Spring 2026: “Local Economies, Local Power: Business Trends in LA City Council Districts” with Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
For the Spring 2026 semester, CPF POSC 395 Policy Research Internship students examined how a wide range of industries—from infrastructure and gaming to fashion and food technology—are shaping the city’s evolving business ecosystem and demonstrating how local innovation scales to meet global demand. They produced a Business Impact Report focused on an assigned Los Angeles City Council district. Through data analysis, students assessed industry composition, identified emerging trends, and pinpointed key drivers of economic growth within their district. The project emphasized industries contributing to local job creation and investment, generating evidence-based insights to inform policy discussions with elected officials and community stakeholders. They presented their extensive research and recommendations to our partner, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
Sandy Ochoa, a senior majoring in Political Science, said this about her research experience:
“My teammates and I researched the industrial landscape across Los Angeles council districts and policies intended for industrial growth. I analyzed demographics, major industries, and investments that contributed to economic differences across Los Angeles. I improved my research skills by working with difficult to find data and learned how to develop policy changes that can better address issues in a long-term, sustainable way.”
Project: Local Economies, Local Power: Business Trends in LA City Council Districts
Partner: Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
USC Students: Ivana Rauda Gaona, Alyssa Kim, Doris Li, Sandy Ochoa, and Julieta Villalpando
Research Question: What does the business landscape look like in each Los Angeles City Council district, and how can local leaders best support the industries driving growth?
Read the group’s full research presentation.
Watch the video presentation on “Local Economies, Local Power: Business Trends in LA City Council Districts.”