Helping Create a More Inclusive Economy
Embracing a broader vision of economic development to drive progress and maintain L.A.’s competitive edge.
In Los Angeles…
L.A.’s thriving economy is one of the strongest in the world
Nearly all companies in L.A. County are small businesses with fewer than 50 employees
More than half of all firms in L.A. County are minority-owned businesses
Los Angeles is a dynamic hub of international trade and innovation, with a booming economy to show for it.
Our city is known as the creative capital of the world, with trailblazing companies and a deep talent pool in entertainment, music, fashion, gaming, advertising and beyond. We also have more people employed in high-tech jobs, including aerospace, than any other metro region in the U.S. L.A. is also the largest major manufacturing center in the U.S., home to the world’s busiest port and airport, a major financial and banking center, and a top global tourist destination.
The LABC has a proven track record of advancing bold economic policy that leads to more jobs, higher incomes, broadly-shared prosperity, and better quality of life for all. We are focused on public policies that cut red tape to more quickly build the housing and modern transportation system that we need to continue attracting top-tier businesses and investment in our city. And we remain committed to promoting programs and policies to support a vibrant, equitable and sustainable economy.
Our Achievements
June 2022
LABC and USC officially launch Compete4LA, a small business database that works in tandem with RAMP
Watch the event
Mayor Garcetti and LABC launch RAMP, the city’s new procurement platform which addresses procurement reform and equitable access to contracting opportunities
Watch the event
March 2022
June 2020
Citing a landmark study conducted by the LABCi and USC, the LA City Council votes to fund a new procurement platform, focused on increasing opportunities for small, diverse, and disadvantaged businesses
Read the Report
The City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Job Creation approves LABC’s request to send the “Compete4LA” final report to the Chief Legislative Analyst’s office for study of its findings
January 2019
August 2018
LABCi releases “Compete4LA” outlining procurement challenges faced by small businesses
Read the Report
LABC releases “Utility Sector Workforce Development in the Los Angeles Region”
Read the Report
January 2017
June 2015
California minimum wage increases to $15/hr by 2020 with LABC’s active support
The California Pension Reform Bill is signed into law after years of advocacy by LABC
September 2012
Compete4LA, LA County’s Largest
Small Business Database
Compete4LA is a first-of-its-kind online database of up to 31,000 publicly accessible small business profiles across L.A. County, providing a verified, searchable, and mappable directory of local small businesses with under $1 million in annual sales and fewer than 20 employees, among other refining criteria. Developed in collaboration with the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy’s Center for Economic Development, Compete4LA aims to help level the playing field for local businesses seeking to support the region’s major sports, entertainment, and cultural events, as well as major public infrastructure projects.
Compete4LA supports the City of LA’s new procurement platform—the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement (RAMP)—by providing a roadmap for intermediaries to identify the resources needed for small businesses to start utilizing and bidding on contracts listed on RAMP.
Compete4la initiative achievements
June 2022
LABC and USC officially launch Compete4LA, a small business database that works in tandem with RAMP
Watch the event
Watch the event
March 2022
June 2020
Citing a landmark study conducted by the LABCi and USC, the LA City Council votes to fund a new procurement platform focused on increasing opportunities for small, diverse, and disadvantaged businesses
Read the Report
LABC organizes support for small business initiative from leading community and civic groups
Read the Letter of Support
July 2019
February 2019
Engaged USC to conduct an in-depth sector analysis to identify underserved businesses that stand to benefit most from our small business program
City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Job Creation unanimously approves LABC’s request to study implementing an online procurement platform
February 2019
August 2018
Published our feasibility study on the demand for an online procurement platform in Los Angeles
Read our feasibility study
Conducted over 40 stakeholder meetings with members of the business community to better understand the problem, assess the need, and develop our research questions
December 2017-
August 2018
December 2017
LABC forms partnership with the creators of the small business platform used in the 2012 Olympic Games
Compete4la initiative HISTORY
News from the labc
MAYOR GARCETTI AND LABC LAUNCH RAMP, AN INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Repost of Press Release from LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
NBC4’s Lolita Lopez Moderated All-Women Panel on Resources to Support Small Businesses in the Community
Lolita Lopez moderated an all-women panel at The Row in Downtown Los Angeles called “Road to Recovery: What’s in Store for Holiday Spending?”
The Los Angeles Business Council’s 51st Architectural Awards highlights noteworthy LA projects and Frank Gehry as the inaugural LA Community Legacy Award recipient
On October 26, the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) announced the winning projects for the 51st Architectural Awards.