Harry Sidhu on Jobs and Keeping Orange County's Economy Moving Forward

By Harry Sidhu

We need a stronger Orange County Business Climate. On the Board of Supervisors, I will continue working to cut burdensome regulations that prevent businesses from expanding and creating new jobs.

Our inaugural Anaheim/OC Job Fair and Expo was a remarkable partnership event with community and business leaders, all of whom can take pride in the fact that 7,500 job seekers and 102 employers made positive job growth connections. Our efforts led to a substantial accomplishment. By the end of the day, more than 1,000 potential employees were interviewed, and of that group, more than 400, or 34%, have now been hired for meaningful jobs in office and administrative support, production, military, healthcare, management, sales and sales related work, engineering and aerospace, retail and food service, protection services, as well as in business and financial operations. The fact that 102 employers hired 400 new employees demonstrates how we can optimistically facilitate an economic turnaround in job growth to combat unprecedented unemployment rates in our region.

In these tough economic times, we must keep building doors of opportunity for economic recovery in our region through creative job growth incentives that will relax or eliminate burdensome business regulations and lower taxes. In moving forward with such incentives, we will be producing a positive overall economic stimulus in the region.

Our 2010 Anaheim/OC Job Fair and Expo is scheduled for June 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk, 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. Employers and job seekers are invited to participate in this free event.

As a small business owner, I understand the difficulties faced on a daily basis due to overregulation. Small businesses need to be promoted and expanded for our communities and families to continue prospering and thriving in these difficult economic times. They are the driving force for our economy encompassing the dreams of individuals to create lives for their families, jobs for their neighbors, and security for the community. As an elected official, I will continue to support streamlined processes that encourage economic growth in traditional and emerging industries, thereby increasing employment opportunities.

We can all make a difference in creating job growth and stimulating economic turnaround by voicing our support for much-needed regulatory reform at all levels of government and through innovative, visionary action and incentives.

I would be honored to have your VOTE (No. 4 on your ballot)!

In sincere appreciation and gratitude,

Harry Sidhu

Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem