Port Of Long Beach Releases Draft Of Updated Master Plan
The Port of Long Beach today released a draft of its revised Master Plan, which has not been comprehensively updated since 1990. The plan takes into consideration long-range forecasts related to trade growth, the port’s operational capacity, environmental concerns, community needs and other factors. The document assesses these factors as they relate to the need to develop various aspects of the port’s infrastructure and capacity. Some proposed developments include: improving Pier T by expanding on-dock rail infrastructure, among other projects; creating a new 100-acre container terminal at Pier W; redeveloping the terminal at Pier J; and others. The public can comment on the plan before the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners at the board’s August 26 meeting at the new Bob Foster Civic Chambers, 6 p.m., City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd. Comments are accepted through September 30, and may be submitted to pmp@polb.com.
Agencies Announce Collaboration To Help Small Businesses
In an effort to empower California entrepreneurs, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) have aligned to support the state’s small business market, which consists of four million entities. The SBA’s six California offices will work with CalChamber to strengthen and expand small business development, including in rural areas and in “opportunity zones” that are designed to spur growth in low-income communities. The new partnership will kick off in July with a free training webinar for California small business owners on state labor and employment laws. “There has never been a better time to start or grow a small business,” SBA’s Region IX Administrator Michael Vallante stated in a joint announcement. “And the SBA’s partnership with CalChamber will help more California entrepreneurs use our programs to get their small businesses going and keep them growing.”
Molina Healthcare Appoints New Plan President
Molina Healthcare of California announced John Kotal as its new plan president. Kotal is responsible for operational oversight of the California health plan, and the implementation and execution of the plan’s strategic initiatives, according to the company’s announcement. Kotal has served as vice president of vendor management at Molina Healthcare since 2018. He has more than 20 years of managed care experience in provider network management, health plan operations, compliance and vendor management.
St. Mary Medical Center’s Heart-Failure Treatment Recognized With Award
Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center (St. Mary) announced today that it is the recipient of the American Heart Association’s 2019 Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the medical center’s ability to meet quality health standards for diagnosis and treatment of heart-failure patients at a set level for a designated period. St. Mary’s measures include evaluating the proper use of medications and risk-reduction therapies for patients. “We are pleased to recognize St. Mary Medical Center for its commitment to heart-failure care,” Eric Smith, national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee, stated. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer re-admissions and lower mortality rates.”