06 October 2011

Making It Easier to Keep Businesses in Los Angeles

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he believes Los Angeles could do a better job in attracting new companies and keeping existing businesses from leaving the city.

Thursday morning he visited a pharmaceutical laboratory where he announced a new website specifically designed to help business owners learn the best place for them to do business in Los Angeles, and how the city can help eliminate red tape.

Villaraigosa also emphasized an active plan that has combined the various departments where permits are obtained for different types of businesses.

"We've expedited about 600 permits for businesses," said Villaraigosa.

Andy Hasroun is president of the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce, and a he's in the process of opening a new restaurant next to his existing wine-tasting business.

"It's taking about five months," said Hasroun when asked how long he's been navigating city hall.

He agreed the process is faster, but still not perfect. Hasroun expects to hire as many as 30 employees.

The expedited permits kept Grifols Biologicals, Inc. in California.

"If we didn't expedite the permitting process we would not have been here. There are a lot of places in the country where they are expedited," said company president David Bell. 

Grifols ultimately decided to remain in Los Angeles; launching a $150-million expansion and creating 300 new jobs.

Mayor Villaraigosa told NBC4 News "we're elected to fix things that are broken and this city hasn't been business friendly enough." 

The new website for businesses looking to relocate to Los Angeles is >.

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