Los Angeles County, CA Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

The Challenge

With a population of 10 million people, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation. The county includes 88 cities that span an array of industry clusters, diverse occupational profiles and hundreds of cultures that contribute to the region’s exceptional character. The County faces pressing challenges in housing, transportation, and the environment, which must be mitigated to support a high quality of life for all residents. With a portfolio that spans housing development, grant management and business support activities, the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) desired a comprehensive strategic planning document to assure economic resiliency and smart growth for the next five years.

The Solution

Camoin Associates, along with project partner Maverick and Boutique, were commissioned to prepare a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (“CEDS”) for the LACDA. The project team conducted numerous multidisciplinary workshops all over the county to uncover the sectors with the greatest market potential and determine how the LACDA can strategically allocate resources. Findings from these workshops were combined with quantitative data and analysis to create actionable strategies that are grounded and leverage the County’s numerous existing assets.

The Impact

The planning process initiated important conversations among economic development stakeholders who are tasked with implementing the CEDS. Camoin Associates will remain in close contact with LACDA as our team prepares annual updates that accommodate changing market conditions and the roles of different county departments. The CEDS Committee and the plan will continue to play an important role in regional economic development planning as municipalities look to the CEDS for guidance on local grant applications.

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