LA Convention Center Expansion One Year In: Nearly $10M in Wages, 1,700+ Union Jobs Created

Full report

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the expansion and modernization of the LA Convention Center is on-time and on-budget one year into construction, putting thousands of Angelenos to work in good-paying, union jobs with nearly $10 million delivered in workers' wages so far. Bass was joined by City Councilmembers, labor leaders, local business owners and union construction workers for the announcement. Since the start of construction in October 2025, the project has delivered for Angelenos: $500 million in contracts for small and minority-owned businesses; nearly $10 million in wages paid to Angelenos; 1,700+ new jobs created; and 18 new conventions booked for after project completion, estimated to bring 186,000 visitors Downtown and deliver more than $400 million in economic impact. "With thousands of new union jobs created and almost $10 million in wages paid, this project is putting paychecks in Angelenos' pockets and already delivering an economic boost for Los Angeles," Bass said. Hundreds of apprentices are building first-time careers in the trades through the project, including transitional workers, veterans, those with involvement in the criminal justice system, and foster care alumni. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said that one year in, the expansion "isn't just transforming Downtown LA — it's creating a material difference for Angelenos by delivering quality jobs directly to our neighbors and uplifting our entire city economically." Once completed, the Convention Center is expected to deliver: 15,000+ jobs; 500,000+ new visitors to Los Angeles every year; $150 million in new visitor spending every year; and $652 million in new general fund revenues over 30 years. The City will host two job fairs: a Prime Contractor Matchmaking Event on Thursday, October 22, and a Project Hiring Fair on Tuesday, October 27. Details at LAConventionCenter.com/Expansion.