The Business Walk program in Lakeport is designed to familiarize the business community with city and other resources available to them. City staff and members of the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee (LEDAC) contact local owners and managers, providing them with the opportunity to speak with representatives about issues of concern. The goal is to help local businesses thrive and grow.
Sixteen teams of staff and volunteers, totaling 29 individuals, will cover the city and begin conducting their visits in early October, with completion anticipated by late in the month. Findings from the visit will be compiled by LEDAC and presented to the City Council in December.
The City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan identified annual in-person visits as an important element in the support and retention of existing local businesses. The walks were put on hold during the Covid pandemic and are being resumed now to engage with and hear from the business community.
The Guide to Doing Business in Lakeport has been updated and will be made available during the visits. The publication includes information and contacts for services aimed at assisting new businesses, along with business loan programs offered by the City of Lakeport and other agencies. The guide will be available on the City’s website, www.cityoflakeport.com, at City Hall, and through the Lakeport Main Street Association and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
LEDAC is an advocate for a strong and positive Lakeport business community, and serves as a conduit between the City and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs. The Committee meets bi-monthly on the second Wednesday, 7:30-9:00 a.m. The next meeting is on November 9; all meetings are open to the public.