HAHN REACHES OUT TO BUSINESS MAYOR ENCOURAGES NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Los Angeles needs to send a message to business that it is willing to help overcome regulations and red tape while targeting new industries if it is to continue its success, Mayor James Hahn told business leaders Thursday.

``We want Los Angeles to be the city where anyone who has a dream can see it realized,'' Hahn told 500 members of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce meeting at City Hall in its fourth annual legislative day.

``We need to reach out and make City Hall a business development center. We have to help businesses get over regulatory hurdles, not only within city government, but all different levels of government.''

For Hahn, it was the second opportunity in as many weeks to deliver a pro-business speech. Last week in the San Fernando Valley, he signed into law several new measures to help streamline the city's business tax system, including authorizing a tax amnesty period.

``We want people to know that Los Angeles is open for business,'' Hahn said, adding he has begun working to target certain industries, such as the biomedical field, with potential for growth.

As part of that, Hahn said the city also could help attract businesses through low-interest loans, tax credits and grants that are available for firms that hire locally.

The mayor also wants to push forward a program to exempt new businesses from city taxes for two years to allow them to become established.

Hahn's overtures look promising to the business community, said George Kieffer, an attorney and a director of the Chamber of Commerce.

``He's talking about changes the business community has sought for years,'' Kieffer said. ``We think it's an exciting time for business and the city.''

For many of the business leaders, the meeting was also their first chance to hear Hahn discuss matters of concern to them, including eduction and transportation issues.

``We will be looking to you to help us,'' Hahn said. ``I am prepared to use general fund money for after-school programs - I'm a big believer in them - but you also have to help us get young people interested early in careers and begin working toward them.''

On transportation, Hahn said the city needs to make better use of what it has by improving the bus system to include busways and high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

The business leaders also had an opportunity to hear from the newly elected City Council members, who offered their own assurances.

``We are here to be collaborative,'' Councilman Jack Weiss said. ``We don't have preconceived notions and we don't know the unwritten rules of City Hall. We were elected to work with all of the city.''

Councilwoman Janice Hahn pointed to the challenges facing the city - particularly with secession drives in the San Fernando Valley and her own district in San Pedro.