Business to offer temporary space to businessmen displaced by fires urgently

The Los Angeles County Supervisor, Janice Hahn urged businesses that have extra space to share their facilities with businessmen displaced by fires.

To connect entrepreneurs who can offer temporary space and small displaced businesses, the website was created this week Business-to-Business Space Share released by Los Angeles County Department of Economics Opportunity (DEO).

It is a free platform that connects displaced businesses, including non -profit organizations, with temporary spaces of companies along the county.

“This new website is inspired by the generosity of the owners of small businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals along the county who are looking for ways to help,” said Hahn supervisor.

“If you have a space, that’s how you can help. If you can offer a space where a dentist attends to his patients; or in which a stylist can fulfill his appointments; A lawyer can see his clients; Or any space, you will be helping someone who needs to maintain their way of life and help our economy in the midst of this crisis, ”he added.

The idea of ​​creating this website to share business spaces from the Hahn supervisor after talking to Whittier councilor, Cathy Warner.

Warner has a periodontal practice with her husband in East Whittier and attends patients in her office three times a week. She told the Hahn supervisor that she wanted to offer the space for four days a week to the periodoncistas displaced by the fires.

This gave the supervisor the idea of ​​having a website of the Los Angeles County that facilitates connecting business, taking advantage of generosity.

“The exchange of spaces between companies is the direct result that our county government listened to the concerns of local businesses and by showing our own entrepreneurial spirit with solutions, we rebuild for tomorrow,” said Kelly Lobianco, director of the DEO.

“Together we are promoting a more resistant and adaptable economic ecosystem in which businesses can open their doors to others while we recover together.”

According to the Hahn Supervisor office, the new platform is a critical resource to help displaced businesses to maintain their operations, safeguard their modus vivendi and boost economic strength.

Created by the Department of Internal Services (ISD), the platform will be available for a limited time, as part of a coordinated effort of the county to support the economic ecosystem affected by disasters.

Through the Space Share portal that works in a friendly way, companies with available space can publish advertisements, providing details such as location, capacity and availability.

Angela Herrera, spokeswoman of Deo, revealed that the site will also be ready in Spanish, most likely this weekend.

The businesses that were left without their workplace due to the fires can explore the website to find the spaces that best adapt to their needs.

Although the platform facilitates the connections, the County clarifies that it does not participate or supervises the terms of the agreements made, since it seeks that companies retain full autonomy in the negotiations.

“The Internal Services Department (ISD) recognizes the devastating impact that recent forest fires have had in many local companies, which has caused significant displacements and losses,” said Michael Owh, director of the ISD.

“We hope this tool helps companies help each other and provide support in this moment of need.”

Business interested in donating spaces or who are looking for a place to work can visit the Business to Business Space Share portal in: https://sharhespace.lacounty.gov/

There is no exact figure of how many businesses were devastated by fires, but it is presumed that thousands are.

How it works

Businesses or people who offer space can create ads with relevant information, such as size, amenities it offers and availability dates. Several ads are allowed, provided that the spaces are available at least one day.

While displaced businesses in search of a workplace can search for appropriate options and connect directly to the commercial space donor.

In good faith but complicated

Although Mario Cárdenas, business advisor at Lynwood, had not heard of the initiative, considered that it was made with good faith by the Hahhn supervisor.

However, he anticipated that his involvement can be difficult and complicated.

“It’s not that you don’t want to help, but it represents many risks because you never know how the other person you are going to facilitate a space within your business.”

Despite the challenges, Cárdenas kept the hope that the generosity of entrepreneurs will be imposed, and share their spaces with those affected.