News
Torrance Chamber Members Voice Their Opposition to SB1383,
A Proposal That Would Devastate Small Business in California
Members of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce actively took part in a coalition meeting hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce to voice their concern in opposition of SB 1383 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara) this past Thursday. More than 85 associations that represent thousands of employers have joined the CalChamber in opposing the measure.  The coalition met with Assembly member Al Muratsuchi, 66th District.

Laurie Porter, Smog City Brewery; Larry Halvorsen, Express Personnel Services; Laurie Brandt, Red Car Brewery and Restaurant; Kirk Rossberg, Torrance Bakery and Charles Gale, Metropolitan Water District individually expressed their concerns. Assembly member Muratsuchi listened and asked follow-up questions. Read More.
Torrance Chamber Continues to Fight for Relief on Behalf of Businesses
The Torrance Chamber is pleased to announce that bipartisan Recovery Fund legislation, called the Small Business Comeback Act, has been introduced by Congressmen Filemon Vela (D-TX) and Lance Gooden (R-TX). 
 
Although titled the  Small Business Comeback Act , the legislation is applicable to businesses of all sizes and industries and provides up to $50M in grants to those businesses that can demonstrate COVID-19 impairment as defined in the legislation... Read More
CalChamber Provides Tips for Fostering Workplace Diversity
In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Albertsons Companies Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Jonathan Mayes discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and provide best practices to help foster a diverse workforce, which will help the company succeed. Read article or listen to podcast by Clicking Here.
Duperron Attends United States Space Force 
Virtual Activation and Inactivation Ceremony
Donna Duperron, President & CEO, attended the Virtual Activation and Inactivation Ceremony for the United States Space Force (USSF) this past week. Colonel Suzy Streeter, Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, USSF was master of ceremonies.

General John Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, USSF stated that this ceremony highlights the most significant restructure of the space unit since the establishment of Air Force Space Command in September 1982.

During the ceremony attendees saw the activation of Peterson-Schriever Garrison and Buckley Garrison and the Inactivating of 21st Space Wing and 50th Space Wing. Additionally, a ceremony activating STAR (Space Training and Readiness) Delta Provisional and Space Deltas 2-9 took place.
Ways to Support Local... Safely!
Together with Governor Newsom’s Taskforce on Business and Jobs Recovery, the Torrance Chamber has joined the regional #ShopSafeShopLocal program which is a call to action to all Californians to spend locally, while amplifying resources to support small businesses and help all of our diverse neighborhoods thrive. To learn more about this initiative, please Visit Here.

The Chamber thanks these local Chamber member businesses for participating in supporting this initiative over social media, with prompt from the Chamber: Gaetano's, The Promotions Dept., AR Workshop, Reborn Cabinets, Sofia Bella Bridal, Andes Florist, Sockprints, Paul's Photo, Macys Del Amo, The Depot, Breakwater International California, South Bay Hearing & Balance Center, Fastest Labs of Torrance, and Torrance Bakery.
Author Attempts to Revive Failed Job Killer Housing Bill
With only about four weeks left in the legislative session and virtually no opportunity for meaningful stakeholder engagement, a reboot of a job killer proposal making extensive changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has surfaced in the Senate. SB 55 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara)  adds substantial time and costs to the CEQA process and provides project opponents with new legal arguments to delay or block housing and other projects.  Read More.
"Spread Kindness, Not Covid"
At the July 14, 2020 City Council Meeting, Councilman Tim Goodrich with concurrence from City Council, requested that staff develop a Citywide campaign to combat hate with kindness, support, and inclusion. Changes are happening and at times it can feel out of our control. For some, these changes can trigger irritable emotions. We’re in this pandemic together. Let’s work together to strengthen the Torrance neighborly spirit. During this campaign, initiated by the City of Torrance, we are asking the community to participate by wearing masks in public and demonstrating acts of kindness to show that goodness always wins over hate and kindness is contagious. Want to participate in this? Click Here to see the multiple ways you can be a part of this movement.
Labor Law Corner: COVID-19 and a New Hire’s Expired Identity Document
"We just hired an employee who does not have a current identity document. Her driver license expired on April 1, and she says that she has not been able to renew it due to COVID-19. Can we hire her? " Read More.
Torrance Chamber Chat Podcast: Back from Hiatus!
In this Torrance Chamber Chat episode, we celebrate coming back from a hiatus due to the pandemic and other social economic challenges. Back with new leadership for the Ambassador Committee, new leadership for the Board of Directors, and some upcoming events that all members of the Torrance Chamber can attend! Click Here to listen to Episode #08.
Have you found any 'best practices' in this ever-changing landscape? What about tips or experiences you wish to share? Or even things to avoid doing?

We want to give Chamber member businesses the opportunity to voice their stories to the Torrance area business community. If you have any tried-and-true knowledge of the topics below, let us know!
  • Training new employees
  • Fostering customer loyalty
  • Business assisting other businesses
  • Transparency to clients
  • Setting reasonable expectations
  • Getting old customers to return
  • Adaptability as a business owner
  • Customer’s current needs
  • Managing your cash flow
  • Diversifying your staff
  • Continuing to invest in your business
  • Enforcing rules while retaining customers
Upcoming Virtual Events
Click On The Event To Register
August 13th, 12:00 noon - Government Affairs Policy
August 18th, 9:00am - Chamber 101
August 18th, 12:00 noon - Business at Noon... Virtually!
August 28th, 8:00am - Small Business Program
Renewing Members
...Thank You!
Office Depot Rewards Program
As a member of Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, you are entitled to savings at Office Depot store. Discounts vary on items and services, but they do add up and you can save a significant amount annually on 175 most frequently needed items. Just another benefit of the membership! To enjoy this, Contact Us Here.
The Chamber helps businesses reach their full potential. Click Here to Join!