On Monday, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce (SCV Chamber) announced the launch of its new API (Asian/Pacific Islander) Business Council. 

The mission of the business council is to grow and strengthen API-owned businesses through leadership, training and advocacy, according to SCV Chamber officials. 

The council is set to work to identify and address the pressing challenges faced by API-owned businesses throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. 

“The primary focus for the API Council is on business education and training, research, advocacy, and economic development for the API business community,” said Jennifer Avancena, owner of Calajo Catering and the Founding Chair of the API Council. “Our goal is for businesses to develop and grow, and to foster the exchange of business ideas, best practices, and opportunities to help fellow businesses achieve their goals.”

The API Council is set to provide programs and workshops to open inclusive new pathways for API businesses to reach new markets and expand operations. 

Members of the council are set to work to create business opportunities 

The API Council is scheduled to be leading a resource where API businesses can go to grow, learn and thrive.

The council’s vision is to have an environment where API businesses are thriving in the SCV economy and contributing to communities according to SCV Chamber officials. 

“The API population continues to expand its economic and political influence throughout the

Santa Clarita Valley,” said Ivan Volschenk, president/CEO of the SCV Chamber. “As one of the fastest growing minority groups within the U.S., and California having the largest community, the SCV Chamber will provide a platform where diverse API business owners can influence civic, social and economic policies.”

The goals and objectives of the Council are as follows: 

• To represent the views of Asian American business owners to local, state, and federal government officials in order to promote and improve the climate for small businesses.
• To provide training and education that improves each member’s business success.
• To provide a receptive atmosphere of encouragement for members to do business with other Chamber members and to exchange information affecting Council members and their businesses.
• To educate our members about the effect of proposed and existing government policy on small businesses and alert them to programs that assist small business owners.
• To bring divergent groups of Asian Americans together on issues affecting small businesses.

“The mission of the API Council is to be a strong voice in effecting positive change in the areas of economic development, public contracting and private procurement, and public and fiscal policies that impact Asian/Pacific Islander businesses and communities at large,” said Becki Robb, 2023 SCV Chamber Board Chair. “Our Council will voice to create opportunities in the social and economic sectors for the Asian/Pacific Islander business community.”

The first API Council event is scheduled to be on March 23rd, details and registration can be found on the SCV Chambers website. For more information on the API Council, or to get involved, please email hello@scvchamber.com.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.