2012 Business Directory & Community Guide - Fullerton Chamber of ...

What is the Fullerton Chamber of
Commerce doing to help support
business? Where do we stand?
Business and Economic Development
The Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting business
expansion and retention within the city of Fullerton. We continue
to assist businesses in their successful growth, development and
expansion by: encouraging the advancement of comprehensive
infrastructure systems that are conducive to business growth;
supporting a local government culture that is focused on aiding,
as opposed to regulating local businesses; and through the
development of a qualified work force and sufficient residential
housing to meet the employment needs of member businesses. We
actively oppose legislative measures at the State and Federal levels
that would negatively impact or impede the success and viability of
our member businesses and support legislation that fosters business
expansion and the economic growth of Fullerton.
Education and Workforce Development
An educated and skilled workforce with a strong work ethic
and sense of values is the foundation of a competitive economy.
Communication skills, math, science, and other academic
fundamentals, as well as the practical skills of today’s workplace,
are imperative for Fullerton’s economic health.
Energy and Environment
The Chamber is working to ensure reliable, stable and competitively
priced energy supplies in order to retain and attract businesses to
Fullerton. Recognizing that environmental protection and economic
development are not mutually exclusive goals, we support a balance
between environmental regulation and economic security. We work
to protect our environment without sacrificing economic prosperity.
Housing and Land Use
The Fullerton Chamber of Commerce supports policies that facilitate
and assist the creation of a full range of housing options necessary
to accommodate Fullerton’s population and economic growth. We
support developments that provide the necessary supply of homes
to meet employers’ workforce needs. The Chamber works with local
government and landowners to ensure that sufficient housing is
available within the city and surrounding areas to accommodate
economic development in Fullerton.
Taxation, Fees and Assessments
We support a taxation policy that is simple, fair to both individuals
and businesses at all ends of the financial spectrum and encourages
investment in our economy.
Transportation
A well maintained community infrastructure that supports
economic expansion and the efficient movement of people, goods and
services is essential. To continue to be economically sound, Fullerton
must strive for a transportation system that meets the growing
needs of the business community and the general populace while
enhancing the community’s overall quality of life.
Workplace Issues
We support reforms that will be cost-effective in building a strong
and stable workforce, maintaining a safe workplace and complying
with government regulation. The California business community
has been plagued with an abused workers’ compensation system,
a complex worker classification system, skyrocketing health
care costs, expansion of employer liability, and minimum wage
increases. These issues increase costs, limit flexibility and stifle
business development within the State and the City of Fullerton. P
Creating a Strong Local Economy
The Fullerton Chamber of Commerce has made a commitment to help
local companies grow their business by taking the lead in programs
and efforts that create a strong local economy and make Fullerton a
great place to do business.
Fullerton’s historic downtown is famous for its boutique retail shops
and diverse restaurants which offer residents and visitors a new
experience with each visit. The Fullerton Chamber of Commerce,
in partnership with local vendors and the City of Fullerton, work to
promote shopping in Fullerton each year with the annual
Shop Fullerton campaign—driving consumers to keep their
tax dollars in Fullerton not only during the holidays, but also year
round. Many chamber members offer discounts and coupons for the
community and members as an incentive to always shop Fullerton
first. Our active Member to Member Discount Program
encourages the membership to continue to support local businesses
and to save money by doing so.
As a benefit of Chamber membership, new businesses, and those
celebrating anniversaries or renovations are encouraged to partner
with the Fullerton Chamber to showcase their business with a
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. In the past year, the Chamber
welcomed over 140 new members, honored more than 40 businesses
Representing Business in Government
When the Chamber was formed in the early 1900s, a key priority
was to ensure local businesses were supported by the city
government and able to grow. Local leaders relied upon the Fullerton
Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the needs of its members in the
business community with city staff.
Today, the North Orange County Legislative Alliance, representing
Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, and Yorba Linda Chambers of
Commerce, hosts an annual reception honoring the community’s
elected officials each February at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba
Linda. The event offers members from each chamber the opportunity
to meet the elected officials serving their community. Invited guests
include Congressman Ed Royce, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez,
State Senators Mimi Walters and Lou Correa, State Assemblyman
Chris Norby, members of Fullerton City Council, school boards, and
other representatives from neighboring municipalities.
Each of our members is encouraged to join other business
leaders from chambers of commerce throughout the state for
CalChamber’s Legislative Summit in Sacramento. The
CalChamber Summit provides business and local chamber of
commerce leaders a forum to meet with peers and state policy
experts and to focus on issues facing California businesses.
celebrating opening their doors, and celebrated three very special
anniversaries: the 40th anniversary of Angelo’s and Vinci’s
Ristorante; the 50th anniversary of Fullerton Recreational Riders;
and the 100th anniversary of McAulay & Wallace Mortuary. During
a period of economic difficulty, it is significant to note that Fullerton
entrepreneurs have continued to call Fullerton their home for many
years and plan to for many years to come.
The Fullerton Chamber of Commerce works with the City of Fullerton
to promote growth through various programs and endeavors.
Specifically, The City of Fullerton offers businesses support through
EDAT (Economic Development Action Team). The City
of Fullerton created EDAT in 1993 to provide high-level customer
service to businesses considering expansions or relocations in
Fullerton. EDAT is composed of five senior staff members from
different departments. During the introductory EDAT meeting,
questions are answered and process details clarified, streamlining
the approval process so businesses can open for business faster and
easier. Ultimately, EDAT’s objective is to begin building a relationship
with the business that will serve as a foundation for future success
and growth in the City of Fullerton. For more information on EDAT,
please call Nicole Bernard at 714-738-4102 or
email EDAT@ci.fullerton.ca.us. P
The Summit aims to prepare attendees to be active in the policymaking
process and to present the business perspective on issues
affecting businesses’ bottom lines. State legislators are invited to
join their constituents at the Summit luncheon, which also features
presentations recognizing outstanding advocacy on behalf of
small businesses by local chambers of commerce; the HR Partner
of the Year Award; and local chambers that have supported the
CalChamber’s candidate political action committee, CalChamberPAC.
The business community is encouraged to visit the Chamber’s
advocacy website, FullertonBusinessVotes.com—the
Chamber’s legislative and political advocacy action center. There,
members can find tools to register to vote; learn about the officials
who represent their business and the candidates seeking office; and
how they can ensure their voice is heard.
The Fullerton Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to being the active
voice of business throughout the city. P
For more information about the Chamber working for
your business, go to: www.FullertonChamber.com
6 Public Policy Positions Fullerton Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Directory & Community Guide Economy & Government
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