Community Lending: Nine banks recently made $100...
Community Lending: Nine banks recently made $100 million in co-lending commitments to the Los Angeles Community Development Bank, bringing the total pledged by financial institutions to $310 million. The money will be routed through community development organizations to small businesses in the form of loans or venture capital or to provide technical assistance. The bank is a public-private partnership of federal, city and county governments and private lenders. Information: (213) 614-3132.
Christian Retailers to Gather: About 1,500 exhibitors are expected to attend the Christian Booksellers Assn. conference July 13-18 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Annual sales of Christian-related gifts, books and music nationwide have reached $3 billion, up from $1 billion in 1980, the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based association says. Exhibitors can register at the site. Cost for members is $15 a day or $30 for the week; for others, $25 or $55. Information: (719) 576-7880.
Sales Alliances: A two-hour USC Business Expansion Network workshop on forging strategic alliances and building customer relationships will meet at 6:30 p.m. July 15. Lee Reinke Bright, president of Bright Marketing International, will conduct marketing audits and give marketing tips. Cost is $25. Information: (213) 743-1726.
Female Entrepreneurs: Start-up basics for female entrepreneurs is the topic of a session to be offered by female business owners at 2 p.m. July 18 at the Santa Monica Small Business Development Center. Admission is $10. Also among the July sessions at the center is a free IRS small-business tax workshop. Information: (310) 398-8883.
Valley Chambers Web Site: The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley now has a Web site (https://www.sfvalley.org/ucc) with legislative updates and lists of the UCC’s 21 chamber offices and presidents. The page has links to government officials; the Commerce Department; the Small Business Administration; the city of Los Angeles Business Team (part of Mayor Richard Riordan’s effort to aid businesses); and the Business Advisor, a one-stop electronic link to federal resources.
