Business Development Plan
By Aurelio Mattucci
Having a solid business environment benefits both residents and business owners. Remember that this is the same revenue we need to fix our streets and sidewalks.
Over the past two years I have... personally visited over 3,800 businesses and about 1,500 residents. I have asked the same question over and over, “What would you like improved in the city?” Most answers started with, Oh Boy….
I am a commercial real estate broker and I specialize in business relocation and startups. As a council member, my focus will be in bringing new business to Torrance and help the existing businesses thrive and not just survive. City Hall must become a working partner in people’s lives and allow new business to flow in without any major red tape and obstacles.
The plan is to simultaneously tackle the issues from all angles.
Internally:
1. Lower the business license tax to a flat $99 a year for businesses that have less than 5 employees or annual gross revenue not exceeding $500,000.
2. Waive the business license tax for the first year on any new business.
3. Streamline the permitting process and allow applications to initiate online.
4. Lower our permit fees by 25% across the board
5. Eliminate the annual “Fire Inspection Fee” on businesses under 5 employees or under 2,000 square feet of space.
6. Allow real estate agents to install Open House signs on public property the day of the open house, limited to 6 signs per day, per agent. Signs of course may not block or partially block any public right of way. Current ordinance does not allow for any open house signs.
7. “Gratitude is the new Attitude” we must change our attitude at the counter. I have spoken to many residents and business owners and the number one complaint is the attitude. Of course this can only be fixed if we find the root of the problem, which usually points to work environment, poor management and no clear understanding of the city’s vision.
Externally:
1. Our Economic Development Department needs to reach out to business owners and not wait for them to contact them. One thing we need to keep in mind is that most self-employed have issues with time, not enough of it. When I met with Fran Fulton from this department I was happy to see that they were taking a proactive approach to contacting business owners, but had very low turnouts. I suggested a door to door campaign and workshops set up inside the business owners’ locations.
2. In addition we need to tap into the multi-million dollar resource we have just a few miles away, The Port of Los Angeles. We need to reach out to the thousands of multinational companies that utilize the Port of Los Angeles and invite them to our city. We have over 1 million square feet of available space in Torrance. Filling this space will generate the much needed revenue we’ve been waiting for. Incentives need to be put in place to induce new growth. Most business growth is in relocation and not new business. We need to remind ourselves that it’s easier to lose a business than it is to attract one. The incentives should include waiving permit fees and business licensing fees for the first year. This will stir up growth within the city and revenue will be balanced by the added jobs.
3. If we want to be a business friendly city, we need to show the public the difference between us and neighboring cities. Yes, we have over 400 world headquarters in Torrance and that is remarkable, but being number 1 takes constant efforts. Our reputation in the business environment is not as favorable as public officials try to tell us.
Let’s bring back prosperity in our city and attract shoppers from all over. Let’s make Torrance a destination and not just a drive through city.
Aurelio Mattucci
www.voteformattucci.com
By Aurelio Mattucci
Having a solid business environment benefits both residents and business owners. Remember that this is the same revenue we need to fix our streets and sidewalks.
Over the past two years I have... personally visited over 3,800 businesses and about 1,500 residents. I have asked the same question over and over, “What would you like improved in the city?” Most answers started with, Oh Boy….
I am a commercial real estate broker and I specialize in business relocation and startups. As a council member, my focus will be in bringing new business to Torrance and help the existing businesses thrive and not just survive. City Hall must become a working partner in people’s lives and allow new business to flow in without any major red tape and obstacles.
The plan is to simultaneously tackle the issues from all angles.
Internally:
1. Lower the business license tax to a flat $99 a year for businesses that have less than 5 employees or annual gross revenue not exceeding $500,000.
2. Waive the business license tax for the first year on any new business.
3. Streamline the permitting process and allow applications to initiate online.
4. Lower our permit fees by 25% across the board
5. Eliminate the annual “Fire Inspection Fee” on businesses under 5 employees or under 2,000 square feet of space.
6. Allow real estate agents to install Open House signs on public property the day of the open house, limited to 6 signs per day, per agent. Signs of course may not block or partially block any public right of way. Current ordinance does not allow for any open house signs.
7. “Gratitude is the new Attitude” we must change our attitude at the counter. I have spoken to many residents and business owners and the number one complaint is the attitude. Of course this can only be fixed if we find the root of the problem, which usually points to work environment, poor management and no clear understanding of the city’s vision.
Externally:
1. Our Economic Development Department needs to reach out to business owners and not wait for them to contact them. One thing we need to keep in mind is that most self-employed have issues with time, not enough of it. When I met with Fran Fulton from this department I was happy to see that they were taking a proactive approach to contacting business owners, but had very low turnouts. I suggested a door to door campaign and workshops set up inside the business owners’ locations.
2. In addition we need to tap into the multi-million dollar resource we have just a few miles away, The Port of Los Angeles. We need to reach out to the thousands of multinational companies that utilize the Port of Los Angeles and invite them to our city. We have over 1 million square feet of available space in Torrance. Filling this space will generate the much needed revenue we’ve been waiting for. Incentives need to be put in place to induce new growth. Most business growth is in relocation and not new business. We need to remind ourselves that it’s easier to lose a business than it is to attract one. The incentives should include waiving permit fees and business licensing fees for the first year. This will stir up growth within the city and revenue will be balanced by the added jobs.
3. If we want to be a business friendly city, we need to show the public the difference between us and neighboring cities. Yes, we have over 400 world headquarters in Torrance and that is remarkable, but being number 1 takes constant efforts. Our reputation in the business environment is not as favorable as public officials try to tell us.
Let’s bring back prosperity in our city and attract shoppers from all over. Let’s make Torrance a destination and not just a drive through city.
Aurelio Mattucci
www.voteformattucci.com
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| Aurelio Mattucci for Torrance City Council |
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| City of Torrance Business Development Plan by Aurelio Mattucci |
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