You can't keep blaming Bush for CA's problems...
reviewjournal.com
Going hard after the Golden State
Ads aim to lure businesses to Nevada
By JOHN G. EDWARDS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
...Although some California executives like the business-friendly policies that Schwarzenegger favors, they are afraid no one can repair the state's $38 billion budget deficit and other problems soon, Hollingsworth said.
Hollingsworth said California business executives tell him, "There is no way they can stop this train within the next three to five years."
The area economic development chief said he was surprised to receive six inquiries from California businesses in ad campaign's first two days.
The rush from California started earlier without marketing, he said. He said 20 of the 54 companies that moved to Southern Nevada in the fiscal year ending June 30 were from California. Arizona, Utah and Texas also are attracting California businesses, he said.
"There is a mass exodus out of California and out of Los Angeles in particular," said Los Angeles-based manufacturer Mitchell Greif, who owns 40-year-old Coast Converters. The company has $20 million in annual sales and makes plastic packaging for products such as bread, potato chips and ice.
"We're leaving for a friendlier climate," he said. "Everyone, we have come into contact with (in Southern Nevada) has made us feel welcome."
Greif is gradually moving his operations to North Las Vegas and will employ 115 workers there.
"The city government (in Los Angeles) has done nothing to keep us," he said. Most troubling are the soaring costs of workers' compensation insurance, which he blames on frivolous lawsuits.
His workers' compensation insurance cost $225,000 two years ago and will run $570,000 this year and $700,000 next year.
He fears California will lose its manufacturing base if business conditions don't improve... |
