Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama (Photo courtesy City of Cerritos social media account)
Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama highlights the city’s pro-business policies, as longtime firms expand and new food businesses open amid the revival of the Economic Development Commission.
CERRITOS, Calif. — Cerritos officials underscored their commitment to strengthening the city’s economy by reviving the Economic Development Commission and celebrating both longtime companies and new businesses investing in the community. The initiatives align with Strategic Plan Goal Four: Strengthen Economic Development, which Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama highlighted in his latest Mayor’s Report.
The five-member commission, formally reestablished by ordinance in June and reconvened earlier this month, serves as an advisory body to the City Council on the needs of existing businesses and the pursuit of new opportunities. Mayor Yokoyama said its revival ensures that Cerritos continues to provide an environment where established enterprises can thrive while new ventures are encouraged.
In recent weeks, Cerritos has celebrated milestones with two institutions that have long been part of the city’s economic fabric. On Aug. 27, Golden Star Technology, Inc. (GST) marked its 40th anniversary with a grand re-opening at its Cerritos headquarters. Founded in 1985 and based in the city since 1992, GST showcased new warehouse space and improved employee amenities, a clear sign of its continuing investment in the community.
The following day, on Aug. 28, city officials gathered for a ribbon cutting at the new headquarters of the Alliance of Schools for Cooperative Insurance Programs (ASCIP) on Park Plaza Drive. Established in 1980 and operating as a risk-sharing pool since 1985, ASCIP has grown into a nonprofit joint powers authority that provides insurance and risk management services to schools and educational agencies throughout California. The move to Cerritos strengthens its capacity to serve its statewide membership while reinforcing its presence in the city.
Cerritos’ dining and retail scene is also expanding. Chubby Cattle, a Wagyu barbecue restaurant, recently opened at 11203 183rd St. in Plaza 183. Looking ahead, Tokyo Central/Marukai is planned for the former Pacific Sales site in the Cerritos Towne Center, a project previewed during the mayor’s State of the City address in June. Both ventures add to the city’s roster of international markets and dining destinations.
About Cerritos
The City of Cerritos, located in southeastern Los Angeles County, is a master-planned community of roughly 50,000 residents. Incorporated in 1956 as Dairy Valley, the city transitioned from agricultural land to a hub of suburban growth and was renamed Cerritos in 1967.
Today, Cerritos is recognized for its strong business climate, award-winning schools, cultural institutions, and extensive park system. Anchored by the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and the Cerritos Towne Center, the city has become both a residential community and a regional commercial destination.
Cerritos is also notable for its all-Asian American City Council, reflecting the city’s demographic profile, where Asian Americans make up a majority of the population. This leadership has become a source of local pride and is seen as a milestone in the broader story of Asian American civic participation in Southern California.
