If you’re wondering what the hoopla is over the recent station billboard unveilings in Monrovia and Irwindale, look no further than a recent economic study that projects $1 billion in economic boost for the region as a result of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2A (Pasadena to Azusa). The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), a non-profit group comprised of today’s top economic minds and tasked with looking out for our county’s financial well-being, announced that construction of Phase 2A would create nearly 7,000 new jobs and contribute nearly $1 billion to our economy in salaries, business revenues, and taxes.

If we stick to the Construction Authority’s current schedule, all of these benefits will be realized in the next three years – not too soon for county residents and businesses suffering through this recession.

Foothill Extension Project Director to Speak at Economic Recovery Forum

(click for event flyer)

If you are free this morning, you can come out to hear Chris Burner, Chief Project Officer at the Construction Authority, talk more about the jobs and economic impact of the project. Today’s Economic Recovery Forum at Woodbury University in Burbank begins at 8:00 AM. The discussion will be moderated by transit figure and current California Transportation Commissioner Larry Zarian, and additional guests will include Paul Audley of FilmLA, Josephine Marquez of the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board, and Cathy Martin of the California Hospital Association.

If you can’t attend, follow the event with us on Twitter @iwillride.

See you all at the next station billboard unveiling (by the way, it is January 30 in Duarte at 10:00 AM)!