Gateway Cities - Working Together

Construction Up in Downey

Street Faire '97

Largest Employers in LA County

Museum Brings Art to Downey

Home Brew Shop Opens in Downey

The California Economy: Top 10 Reasons to be Optimistic

Spearman Hard at Work

Committee Members

Mission Statement

Oldest McDonald's Re-Opened in Downey

As promised, McDonald's reopened the facility as it was with walkup windows and outdoor seating. They also constructed an 850 square foot addition housing a museum, gift shop, rest rooms and more outdoor seats.

Gateway Cities - Working Together

Twenty of the 27 cities have joined. The Gateway Cities combine to form a region that is equal in size to some of America's largest areas. With over 700,000 jobs, the region accounts for 20 percent of all jobs in greater Los Angeles. From 1988 to 1994, 260,000 manufacturing jobs dis-appeared in Los Angeles County. Many of them concentrated in durable manufacturing industries that have traditionally called the Gateway Cities home. The Gateway Cities began by taking a comprehensive look at the structure of its industrial economy. Groups of industries were brought together with regional "supplier" institutions (utilities, colleges, environmental agencies) to develop "user-driven" strategies to address bottom-line problems. Industry groups from the region meet with community stakeholders. These groups include aerospace and metals; energy; transportation and distribution; and fashion, apparel and textiles. This gives them the opportunity to express and hear each other's needs, explore the competitive challenges they face, consider their vision of the future and willingness to develop initial practical steps together.

Working individually and together, businesses and public sector leaders have now defined a set of economic objectives. These are supported by a new under-standing of how to apply the region's strengths and to innovatively meet market requirements.

• Improve the region's economy
• Advocate funding for transportation projects
• Provide leadership in achieving the goals of clean air and a robust economy
• Perform required sub-regional planning by monitoring a database which provides numerous funding sources.

Construction Up in Downey

Street Faire '97

Largest Employers in LA County

                                        LA County Worldwide
 1.     Hughes Aircraft                 21,000    79,000
 2.     Kaiser Permanente               19,500    23,400
 3.     Northrup Grumman                18,500    41,300
 4.     McDonnell Douglas               18,400    65,000
 5.     Bank of America                 13,100    82,000
 6.     Pacific Bell                    11,200    47,400
 7.     Boeing North American            9,200    21,000
 8.     TRW Space & Electronic Group     8,700    64,200
 9.     Walt Disney                      8,500    74,000
10.   University of So. Cal              8,400     8,500
11.   Southern California Edison         8,300    16,400
12.   Times Mirror                       7,800    24,300
13.   ABM Industries                     6,500    42,000
14.   Pacific Enterprises                5,900     8,500
15.   Lockhead Martin                    5,800    70,000

Museum Brings Art to Downey

The museum has the largest collection of Los Angeles artist Boris Deutsch's work outside New York's Museum of Modern Art. To make the museum better known to Downey residents, new Executive Director Janice Ledgerwood wants to start an Educational Outreach program in Downey schools where local artists would teach art to children and seniors. Individuals, corporate donations and grants help fund the museum's operations. There are also nearly 400 "museum supporters" made up of students, residents and businesses. Downey Museum of Art is located at 10419 Rives Avenue in Furman Park. Hours are Wednesday thru Sunday, 12 - 5 p.m. For more information, call (562) 861-0419.

Home Brew Shop Opens in Downey

"Beer is one of the oldest food products. People have been making their own beer for over 5,000 years," said Johnson. "It's very easy to get started." Brewer's Rendezvous stocks over 150 specialty beers from around the world including many rare "craft beers" from Belgium and Germany. "Belgium is known for its fine beers ," said Johnson. "For a country with less people than Los Angeles, Belgium produces over 800 varieties of beer most of them by small micro-breweries." He also sells a variety of unique wines, sodas and gift items such as shirts, mugs, puzzles and books. Customers are drawn from throughout the region and as far away as Upland and Chino. There are less than three dozen home brew shops in Southern California. To attract more customers, they advertise nationally in industry journals and in local papers. "I underestimated the number of people in Downey who already brewed their own beer, and since I have been in business I have created many more brewers," said Johnson.

Johnson looked into several areas to open his business but decided Downtown Downey was the ideal location. He felt it was centrally located and easy to get to. Johnson is also working on forming a local Brewing Club. Brewer's Rendezvous is located at 11116 Downey Avenue. For more information, call (562) 923-6292.

The California Economy: Top 10 Reasons to be Optimistic

10. Down sizing of the aerospace industry is largely over with job losses slowing. The industry will likely expand again over the next few years.

9. State government's fiscal health has improved considerably. The economy has stimulated tax revenues making the budget easier to balance.

8. The net number of people leaving the state is slowing while the number of people moving to California from other states is growing.

7. Exports continue to expand strongly with exports produced in California growing 19% in 1995. High tech exports are particularly strong.

6. Personal income has quickly increased by 6.2% in 1995 and 7.6% in the first half of 1996. Strong growth is predicted in 1997.

5. Taxable sales have picked up sharply after leveling off in 1993. Sales grew 5% in 1994& 1995 and 7.6% in the first half of 1996.

4. Unemployment continues to fall and is at the lowest rate since December 1990. It is expected to fall further in 1997.

3. Job growth has picked up and strengthened in California for the 4th year in a row in 1996. For the first time since 1990, job growth was stronger in the state than in the nation.

2. Jobs are growing quickly in promising and high-paying industries such as computer services, biotechnology, film pro-duction, security brokerage and telecommunications software.

1. Californians have become more confident about the state economy. The consumer confidence index for the Pacific West has risen considerably in the last 3 years.

Spearman Hard at Work

For 12 years, Spearman served as the Relocation Director for the office. In 1994 she was recognized by the board as "Realtor of the Year." A long time Downey resident, her concerns extend beyond the real estate industry. Spearman is continually working to better the community. Her memberships include the BRAID Committee, Soroptimists, 2nd Century Foundation and the Sweet Adelines chorus. She also serves as president of the Friends of the Downey City Library. "Downey is more than just where I work, this is where my husband and I went to school and where we raised our children," Spearman said proudly. "It's in everyone's best interest that we all take an active role in maintaining and improving our community. I truly love it here!"

Committee Members

Mission Statement