LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced more resources to support small businesses as part of her work to continue opening Los Angeles for business. Under the Mayor’s leadership, the City will launch two programs: LA Optimized 2.0, a program to help small businesses build and strengthen their digital presence and LApreneur, a new online learning platform created to equip entrepreneurs with key skills and information to succeed.
“We are continuing to open Los Angeles for business by offering more and new resources to help Angelenos be competitive online and new learning opportunities to help Angelenos deepen their knowledge and hone their business skills,” said Mayor Bass. “These resources are part of our ongoing work to make sure small businesses can start, grow and thrive in the city and our recommendations are directly informed by what the business community tells us is needed.”
Mayor Bass announced more resources for small businesses today:
LA Optimized 2.0 is the second iteration of a program by the Economic and Workforce Development Department that seeks to bridge the digital divide and help small businesses access the assistance they need to adapt and compete in the digital marketplace by helping businesses improve or create websites and social media channels and provide branding support. Up to 500 businesses will receive assistance with website and social media creation and up to 1,000 will be eligible to receive digital evaluation and recommendations to optimize their digital presence. This program is made possible through American Rescue Plan Act funds and an earmark appropriation made by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla.
LApreneur is a comprehensive, collaborative partnership established by the Mayor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the City’s BusinessSource Centers, Loyola Marymount University and other partners to streamline entrepreneurship education and resources for aspiring and existing business owners. The program was developed based on recommendations provided by the Mayor’s Small Business Cabinet where members shared concerns over gaps in entrepreneurship knowledge communities of color face and the need for the City to connect microbusinesses to existing resources.
The release of new resources follows the fourth installment of the Los Angeles Region Small Business Summit, an ongoing partnership between the City and County of Los Angeles that drew more than 500 small business owners and entrepreneurs. The Summit featured panel discussions focused on opportunities and timely resources for businesses, a resource expo that convened all major public and private providers of free business support and on-site free services - including business assessment, legal aid, certification and procurement clinics, credit counseling, compliance support and permitting assistance. Previous Summits this year drew nearly 1,000 people to the events.
The Mayor continues to make progress opening Los Angeles for business by expanding City departments’ services for small businesses and improving the experience of doing business with the City. Last year, Mayor Bass issued Executive Directive 4 which directed comprehensive action at City Hall to support the creation, development and growth of small businesses through convenings like this Summit and improving the way City departments engage with small businesses. In Mayor Bass’ State of the City address, she highlighted work to bring business back to Los Angeles, including the Banc of California relocating to L.A, and her support to boost Downtown and our economy citywide by exploring the modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center.