistance, small business workshops, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification. Here are just a few examples of the types of small business workshops that SBA offers in Southern California:

• Getting Financing for your Business
• Starting and Operating Your Own Business
• Promoting and Protecting Your Invention
• Creative Sales through Marketing
• How to Develop a Business Plan.

The nearest Small Business Development Center to the City of Gardena is located at El Camino College, 13430 Hawthorne Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250-5806. For more information on SBDC, visit their website, call (310) 973-3177 or by fax at (310) 973-3132.

CMTC^® is a non-profit consulting company whose mission is to create solutions for the improvement of our customers’ performance by fostering innovation and sharing knowledge. Visit their website here.

CMTC^® offers manufacturing solutions for growth and profitability for all types and sizes of industries. From small to large manufacturers you can choose from a variety of solutions to fit your needs.

The Made in California Program is a web based program that offers manufacturers who make products in California or are part of a supply chain of manufacturers’, visibility through the California Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC) website. CMTC would like to recognize the contributions of manufacturers in California and feature those companies that have contributed to the growth of the economy, are involved in continuous improvement, strive to create jobs, and to grow their businesses.

• Company registered with either a primary or secondary manufacturing NAICS code (CMTC will verify).
• Supply chain manufacturers located within California will be considered.
• The product’s final assembly, manufacturing or processing must take place in California and the manufacturing facility must be located in California

Find out more:  Made in California Program

• No cost to list your company
• Special invites to premier events that CMTC sponsors or hosts
• Free exposure to visitors to the CMTC site to view your company information
• Free company profile page to increase awareness of your products, services and your company news
• Generate potential business for the manufacturer due to higher visibility
• Complimentary company listing in the National Innovation Marketplace (NIM) to receive alerts on national business opportunities
• Visibility to entrepreneurs seeking a manufacturer to produce their new product
• Develop synergies with other manufacturers to increase sales
• Access to Made in CA social media sites
• Support the manufacturing industry in California by participating

Crenshaw Lumber Co., Hustler Casino, and Southwest Offset Printing are among the largest employers in Gardena.

Our mission is to promote, encourage, enhance, and facilitate economic opportunities by establishing and preserving a business and job friendly environment to attract and retain businesses, industry and commerce that will enhance Gardena’s economic viability, financial stability, and improve the overall quality of life of its residents.