RBAN - Regional Business Assistance Network

Funding for the Regional Business Resource Guide - online version was partially provided by the US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration: WIRED Initiative.

What is RBAN?

Contact RBAN: (888) 452-3321 or email bap@laedc.org

The Regional Business Assistance Network (RBAN) is an unprecedented cooperative effort designed to make it easier for companies to do business in Los Angeles County.  RBAN is committed to forging collaborative efforts with all FREE and LOW-COST business assistance providers located throughout the County.  This includes cities, chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, workforce training providers and specialized business assistance organizations. 

RBAN is a program of the LAEDC.  There is no fee for membership and all government or non-profit business assistance providers are considered part of the Network.  This collaboration allows us to maximize our resources to help businesses prosper and strengthen the regional economy.  We accomplish this in a number of ways: 

The foremost is via a referral system through which every customer is assisted and guided to all applicable business resources throughout the County.  In essence, an organization whose office is not equipped to handle a client’s request will refer the client to a local agency that can meet their needs.  Referral agencies can be located quickly by using the Regional Business Resource Guide. 

RBAN also holds quarterly meetings at different locations throughout the County.  This allows us to meet our peers and colleagues throughout the region, dialogue on ways to work together and learn of new trends within our field.  Additional RBAN products are educational seminars, an e-mail system and an upcoming newsletter. 

What type of assistance do RBAN member organizations offer to businesses in need of help?

RBAN organizations consist of SIX TYPES of business assistance service providers:

• Advocacy, i.e.: Chambers of Commerce and Ethnic Business Associations.
• Workforce Preparation, i.e.:  Private Industry Council, Colleges/Universities, Private Training Groups.
• Small Business Assistance, i.e.:  SBDC’s, Community Based EDC’s.
• General Business Assistance, i.e.:  Cities, Regional EDCs.
• Financing, i.e.:  SBA Certified Lenders, Non-traditional Lending Institutions.
• Specialized Business Assistance, i.e.:  Assistance for Hi-tech/Innovative Products & Projects, Trade Assistance, Manufacturing Assistance, Utilities.

To make self-referrals for business assistance requests, see the Regional Business Resource Guide.

I work for a free or low-cost business assistance provider, how can my organization join RBAN?

The answer is you already are!  All public/non-profit business assistance service providers and utilities throughout the County are considered part of the network.  The real question is “How do you become involved?”  Join us at our next quarterly meeting, or send one of your key staff members to make the connection with your counterparts throughout the region. 

RBAN's Mission

To foster collaboration among business assistance providers, throughout Los Angeles County, through a coordinated communication and referral system which maximizes resources to help businesses prosper and strengthen the regional economy.