Hahn Urges Businesses to Keep Investing in L.A.

Seeking to reassure business leaders about the softening local economy, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn on Friday urged people to keep investing in the city and vowed that an entrepreneurial spirit will help sustain Los Angeles.

“While it certainly appears we’re facing some very, very serious economic challenges, the challenges are opportunities as well,” Hahn said in an address to several hundred people gathered at a Woodland Hills hotel for the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn.’s annual business forecast conference.

“I’m confident that we will seize the moment, take advantage of these opportunities and come out even stronger,” Hahn added.

One day after he announced a city hiring freeze, the mayor urged businesses to continue their expansion and advertising plans, and said that he is pushing local officials to expedite transportation and renovation projects to generate jobs.

“I think Los Angeles is in the position to probably weather the storm better than most places because our economy is so diversified,” Hahn said. “This town judges you on what you can do. There are no ceilings here, there are no boundaries, there are no walls. We are all about creating the entrepreneurial spirit, and we need to remember that.”

Speaking before an audience that included many who support the secession of the San Fernando Valley, the mayor reiterated his vow to fight a breakup.

“I support the right of people to chose their own destiny,” Hahn said. “[But] I disagree with the goal of breaking up the city.”

Hahn called secession “the lazy way out,” and said there was no evidence that an independent Valley city could provide better services than Los Angeles.

He promised to improve current services and make local government more responsive. “I want to show you that one whole city can get the job done,” the mayor said.

Though he received robust applause after his speech, several attendees said later that the mayor will have to do more to convince Valley residents that they will be better off staying in the city.

“There were not a lot of specifics about the Valley and how things are going to change,” said Larry Cohen, who owns a Woodland Hills marketing firm and has not yet made up his mind about secession. “I appreciate his optimism, but I think it was a very generic message. I think a lot of people here were looking for more specifics about why and how we should stay together.”

Sherman Oaks businessman Ken Gerston said the mayor needs to start demonstrating concrete differences to win over people.

“It’s the same thing he was saying during his campaign,” said Gerston, who is also undecided about secession. “Everyone is tired of all the talk. Now it’s time for action.”