Commerce Ca Finances

The city has raised annual business license fees for the first time, a move that some economic leaders fear will force small companies to close or move. The fees, which had been a flat $10 since the city incorporated in 1960, will rise to between $50 and $3,000, depending on a business' square footage and number of employees. The increases could be a hardship as the recession lingers, said Jeff Casey, executive director of the Industrial Council, a Commerce business organization.

The city has raised annual business license fees for the first time, a move that some economic leaders fear will force small companies to close or move. The fees, which had been a flat $10 since the city incorporated in 1960, will rise to between $50 and $3,000, depending on a business' square footage and number of employees. The increases could be a hardship as the recession lingers, said Jeff Casey, executive director of the Industrial Council, a Commerce business organization.