LA Mayor Announces Federal Designation ... Why is Our Mayor Silent?

City council passed my agenda item in February directing the City Manager to apply for federal designation as a potential manufacturing area through the LA County Economic Development Corporation.

If the City Manager did what the Council directed him to do, then why did the Mayor of Los Angeles make a major announcement about Southern California being selected but our Mayor (and Vice Mayor) is still silent as to whether or not Long Beach even bothered to file a letter of intent to participate? 

This is a major award from the federal government as it will give those non profits, organizations and government entities priority for $1.3 billion in federal grants to help stimulate manufacturing particularly related to our ports.

I know staff from the Port of Long Beach were involved with LAEDC, but the story I am getting is that the City sent in some paperwork but it never was finalized: " (the City) was not included in the application because a commitment letter could not be provided that defined the City's level of participation."

The City Council was never informed that a commitment letter was not provided nor the reasons the City Manager failed to file it.

Thank god the election is next Tuesday.

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