Central Los Angeles : WATTS GETS THE BUSINESS
Communities within Los Angeles City Councilman Rudy Svorinich’s district, which includes Watts, will soon be host to an economic development corporation designed to attract new businesses--from small mom-and-pop stores to major corporations.
The Los Angeles Harbor-Watts Economic Development Corp. is a public- and private-sector partnership established by Svorinich’s office. City officials have spent the last year researching the corporation and have 60 business projects lined up for assistance.
Domenic Pilato, Svorinich’s strategic planning and economic development deputy, said the goal of the corporation is to make it simple for businesses to come to Svorinich’s district and create jobs for residents.
The corporation will provide case management for each business, including help on financing, marketing and land use, Pilato said.
“Watts is a main target,” Pilato said, because of the neighborhood’s “perception problem” since the 1965 riots. Among the community figures he has met with, Pilato said, are leaders of the 1992 Watts gang truce, who have been active in demanding economic growth in Watts.
Officials said the development corporation has established a board of directors and should be operating by spring.
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