September 2011 PR

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Monroviais competing against Commerce, Duarte, Gardena and La Mirada in the category of cities with a population of 60,000 or less for the honor, which is awarded by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. For populations 60,000 and higher, the finalists are Burbank, Carson, Glendale, Torrance, West Covina and Whittier.

“We are pleased to be named as a finalist for this award. Certainly our business community believes we are the most business friendly,” Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said. “It is gratifying to see the judges concur.”

This is the third time that Monrovia has been nominated for the annual award. Monrovia was a finalist in 2010 and 2008. City officials and members of the business community are hoping that “this is the year,” especially considering the recent advancements in Monrovia’s economic and redevelopment strategies.

The City has taken great strides over the past year to both formalize and enhance its economic development activities, including the addition of the Online Business Resource Center, the creation of the My Monrovia Business Blog, and the Economic Development Action Plan, which was approved by the City Council in April 2010.

Combine these with the existing aggressive redevelopment and economic development strategies – which have led to the retention of Worley Parsons and attraction of top retailers such as Living Spaces, Kohls and Pet Smart – and it becomes clear why Monrovia deserves the award, city officials said.

“In Monrovia, we have an economic development tradition that is centered on diversifying our business portfolio, providing first-class public service, and doing everything we can to get businesses up and running as quickly as possible,” City Manager Scott Ochoa said. “What makes our actions different in the last year compared to previous years, however, is that we now have a formalized plan that details just how we will continue to help new and existing businesses fulfill their goals and ambitions in Monrovia.”

Members of the business community said they were pleased to hear of the announcement, but were not surprised.

“The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce meets many people that are prospective Monrovia business owners, and our relationship with the City enables us to refer them quickly to the appropriate department of the City,” said Karin Crehan, executive director of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce. “Inevitably, these people come back to let us know how easy it was to work with the City and how quickly they were able to complete the process.”

Finalists for the award were selected on criteria including demonstrated commitment to economic development as a priority, excellence in programs and services designed to facilitate business entry, expansion and retention, availability of economic incentives, and effective communication with and about business clients, among others.

According to the LAEDC, “Monrovia public officials and staff work tirelessly to attract and retain businesses” by offering financial relocation assistance, lease and tenant subsidies, broker bounties, business development assistance in Old Town, and by having few taxes and low fees.

The winners will be announced by the LAEDC, which created the “business-friendly” award category in 2006 to recognize cities within the County that are proactively promoting business friendly programs, at the 16th Annual Eddy Awards on Nov. 3 at the Beverly Hilton.

“The 2011 finalists stand out as model communities in Los Angeles County that are proactively engaging and working with businesses and the private sector to create jobs for their residents,” LAEDC President Bill Allen said.

To learn more about the City of Monrovia’s Redevelopment and Economic Development strategy, visit http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/red-home

Monrovia Mayor to be Honored by NAACP

Posted September 7, 2011

PASADENA – The Pasadena branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is honoring Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz on Thursday at the 26^th Annual Awards Dinner for her “dedication to improving the quality of life for all Monrovians,” said Pasadena NAACP President Joe Brown.

“Over the past three years, we have watched her transform the City of Monrovia for the better,” said President Brown, who expects nearly 400 people to attend the event, which will be held at the Pasadena Hilton. “She is the epitome of what every new incoming mayor should be about – that is inclusion at the table for everyone.”

Each year, the Pasadena NAACP – which represents Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia and Duarte – selects individuals and businesses who help improve the quality of life in their communities. This year, Mayor Lutz will be honored along with Pasadena Police Chief Phil Sanchez and Duarte Councilwoman Lois Gaston, among others.

Mayor Lutz was recommended nearly two years ago, during which time the NAACP observed her service to the community. Of particular interest to the selection committee was her leadership and ability to make good on her promises, President Brown said.

“I’m truly honored to be recognized by an organization that has been fighting for the past 92 years to ensure that everyone is treated with equality and fairness,” said Mayor Mary Ann Lutz. “No matter how much progress we think we’ve made through the years, it is more important than ever to remain committed to ensuring justice for all – and the NAACP has done just that for many of our San Gabriel Valley residents.”

The Pasadena branch of the NAACP was founded on Sept. 8, 1919, when a small group of citizens was called by John Wright, who eventually became the founding president, to meet and discuss the need of minority people of Pasadena and surrounding areas. Today, it is the 13^th oldest branch of the nearly 3,000 NAACP branches that exist in the United States.