Chambers of Commerce Send Letter to State Officials

A coalition of chambers of commerce – including many in the Valley region – plan to send a letter to state elected officials Thursday voicing their concerns about the latest stay-at-home orders.Nancy Hoffman Vanyek, chief executive of the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce and one of the organizers behind the letter, said the most recent restrictions pose an existential threat to many small restaurants, retailers and offices.“These businesses cannot afford to survive right now,” she told the Business Journal. “Of course, it started with restaurants, but this is a regional problem now.”The letter argues that the restrictions favor large businesses over small ones because large corporations have the finances and e-commerce capabilities to operate profitably under the rules. In an email, Hoffman Vanyek explained “it is unacceptable for our state government to choose winners and losers in our business community. The most recent ‘Stay at Home Orders’ jeopardize the potential survival of even the most resilient small businesses.”In addition to the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, local chambers that have signed the letter include Antelope Valley, Encino, Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita Valley, Studio City, West Valley-Warner Center, North Valley Regional Chamber and United Chambers of Commerce. Also included on the letter are the Valley Economic Alliance, Los Angeles Brewers Guild, Valley Industry & Commerce Association, or VICA, and Los Angeles County Business Federation, or BizFed.So far, only business advocacy groups are behind the letter, not specific companies. Hoffman Vanyek said involving businesses “might be the next step,” and she encouraged people to write their respective elected officials on the economic impact of the restrictions.