Expanded city Web site offers help for businesses

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

Selecting a location to start a new business on O'ahu got a lot easier, as the city yesterday unveiled an expanded section of its economic development Web site containing a trove of integrated property, business and demographic information.

With a few clicks of the computer mouse, the public can search a database of commercial properties for lease or sale on the island, and generate reports listing nearby competing and supporting businesses, consumer spending patterns, work force population and other demographic information such as education and income levels. Traffic counts are expected soon.

For example, within two miles of the Kalihi-Palama area, there are about 5,000 businesses listed by name and address, including 40 agricultural and 956 retail businesses.

Annual retail spending in the same radius included $76 million on motor vehicles and $50 million at restaurants.

Mayor Jeremy Harris said the goal of the site is to attract new businesses to the island, especially from outside Hawai'i. "It gives us enormous opportunity to market ourselves to anywhere in the world," he said. "We need to be competitive there."

Harris said 40 percent of business site selection projects start on the Internet, while decisions to expand or relocate a business are made 85 percent of the time without the help of a national consultant.

The site, however, also will be of use to local residents planning to open, relocate or expand their business.

Developing the site's database and search program cost the city $30,000. Sources of data include Dun & Bradstreet, the Census and city and state records.

The Dun & Bradstreet business and consumer spending information is updated monthly, according to Courtney Harrington, the city's chief information officer.

The Web page can be accessed at www.co.honolulu.hi.us

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.