Newly redesigned site makes it easier for small business owners to access business opportunities within the City of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 8, 2016)— The Board of Public Works formally announced the launch of the redesigned Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (LABAVN) at a Small Business Forum Thursday, April 8 at the Board of Public Works office in City Hall. A more user friendly look for the LABAVN soft debuted April 5th, 2016.
"Small businesses are the beating heart of our economy, and they deserve their fair share of the billions of dollars we're investing in our City," said Mayor Garcetti. "This overhaul of our Business Assistance Virtual Network will level the playing field — giving small businesses a better shot at winning contracts that will help them grow and create more middle-class jobs for Angelenos."
The new LABAVN provides a better and more intuitive experience for small business owners, with an easier and faster enrollment process. One of the other benefits includes a reduction in enrollment time down to an average of five to 15 minutes for each user. For businesses that have previously registered with the LABAVN, accounts will transfer over.
“The new LA BAVN user experience is a reflection of the efforts we've undertaken in public works to make our city accessible to small businesses and more business friendly," said Board of Public Works Commissioner Monica Rodriguez. "It is a vital first step towards making the process of working with the City more streamlined and efficient.”
The Honorable Ron Galperin, City Controller, also attended the forum and addressed participants from the City of Los Angeles small business community on how the new LABAVN improves transparency for local businesses and residents, increases simplicity of use, as well as helps to increase diversity among the small businesses that work with the City of Los Angeles.
“This change in the system will help small business owners like myself to navigate the City process and connect with opportunities,” said Fabiola Jaque, Small Business Academy graduate, and owner of California Testing & Inspections, Inc.
Future plans for the LABAVN include consolidating some of the required forms as well as offering e-signatures.