Office of Small Business adds second commercial leasing adviser after program helped negotiate leases for dozens of businesses

The Office of Small Business said on Feb. 7, 2025, that it will hire a second commercial leasing adviser to expand assistance to small-business tenants negotiating leases and to broaden outreach and training.

Director Tang told the Small Business Commission the office's commercial leasing specialist handled more than 200 cases in fiscal year 2023-24 and the work resulted in roughly 40 signed leases. "Once we empower business owners to understand what's in their lease ... we are both preventing vacancies and allowing these business owners to stay in their spaces longer," Tang said.

Why it matters: Lease terms and negotiation are a frequent source of displacement pressure for businesses that do not own their property. The office plans to use additional capacity to produce recorded videos, hold webinars and continue one-on-one lease review services.

Commissioners and public commenters praised the service as high-value prevention work that can save small businesses both money and time, with one commissioner describing prevented costs and untenable lease terms that the leasing adviser helped avoid. Commissioners asked whether the office documents trends across leases; staff said they will produce broader outreach materials as capacity increases and can connect interested parties to the leasing specialist for case-specific review.

No formal vote was required for the staffing update; it was presented as an informational director's report. Staff said the new hire was completed ahead of the mayor's hiring freeze and will start the week following the meeting.

Ending: Staff said the expanded leasing assistance will be accompanied by webinars and recorded guidance intended to reach more small-business owners while continuing to offer individualized reviews for complex cases.