Southeast : ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

Gathering for an economic summit in Downey, business leaders from across southeast Los Angeles County are expected to set aside their competitive instincts for a few hours Thursday to brainstorm on how to create jobs.

The meeting, sponsored by the Southern California Assn. of Governments, will focus on a recent study that identified 13 key industries that fuel employment in the region, including aerospace, oil production and international trade.

Organizers hope that their guests--delegates from an estimated 150 businesses--will work out strategies to cut red tape and expand employment in the region.

Paramount City Manager Pat West said a new spirit of teamwork could ease any future layoffs by encouraging employment of area workers.

Southeast Los Angeles County has lost more than 125,000 jobs since 1990, due in part to federal defense cutbacks, which have hurt the aerospace industry. The conference begins Thursday at 8 a.m. at The Gas Company Energy Resource Center at 9240 E. Firestone Blvd. in Downey.