New Statewide Nonprofit Launches To Protect Local Jobs and the Economy

Willie L. Brown, Jr. Keynotes Communities for California Cardrooms Launch Event

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Communities for California Cardrooms (CCC), a nonprofit organization created to provide a united voice for small businesses and advance and protect local jobs and the economy, today officially launched their statewide group at an event with keynote speaker the Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. 

With more than thirty businesses, cardrooms and business associations throughout California already listed as supporters of CCC, the organization looks to grow quickly and become an impactful and influential organization. 

"With cardrooms contributing millions of dollars annually at both the state and local levels, we need to work to continue building a strong local economy that keeps small businesses thriving in our communities," said Jarhett Blonien, CCC Executive Director. "We need to create a business climate that fosters job creation, maintains current jobs, and keeps jobs in the cities in which we do business."

A recent economic study by Beacon Economics LLC, a leading independent economic research firm, found that many California card clubs generate over one-fourth of the total tax revenue for the municipal general funds in their home cities. In some cases, card clubs have generated over 80 percent of the tax revenue for the local city's general budget. In 2011, the state's cardrooms generated over $1.8 billion in economic output, supported over 22,700 jobs, and produced over $270 million in tax revenues for federal, state and local governments. 

"The Communities for California Cardrooms and its members will redefine and reshape the industry," said Darius Anderson, CCC's lobbyist. "With some of the state's top consultants already on CCC's team, including Willie L. Brown, Jr., we will together advance the significant benefits cardrooms and small businesses bring to the economic table for this state."    

"I am very pleased to be a part of an organization that fights to protect and advance the interests of small businesses like California's cardrooms that support local jobs and the economy," said Willie L. Brown, Jr. That is why I am here today to support the Communities for California Cardooms with their statewide launch event." 

Willie L. Brown, Jr. was a member of the state Legislature for 30 years, of which he served 15 years as California's longest tenured Speaker of the Assembly. Following Willie L. Brown, Jr. service in the Legislature, he was elected the 41^st Mayor of the City of San Francisco where he served for 8 years. 

The Communities for California Cardrooms (CCC) coalition is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization that provides a united voice for small businesses; advances and protects local jobs and the economy that is provided by card rooms; educates and highlights the public on the benefits and history of card rooms in their communities; and encourages inclusiveness with businesses small and large that share in protecting and growing jobs in California communities. 

For more information on CCC, visit www.calcardrooms.org. 

SOURCE Communities for California Cardrooms