People who lost their homes in the Eaton and Palisades fires have been going online to find a house or apartment to rent or maybe a short-term rental from Airbnb.
But what about those men and women whose businesses were destroyed and who can no longer make a living?
Los Angeles County launched a business-to-business space-share site on Friday, Jan. 24 that officials say can match those small businesses needing a workspace with an existing business with some extra office space to share.
Businesses with space to share can post listings and provide the location, the dates and times of availability and capacity. Displaced businesses can browse through the listings online to find a space that meets their needs.
Los Angeles County officials said they’ve heard from business people whose dental office or hair salon, for example, burned in the fires and need a space to continue operating, at least temporarily. The Palisades fire destroyed the area’s beloved downtown business district.
“Together we are fostering a more resilient and adaptable economic ecosystem where businesses can open their doors to other businesses as we recover together,” said Kelly LoBianco, director of the county’s Department of Economic Opportunity in a prepared statement.
The idea came from Whittier City Councilmember Cathy Warner who has a periodontal practice in East Whittier with her husband. Because they only practice and see patients three days a week, the dental office is available the other four days to other periodontists who were displaced by the wildfires.
“This new website is inspired by the generosity of small business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals across the county who are looking for ways to step up and help,” said Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn, who helped start the new site.
“If you have space, this is how you can help,” said Hahn. “Whether you can offer a space where a dentist can treat their patients, a hair stylist can keep their appointments, a lawyer can see their clients, or any other space, you will be helping someone in need maintain their livelihood and helping our economy through this crisis.”
To access the Business-to-Business Space Share site, go to: https://sharespace.lacounty.gov/. For an explanation, click on “How it works.” Both businesses and individuals who are offering space, and those displaced businesses in need of workspace, must click on the “Register” bar to get started.
Also, the county has set up a relief fund for small businesses and the workers in those businesses. For information about the L.A. Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds, visit: http://lacounty.gov/relief.