Experts aren't expected to gloss over the ugly stuff during a 12:30 p.m. presentation Friday (live broadcast here) on the state of international trade and its impact on our economy. With nearly 30,000 jobs in Long Beach tied to success at the port, global trade has become the city's top employer in recent years, providing careers in longshore work, shipping, warehousing, transportation, maritime law, freight forwarding, rail, security and logistics.
But the past year has proven to be especially difficult as trade volumes dropped 10 percent and layoffs began sweeping the waterfront with unprecedented fury.
But while much of the presentation is expected to focus on the downturn, speakers will also highlight potential growth, including more than $1 billion in redevelopment expected to break ground in and around the harbor complex in coming months. The projects are expected to create several thousand construction and engineering jobs during the next few years.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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