Why Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is a global economic powerhouse, boasting the world's third-largest metropolitan economy. For generations, people from around the globe have come to Los Angeles to create the future and have helped to build one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in history. Our investments in transportation infrastructure, housing, education, and workforce development help make Los Angeles the preferred destination to start and grow a business as well as start and grow a family.
WORKFORCE
WorkSource Centers
The EWDD manages a network of workforce service providers comprised of 17 America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) and 16 YouthSource Centers (YSC). These centers are located strategically throughout the City, where they provide diverse workforce development services for City residents and businesses. In the LA area, you will likely find a large selection of smart, qualified employees and customers. If your business has special training needs, the Workforce Development Boards, community colleges, or the State Employment Training Panel can literally train workers to your order.
Get more information on the City's WorkSource Centers.
Education
Los Angeles is home to a wide array of Colleges and Universities. The largest universities in the City area are the University of Southern California (USC), with 15,331 graduates; the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with 12,750 graduates; and California State University, Northridge (CSUN), with 9,268 graduates.
In addition, there are 100 campuses of higher education in Los Angeles County. This count includes:
The EWDD manages a network of workforce service providers comprised of 17 America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) and 16 YouthSource Centers (YSC). These centers are located strategically throughout the City, where they provide diverse workforce development services for City residents and businesses. In the LA area, you will likely find a large selection of smart, qualified employees and customers. If your business has special training needs, the Workforce Development Boards, community colleges, or the State Employment Training Panel can literally train workers to your order.
Get more information on the City's WorkSource Centers.
Education
Los Angeles is home to a wide array of Colleges and Universities. The largest universities in the City area are the University of Southern California (USC), with 15,331 graduates; the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with 12,750 graduates; and California State University, Northridge (CSUN), with 9,268 graduates.
In addition, there are 100 campuses of higher education in Los Angeles County. This count includes:
- Five campuses of the California State University system
- Private institutions like Caltech, the Claremont Colleges, Occidental College, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Woodbury University, and Otis College of Art and Design
- Major research universities
- Specialized institutions that offer an array of programs, including computer-assisted design and manufacturing, computer animation, apparel design, and culinary arts
- 14 Community Colleges
REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY
For generations, Los Angeles has set a global standard that has helped build one of the most diverse and forward-thinking cities in history. With instant name recognition around the globe, LA is known as a place where new ideas and fresh thinking are as much a part of the landscape as our mountains, beaches, and unrivaled weather.
The City has several initiatives already underway to modernize its infrastructure, including significant facility upgrades at the Port of Los Angeles and LAX. Over the next 40 years, Measure M will also provide the County with over $120 billion in transportation investments, much of which will be within the City. To leverage pending capital investments in transit, tourism, and trade infrastructure for economic growth, the City will use its assets to develop transformative urban projects and enhance Los Angeles' international points of entry to grow its economic base.
The City has several initiatives already underway to modernize its infrastructure, including significant facility upgrades at the Port of Los Angeles and LAX. Over the next 40 years, Measure M will also provide the County with over $120 billion in transportation investments, much of which will be within the City. To leverage pending capital investments in transit, tourism, and trade infrastructure for economic growth, the City will use its assets to develop transformative urban projects and enhance Los Angeles' international points of entry to grow its economic base.
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- According to the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, Los Angeles reached a historic milestone in 2018, welcoming 50 million visitors for the first time ever and accomplishing the destination’s ambitious tourism goal two years early
- Los Angeles is home to Los Angeles World Airports, the fifth busiest commercial airport in the world and the second busiest in the United States
- In addition to LAX, there are two additional commercial airports in the area
- According to the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, Los Angeles reached a historic milestone in 2018, welcoming 50 million visitors for the first time ever and accomplishing the destination’s ambitious tourism goal two years early
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- As the international shipping gateway to the world, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are numbers one and two in the nation in terms of container traffic
- For nearly two decades, the Port of Los Angeles has moved more cargo than any other port in the nation, more than doubling volumes during this time. LA is a major economic driver for the local, regional and national economy. The Port of Los Angeles hosts 147,000 jobs in LA and facilitated an estimated cargo value of $284 billion in 2017
- Get a full review of current statistical facts and figures from the Port of Los Angeles website
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- With a strong port infrastructure, main rail lines for both the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads ensure efficient movement to and from the ports. Many rail cars utilize the Alameda Corridor, a 20-mile-long rail cargo.
- In addition, there are a dozen major freeways that span hundreds of miles connect the various regions of LA
- Metro Rail is the ninth-busiest rapid transit system in the United States
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In November 2016, LA County voters approved Measure M, the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan. The major goals of Measure M include:
- Create jobs, reduce pollution, and generate local economic benefits
- Ease traffic congestion, improve freeway traffic flow, and reduce bottlenecks
- Expand rail and rapid transit system and improve system connectivity
- Repair and improve local streets, synchronize signals, and enhance bike and pedestrian connections
- Make public transportation more accessible, convenient, and affordable for seniors, students, and the disabled
- Earthquake-retrofit bridges, and keep the transit and highway system safe
- Incorporate modern technology, new advancements, and emerging innovations into the local transportation system
HOUSING
The Proposition HHH Supportive Housing Loan Program (Prop HHH) is designed to develop supportive housing for homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness throughout the City. Currently, there are over 34,000 homeless individuals in the City of Los Angeles; citywide, there is a shortage of affordable housing units.
In 2016, LA voters overwhelmingly voted for a $0.348 per square foot property tax, which will fund the $1.2 billion measure. The program's emphasis is on reducing homelessness by creating safe and affordable housing units and increasing accessibility to a variety of necessary services and treatment programs. To see the progress of Prop HHH, visit the LA Housing and Community Investment Department (LAHCID) website to review the Prop HHH Developments Summary.
In 2016, LA voters overwhelmingly voted for a $0.348 per square foot property tax, which will fund the $1.2 billion measure. The program's emphasis is on reducing homelessness by creating safe and affordable housing units and increasing accessibility to a variety of necessary services and treatment programs. To see the progress of Prop HHH, visit the LA Housing and Community Investment Department (LAHCID) website to review the Prop HHH Developments Summary.
LEADING INDUSTRY
The City of Los Angeles is the home to many cutting edge employers, providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. The City continues to emphasize a sector-driven approach to workforce development to meet the needs of employers in specific industries within the region.
In Program Year 2015-16, the City launched major initiatives to further the sector-driven approach. Two of these initiatives are Industry Sector Strategy (aligning workforce and education programs with leading and emergent industry skills needs) and Specialized Sector Training.
In Program Year 2015-16, the City launched major initiatives to further the sector-driven approach. Two of these initiatives are Industry Sector Strategy (aligning workforce and education programs with leading and emergent industry skills needs) and Specialized Sector Training.
Industry Sector Strategies
- Logistics
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Information Technology
- Biotech/Biosciences
Specialized Sector Training
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Information Technology
- Biotech/Biosciences
- Transportation and Logistics
- Construction
- Healthcare
GENERAL PLAN AND COMMUNITY PLANS
The City of Los Angeles Citywide General Plan essentially serves as a "constitution for development" - the document that serves as the foundation for all land-use decisions. The General Plan Framework Element establishes the broad overall policy and direction for the entire General Plan. It provides a citywide context and a comprehensive long-range strategy to guide the comprehensive update of the General Plan’s other elements.
The City’s 35 community plans collectively comprise the Land Use Element of the General Plan. The department will be preparing in the future an Infrastructure Systems Element, Public Facilities and Services Element, and a Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources Element.
Visit the LA City Department of Planning website for more details.
The City’s 35 community plans collectively comprise the Land Use Element of the General Plan. The department will be preparing in the future an Infrastructure Systems Element, Public Facilities and Services Element, and a Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources Element.
Visit the LA City Department of Planning website for more details.
LOCATION
Renowned for mild and beautiful weather, Los Angeles boasts a year-round outdoor lifestyle. LA is a place where residents can experience beautiful beaches, epic hiking and camping, world class dining, music, fine and performing arts, and professional sports.
The future home of the 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles is also home to:
The future home of the 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles is also home to:
- Getty Center and the Getty Villa
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
- Norton Simon Museum
- Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
- Disney Concert Hall
- Hollywood Bowl
- Nokia Theatre
- Hollywood Walk of Fame and Mann Chinese Theater
- Griffith Park and Observatory
- MLB teams, LA Dodgers and LA Angels
- NBA teams, LA Lakers and LA Clippers
- WNBA team LA Sparks
- NHL team LA Kings
- NFL teams, LA Rams and LA Chargers
- MLS teams, LA Football Club and LA Galaxy
- Additionally, the acclaimed collegiate teams of USC have captured 94 NCAA team championships, 117 national team titles and 361 NCAA individual championships, while UCLA teams won 108 NCAA team championships
LOS ANGELES ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AREAS MAP
Map provided by the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning