LA County Expands Support For Small Businesses

Photo: EMS

By Selen Ozturk

Los Angeles County has launched new support programs for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 2025 wildfires. These initiatives, introduced by the county’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), include financial relief, legal assistance, extended unemployment benefits, and resources for sidewalk vendors and home-based kitchens.

With approximately 1.4 million small businesses—99.96% of all businesses in the county—LA has the highest concentration of women- and minority-owned businesses in the country. Many of these businesses have faced severe economic setbacks due to recent disasters.

“The last 60 days have brought devastation,” said DEO Director Kelly LoBianco. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing essential goods, services, and community spaces.”

Relief Programs for Small Businesses

The recent wildfires caused up to $275 billion in damages, impacting nearly 1,900 small businesses and displacing thousands of residents. In response, the DEO has extended unemployment and disaster unemployment insurance through March 31, offering application assistance.

Additional resources include emergency cash grants, permit assistance, daily business resource events, and a free space-sharing web portal for businesses in need of storefronts or kitchen spaces.

Legal and Business Assistance

LA County is also providing pro bono legal aid to help small businesses navigate issues such as lease agreements, employment law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, tax liability, and bankruptcy. Business owners can access these services through the DEO and the LA/SoCal Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Patrick Nye, regional director of the SBDC, emphasized the importance of these programs. “We offer daily training workshops and one-on-one advising in 20 languages. Our goal is to help businesses access funding, navigate disaster recovery, and secure contracts.”

Support for Home-Based Kitchens

The county has expanded its support for informal businesses through initiatives like the sidewalk vendor program and the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) Ordinance. MEHKO allows home-based cooks to legally sell up to 30 meals per day, providing a pathway for small food businesses to operate within regulations.

Richard Gomeztrejo, owner of WRAPS-TO-GOmeztrejo, credits MEHKO for helping him formalize his business. “I started making wraps for coworkers during the pandemic. MEHKO gave me the permits and confidence to grow my business.”

Legal Aid

Legal support has proven crucial for businesses facing challenges such as lease disputes. Liana Austin, director of Discovery World Early Education Center, used county-provided legal aid to challenge an unexpected six-figure charge from her landlord.

“With a small amount of legal support, we were able to fight back and protect our business,” Austin said. “Navigating the law is complex, and small businesses often face power imbalances. I encourage all business owners to take advantage of these free resources.”

How to Access Assistance

Small business owners can learn more and apply for support through the DEO website, by phone at 844-777-2059, by email at deo@opportunity.lacounty.gov, or in person at the department’s office at 510 S. Vermont Avenue, East LA. Legal aid is available through the LA/SoCal SBDC at 866-375-9511. (Ethnic Media Services)

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