LOCAL VIEW: BOOSTING CITY'S ECONOMY A UNIVERSAL ISSUE.

Byline: John Chuck

GOV. Pete Wilson and Mayor Richard Riordan have proclaimed that they seek to make this state and city ``business friendly'' by removing obstructions to business growth and development. The press's current coverage of economic growth and reduced unemployment seem to indicate that they are succeeding.

But we're not there yet.

The glamorous world of entertainment so prevalent in this city is in reality an economy that consists of local labor and small businesses, such as mine. Universal Studios, the largest private employer in the San Fernando Valley, is a major part of many of these businesses.

It seems ironic then that a company like Universal would be forced to spend over two years seeking approval to expand its studio operations and develop additional facilities. That means two years of lost jobs and revenues to local businesses and the community. We will not be getting those years back.

My business, as a rental and event production house, would benefit from Universal's expansion. But like other local businesses, any growth seen by my company would pass through to the community.

My company's revenues are passed along as paychecks to my staff of 40 and to the temporary production staff that can number 60 L.A. residents. It's passed along to the businesses where I rent equipment like trucks, scaffolds, bleachers and tents. It's passed along to the caterers, cooks and waiters I hire for premieres and parties, as well as the florists and even the local copy shop that produces my color presentation sketches.

The point is, via my work for Universal, several million dollars pass through my company into the hands of my employees and other local businesses. And I am just one of at least 2,000 businesses in the Valley alone that are dependent on the entertainment industry and its continued growth.

Having been in this business since 1978, I have seen Los Angeles face increasingly stiffer competition from other cities, states and countries for production and other entertainment business. Emerging technologies will continue to make it easier for production work to leave Los Angeles.

Unless steps are taken to ensure that we maintain a competitive advantage in entertainment-based industries, we could see the continuance of businesses' current activity - going elsewhere.

This is not about keeping L.A. the glamour capital. It's about talented local workers, businesses and families being able to maintain their livelihoods. To the governor and the mayor, I say that protecting jobs and fostering growth, as in the case of Universal Studios' proposed development, should be part of your ``business friendly'' promise.