LA ports comms remain active in downturn
The Port of Los Angeles is working to explain to the public and policymakers its continued activities during a downturn. An in the Los Angeles Times on December 15 took a look at the projects coming to fruition at the Port of Los Angeles and the criticisms the Port is facing because of its spending on such projects during a down economy. “The projects at both ports [Los Angeles and Long Beach] are being fought by environmentalists and neighbors concerned about premature deaths and a higher incidence of asthma,” the article said.
Arley Baker, senior director of communications and legislative affairs for the Port of Los Angeles, said the PR has focused on working with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and becoming a part of the public and political commentary about the situation. “By advancing those projects we continue to be an economic engine in this down economy,” he told PRWeek via e-mail. ”On the other hand, we are a municipal business, our revenues are down and our resources are finite.”
The Port had hired a PR firm to help with its Clean Truck Program earlier this year, but the current media relations has mostly fallen to internal staff, Baker said.
