Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce outlines comeback plan, city funding paused pending council talks

Ray Foss, board chair of the Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce, and board member Gerald Loomba told the Economic Development Commission on Sept. 9 that the chamber is rebuilding after recent setbacks and is working to restore programming, membership and a paid executive director.

Foss said the chamber has undergone reorganization and is “very much alive and well,” and described plans to restart programming aimed at business support, including a monthly “Jeans and Java” networking event the last Friday of each month, an Oct. 1 “Breakfast and Learn” on estate planning at Lazy Dog Cafe, an Oct. 16 networking mixer (location TBA, noted as North Italia), and plans to revive the Taste of Cerritos event in early 2026. Gerald Loomba said his chamber involvement since 2007 has led to business benefits and client relationships through chamber activities.

Commissioners asked whether the chamber measures outcomes. Commissioner Chang asked about performance metrics; Foss said the board has been in “survival mode” and currently has no formal metrics but plans to reengage membership and work toward positive cash flow over the next 12 months. Staff clarified the City of Cerritos is not currently a chamber member but acts as a community partner; city staff told the commission that annual financial assistance to the chamber was paused during the most recent budget review. Staff noted the city previously provided financial support that increased to about $60,000 in prior years, and that City Council directed staff to continue discussions with the chamber about potential future funding.

The presentation was informational; commissioners welcomed the chamber’s return and asked the organization to provide more detail on priorities and metrics in coming months so the commission and council can evaluate possible partnership options. No funding decisions were made at the meeting.