Mr. Taylor provided us with a release (full text below) that indicates it's Congressionally appropriated federal taxpayer money [apparently still flowing during a time of "sequestering"] handed to an LBCC-run international trade office.

Mr. Taylor notes that the sums proposed for Trustees' voted approval aren't general fund monies but are restricted funds and the two trade missions are funded by grants. He notes that one of LBCC's primary missions, along with transfer education and technical education, is to promote economic and workforce development...and says part of the way LBCC supports that role is through economic development services delivered directly to small businesses. He says LBCC has several programs through the Small Business Development Center Network. (In addition, LBCC also participates in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative, a training program for samll business owners).

LBCC has a Center for International Trade Development (http://www.lbcc.edu/CAED/citd.cfm) which (website text) "provides a comprehensive portfolio of import and export services to Southern California businesses. Among our affordable programs and services are trade leads, trade missions and trade show assistance. We serve established businesses as well as those new to international trade. The Center for International Trade Development (CITD) was developed and is managed through a partnership between the Long Beach Community College District and the California Community College Chancellors Office (CCCO)." Mr. Taylor says the Center for Int'l Trade Development received a grant to do export missions and its focus is to assist local cosmetics manufacturers who want to do develop export to new markets. The target markets for these cosmetics manufacturers include Europe (thus the Bologna, Italy event) and the Middle East (thus the Dubai event).

FURTHER UPDATE: Mr. Taylor provided us with this release, dated January 23, 2013:

[Release text] 28 Beauty Brands Selected for Special California Export Initiative

Exclusive California: A State of Beauty Pavilion at Cosmoprof Bologna & Beauty World Dubai Look to Take Brands Global

Long Beach, CA (January 23, 2013) -- Building upon the initial success of its launch at Cosmoprof Bologna in March 2012, the 11 participants of the California: A State of Beauty Pavilion have since generated more than $13 million in export sales, entered 27 distinct markets and created 54 jobs in just nine short months. Organized by the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) in Long Beach, this export initiative has selected 23 companies representing 28 brands to be part of their exclusive 2013 California: A State of Beauty Pavilions at both Cosmoprof Bologna and newly added Beauty World Middle East in Dubai. During the application process, CITD looked for California-based beauty brands that wanted to attend these events at a highly offset rate and grow their businesses globally and were capable of going global.

"Working with CITD Long Beach in 2012 was the right decision for our company, and we are excited to partner with them again for the new trade missions in 2013. Their services gave us and other small businesses an opportunity to collectively present and showcase our products internationally. Furthermore, CITD Long Beach’s resources helped to save on the cost of attending an international trade event, as well as allowing us to focus wholly on conducting business while at the show," Eve Yen, Owner and President, Diamond Wipes.

The Benefit of Participating in the California: A State of Beauty Pavilion

Small and medium sized businesses would typically not be able to attend a major foreign trade event due to the costs associated with entry, creation of a booth designed to draw attention, travel and logistical support. By creating the "California: A State of Beauty Pavilion," CITD -- Long Beach selects companies that have the ability to succeed overseas and assists them with the costs of exhibition at the shows. The Pavilion concept is centered on the California lifestyle, but also provides dedicated and customized booth space designed to attract retailers and distributors. Furthermore, CITD -- Long Beach has also partnered with other organizations to provide support with export compliance and buyer matchmaking, so that participants can increase their international sales.

Funding for the trade missions is made possible by the State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of President Obama's National Export Initiative (NEI).

The Opportunity

There is a tremendous desire internationally for U.S. made products especially cosmetic products from California, as it is looked upon as a premier region synonymous with high quality and effective skin care products. Extensive opportunities exist both in the Middle Eastern and European markets. In fact, Euromonitor’s research shows that the European share for the Cosmetic and Toiletries (C & T) Industry accounts for nearly half of the market when comparing the world’s top economies -- more than the U.S. and Japan combined.

In addition to the European market, the CITD Long Beach believes significant growth opportunities exist in the Middle East, so much so, that from the 27 distinct countries entered by the 11 participants from 2012, the majority were Middle Eastern markets, which led to Beauty World Dubai as a natural choice for a second CITD trade mission.

Participating Brands

The California: A State of Beauty Pavilion seeks to curate a selection of cutting-edge, innovative products in hair, nails, skin care, cosmetics, spa products and fragrances.

PERFUMERY & COSMESTICS
Chrislie Formulations (Lashem & Nailuv) www.chrislieformulations.com | Diamond Wipes (La Fresh®) www.lafreshgroup / www.diamondwipes.com | EnvyDerm Cosmetics www.envyderm.com | Fresh N’ Fruity | INEKE www.ineke.com | Jon Davler (Ioni Cosmetics & LASplash) ionicosmetics.com / wwwlasplashcosmetics.com | Millionaire | Mirabella® www.mirabellabeauty.com | NYX www.nyxcosmetics.com | Profusion Cosmetics www.profusionconsmetics.com | YOSH www.eaudeyosh.com

HAIR
Cabella www.cabellahair.com | It Factor www.itfactorbeauty.com| Johnny B. Haircare www.johnnybhaircare.com | Zerran Hair Care www.zerran.com

NAILNubar www.bynubar.com

SKIN CARE
Lunagenics www.dermaestheticsusa.com | Kimberly Parry Organics www.kimberlyparry.com | Roots Organics: www.roostsla.com

SPA PRODUCTS
Biotone www.biotone.com | Daily Concepts® www.dailyconcepts.com | Laguna Candles www.lagunacandles.com www.californiastateofbeauty.com.

About the CITD: The Center for International Trade Development (CITD) hosted by Long Beach City College helps companies enter new markets, grow and enhance their international sales through specialized consulting in international trade. The CITD offers seminars designed to give small business owners the tools to take their firms global; consulting services with legal, distribution, logistics and customs experts; market research; and trade missions. Services are offered in conjunction with the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network and the Long Beach International Trade Office, which together provide a comprehensive portfolio of import and export services to Southern California's small businesses, at no cost.

No federal grant funds are being used for any entertainment costs associated with this trade promotion or export marketing activity.

The organizational structure for this is visible on its own website: www.californiastateofbeauty.com.

So...what does LBCC get out of this? Mr. Taylor says that in addition to fulfilling one of LBCC's principle missions, it hopefully helps provide a strong local tax base with more healthy businesses and jobs for area residents. Mr. Taylor said he believes this item is SBA (federally funded) and a special grant enables this program to do this particular trade mission, meaning it's partially grant funded and partially funded by participants, but no LBCC general fund money is going into this.

[LBREPORT.com comment/perspective: We're interested in knowing if you believe this is what a community college should be doing. (Perhaps a Chamber of Commerce, or a business association or private foundation perhaps, but a community college?) In our opinion, this is simply corporate welfare dispensed through governmental and educational officialdom. We wonder if Congress will still be handing out tax dollars for private-benefit trade missions to places like Dubai and Italy...while federal dollars are being sequestered for what the public is told are significant items. We welcome your comments via Facebook or our Disqus comment system below.]

Exactly what's taking place at an "International Convention & Exhibit" in Dubai and the "Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna Event" that entails spending roughly $138,000? Is/are some person(s) from LBCC traveling to Dubai and Bologna, Italy for these events, and if so, who?

We're interested in this story, and we'll report it...on LBREPORT.com.