La Laguna Launches Initiative to Protect Local Businesses and Support Succession

Keeping local businesses alive has become a top priority for city leaders, who are worried that a lack of new owners could hurt the local economy. To tackle this, the La Laguna City Council has launched "La Laguna Connects Commerce," a new plan designed to help local shops survive the challenges of retirement and the shift toward digital sales.

The issue of business succession is a serious one. When a successful shop closes simply because there is no one to take it over, the community loses jobs and a vital part of its social fabric. To prevent this, the municipality is using a data-driven approach. By setting up a research lab and offering expert technical support, the city can better track the health of local businesses and make informed decisions.

The council’s plan begins with a consultation phase, where business owners and trade associations can share their insights. This ensures that new policies actually address the real-world needs of shopkeepers. The strategy then moves into five key areas of action, ranging from training in artificial intelligence and online sales to modernizing storefronts and creating podcasts to help shops reach more customers.

Councilor Fran Hernández, head of the Department of Commerce, notes that these shops are more than just businesses; they are the heart of the neighborhood’s identity. By providing merchants with the tools to adapt to a digital world, La Laguna aims to ensure that technology becomes a bridge to success rather than a barrier, keeping traditional businesses thriving for years to come.