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Torrance officials say trade ties, auto tech and events are central to downtown and international business push
Summary
City staff updated the council on business-attraction efforts, citing a recent win with Sony Honda Mobility, friendship-city outreach, downtown improvements and metrics on visitors, events and permits.
Fran Fulton, the city’s economic development manager, told the Torrance City Council that the Office of Economic Development has focused this year on international relations, business attraction and downtown revitalization. The presentation recapped work since the last update, cited a $100,000 incentive fund used to recruit Sony Honda Mobility’s Southern California hub, and highlighted metrics for hotels, events and film activity.
Why it matters: Council members framed the work as a long-term strategy to increase sales tax, hotel stays and foot traffic in Downtown Torrance and to position the city as a base for international athletes and businesses coming to the Los Angeles region for major events.
Fulton said the city used the business-attraction incentive program to help Sony Honda Mobility move quickly into a Prairie Avenue site, and reported that $54,381.88 of the $100,000 allocation had been spent covering permit and expediting fees. She listed other outreach results: a friendship-city delegation from Oshu, Japan; connections with Chiang Mai and other partners; and follow-up with Japanese startups and business incubators.
The presentation also described downtown streetscape work and special events. Community development and public works have added string lights, replaced palm-tree planters and are planning gateway signage at several intersections; the state grant will fund streetscape improvements along Cabrillo. Fulton said the business-improvement-district petition failed to reach the 50.1% assessment support threshold (current support reported as 33.45%). Using Placer AI data, staff estimated roughly 9,000 visitors at the city’s “scare down” event and more than 5,000 at the holiday stroll.
On commercial indicators, the presentation reported hotel occupancy averaging 83.6% and an average daily rate around $166.40. Local auto sales were characterized as slightly higher than a prior reporting period (weekend average cited around 298 vehicles and monthly 1,339). Film and special-event permitting were also discussed; staff listed several recent commercial permits and reported associated fees and police and department charges.
Council members pressed for clearer metrics showing net returns. Councilmember Sheikh and others asked staff to report the net business-licensing impact, year-over-year business counts, and a fuller accounting of Friendship Cities program costs and returns. Fulton and city staff said they would compile expenditures (including staff time) and attempt to show measurable returns—hotel stays, sales-tax and business-license impacts—ahead of the next budget cycle.
Mayor Chen and city officials repeatedly framed the work as long-term relationship building rather than immediate, direct returns. Council members asked staff to track industry mix and to show how international outreach, events and incentives translate into measurable revenue.
The council voted unanimously to accept and file the economic development update.
