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WORLD ENERGY, a global leader in low carbon transportation fuels production, announced Oct. 23 that it would invest $350 million over the next two years to complete the conversion of its Paramount, California, facility into one of the cleanest fuel refineries in the world. The project will enable World Energy Paramount to process 306 million gallons annually. The conversion to renewable jet, diesel, gasoline and propane will reduce both refinery and fuel emissions while supporting more than 100 advanced, green-economy jobs. Gene Gebolys, Chief Executive Officer of Boston based World Energy Paramount, said: “Today, we are making significant investments in California that will allow us to create more local construction and full-time jobs. This facility is a direct and tangible result of environmental policies passed by the California State Legislature.” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, State Senator Henry Stern, California Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols, former State Senator Fran Pavley, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Paramount’s Mayor and City Council members, and the Paramount Chamber of Commerce were among the elected officials, policymakers, climate and community leaders in attendance.“The environmental state policies we have written are working and have paved the way for these significant investments in our communities,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. “World Energy is demonstrating the economic potential of renewable fuels for California.” “This project will transform the Paramount facility into California’s most important hub for the production and blending of advanced renewable fuels,” said Bryan Sherbacow, Chief Commercial Officer of World Energy. “This investment will better enable us to deliver much-needed low carbon solutions to our customers. Importantly, with 150 million gallons of annual renewable jet production capacity, World Energy will be able to help the commercial aviation industry combat its greenhouse gas emissions.” World Energy (worldenergy.net) is one of the largest and longest-serving advanced biofuel suppliers in North America. Founded in 1998, the company operates biodiesel manufacturing plants in Houston, Texas; Natchez, Miss.; Rome, Ga.; Harrisburg, Pa; and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; a renewable diesel refinery in Paramount, Calif.; and distribution hubs throughout the United States and Canada

WEBER METALS, Inc., a division of Otto Fuchs KG of Germany, unveiled a new, $180 million, 60,000-ton press, the world’s largest private investment in aerospace metal forging, at its new 2.5-acre facility here in Paramount on Oct. 23. As a result, Weber will double its local employment to 800 jobs, which is expected to have the economic impact of creating more than 2,000 jobs in the surrounding community. The state of California contributed $20 million in tax credits to the project. “This innovative technology will literally forge the future for parts made for aircraft and spacecraft,” said Dr. Hinrich Mählmann, Managing Partner of Otto Fuchs KG. “This, the world’s largest pulldown forging press, will shape some of the world’s largest monolithic parts from both aluminum and titanium. For Otto Fuchs, this is the third time we have developed the world’s largest forging press and the second time it has been on Weber’s property,” he added. Speaking for Weber Metals, Doug McIntyre, Weber Metals President and CEO, said that the new press addresses the demands and expectations from the company’s customers for larger, more sophisticated monolithic titanium and aluminum parts that reduce both weight and complexity. This helps aircraft and aerospace companies improve their environmental efforts, which is a priority for Otto Fuchs and Weber Metals. “Environmental sustainability is a priority for both companies,” said Dr. Klaus Welschof, Head of the Otto Fuchs Aerospace Division. “Green product design reflects the efforts by both of our companies to help reduce carbon footprints for commercial aircraft. It also connects with another of our commitments: improving the mobility of people everywhere through better aircraft design.” Groundbreaking for the new facility was in April 2014, and construction started in January of 2017 when the first press piece arrived on site. The machine is nearly 10 stories tall, and only one-third of it is visible the other two-thirds are below ground level. Weber Metals’ first production part will be for Boeing’s main landing gear beam on the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The new press represents the continuing success and growth of Weber Metals in Southern California, contributing to a strong local economy with engineering and manufacturing jobs. Weber Metals started in 1946 with Edmund L. Weber and a handful of employees. Otto Fuchs acquired Weber Metals in 1978 when there were 30 employees.

The Paramount Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Long Beach and the Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering a business counseling program available to all small businesses and startups in Paramount. The program is facilitated out of the Chamber office by Charles Lowe, a small business consultant with over 30 years of experience in business and international trade. Mr. Lowe has done business in over 45 countries in addition to the United States. He has The Paramount Chamber of Commerce Offers Free Business Counseling Ask The Expert spent the last 12 years working with the SBDC helping small business owners. The program offers business counseling broken up into one-hour sessions covering many common business topics including

• Business Startup
• Business Planning
• Loan Packaging
• Sales & Marketing
• Budgeting & Financial Statements
• Internet Presence
• Social Media
• Working with Government Agencies

The goal of this program is to insure small business success and contribute to economic growth in Paramount and surrounding areas. Charles Lowe works with a team of experienced consultants including; attorneys, accounting specialists, web masters, social media experts, finance experts, and business planners among others. Mr. Lowe holds counselling sessions for business owners at the Paramount Chamber office every Wednesday from 9am to 5pm. You must call to schedule an appointment. For more info call the Chamber at 562-634-3980 or stop by the office at 15357 Paramount Blvd. Paramount CA.

The Paramount Chamber of Commerce, as part of their “Chamber Cares” program, presented a check for $500 dollars to Bayfront Youth & Family Services. Chamber Board President Jon Tanklage and Chamber Executive Director Kyle Miller were on hand to deliver the check and thank the Paramount-based nonprofit organization for their service to the community. The “Chamber Cares” program sets aside a portion of proceeds from all Chamber signature events—the annual Poker Tournament in this case—and makes donations on behalf of the business community to Paramount nonprofit organizations that are helping make a difference in the City of Paramount. Bayfront Youth & Family Services (bayfrontyfs.org) is a high-quality provider of behavioral and mental health treatment services for children and adolescents and their caregivers. For more information, call Bayfront at 562-788-7252.