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San Fernando Valley mayors highlight wildfire recovery, business programs and infrastructure ahead of 2026
Summary
Mayors and city representatives from San Fernando, Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale and Calabasas used the Alliance meeting to summarize 2025 recovery efforts, business-support programs and infrastructure projects tied to jobs and the 2028 Olympics.
Mayors and city representatives used the Valley Economic Alliance annual meeting in San Fernando to summarize local recovery efforts, economic-development programs and infrastructure projects.
Joel Fardo, introduced as the newly appointed mayor of San Fernando, outlined the city's small size and community context and introduced a city recap video that emphasized local recovery from wildfires and a program called San Fernando Together, which provided emergency relief, food distributions and one-time financial assistance while connecting residents to housing and social services.
Max Reyes, identified as director of economic policy for the Los Angeles mayor's office, described Los Angeles programs to support small businesses, including a city contract financing program supported by a $1 million donation from the Bank of California. Reyes also described regional infrastructure and workforce preparation tied to the 2028 Olympics and noted city efforts to protect film and TV jobs through expanded tax credits and streamlined local processes.
Burbank Mayor Nikki Perez highlighted her city's tourism and entertainment economy, citing recent gains in visitation and hospitality metrics, the Rams Village at Warner Center project and airport terminal expansion slated for 2026 that officials say will support jobs. Perez also described housing and hotel projects intended to add capacity and downtown vitality.
Ara Najarian, speaking for Glendale, emphasized permit-streamlining steps (including a five-day target for tenant improvement reviews), affordable housing commitments and new digital engagement tools for residents. Calabasas Mayor James Bazin described regional broadband and sustainability projects including a Las Virgenes regional fiber optic backbone and local micromobility investments.
Speakers presented these city updates as examples of public-private collaboration with the Alliance; no new binding intergovernmental agreements or ordinances were proposed during these presentations.
