Compton Unified became Everytable’s first traditional public K–12 district partner, helping the company test a school-meal model that has since expanded across California. Beyond student nutrition, Compton should measure contract performance, costs, food waste, jobs, and supplier participation—and pursue production, distribution, training, and procurement opportunities so the city shares in the long-term economic value of the business model it helped launch.

Ribbon cuttings celebrate new businesses, but Compton must also track what happens afterward. The City and Chamber should measure one-, three-, and five-year survival, employment, expansion, closures, local purchasing, and obstacles businesses face. A Business Vitality Dashboard, regular follow-ups, employer visits, and continued technical assistance would help Compton retain companies and measure economic success by lasting growth—not opening-day photographs.