LA County Awards More Than $5.1 Million to Over 1,200 Small Businesses Through the Small Business Resiliency Fund

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis today announced 872 small businesses have been awarded more than $3.6 million in the second round of funding from the Small Business Resiliency Fund (SBRF).

This latest round builds on the initial $1.53 million awarded to 367 businesses. As of today, the Fund awarded its second round of funding and has altogether delivered more than $5.1 million in direct assistance to 1,239 small businesses, though 1,593 applicants were determined eligible for support. This includes a dedicated commitment announced today by Chair Solis for an additional $590,000 to close the gap for 146 First District small businesses. The Fund is supported by Care First Community Investment and County dollars.

The Fund provides capital to businesses located within the curfew zone or countywide that experienced workforce loss, property damage, or significant declines in customers or revenue as a result of immigration enforcement actions. Eligible applicants include brick-and-mortar storefronts, independent contractors, sidewalk vendors, and certain consumer-facing home-based businesses such as licensed childcare providers.

The awards underscore the urgency of economic relief documented in the Economic Impacts of Federal Immigration Enforcement in LA County report jointly released last month by the Board of Supervisors, DEO, and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The report highlights the critical role immigrant, and undocumented workers play in the County’s economy, and the impacts of ongoing federal immigration enforcements across Los Angeles County. Undocumented workers contribute an estimated $253.9 billion in total economic output—equivalent to 17% of LA County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—supporting more than 1.06 million jobs and generating $80.4 billion in labor income across industries, including construction, manufacturing, retail, and services.

The report also examined the economic consequences of enforcement actions, including a nightly curfew in Downtown Los Angeles and ongoing, countywide disruptions. The June 2025 curfew, imposed from June 10 through June 16 in response to protests tied to intensified federal immigration enforcement, is estimated to have resulted in approximately $840 million in total output losses, 3,920 job-years of lost employment, and $312 million in lost labor income under a short-term disruption scenario.

“The Small Business Resiliency Fund highlights the lasting impacts of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies and makes clear that the need for support in our communities remains urgent,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “Many workers, families, and small businesses continue to face uncertainty and economic disruption as a result. Through this effort, we are taking meaningful steps to provide resources that help stabilize our local businesses, protect jobs, and support the communities that power our economy. Every action matters, and together we will continue building resilience and opportunity across Los Angeles County.”

“Immigrant entrepreneurs are an essential part of LA County’s economic engine, contributing billions in economic output and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. When our small businesses experience sudden disruptions, the ripple effects are felt across neighborhoods and industries. Programs like the Small Business Resiliency Fund provide timely support so businesses can stabilize, protect jobs, and continue contributing to the region’s economy,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity.

“Small businesses—many of them founded and powered by immigrant entrepreneurs—are the backbone of Los Angeles County’s economy and the lifeblood of our neighborhoods. As our recent analysis found, immigrant and undocumented workers help generate an estimated $253.9 billion in economic output—about 17% of the County’s GDP—underscoring why programs like the Small Business Resiliency Fund are so important to help businesses stabilize during disruptions and continue creating jobs and opportunity across the region,” said Stephen Cheung, President and CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

“We are very grateful to Los Angeles County, the Department of Economic Opportunity, and Supervisor Solis for recognizing the challenges small businesses face and for investing in programs that support businesses and the communities that depend on them. Thank you for supporting small businesses in Los Angeles,” said Taqueria Ameca, one of the small businesses awarded in round two.

The SBRF was launched on September 29, 2025, following a motion introduced by Chair Solis and Supervisor Hahn on June 17, 2025, calling for the establishment of a business interruption fund and other economic resiliency and humanitarian-focused interventions to support businesses directly affected by immigration enforcement activities.

The SBRF grant awards range from $2,000 to $5,000 and may be used for essential business expenses, including rent, payroll, inventory, marketing, and debt repayment. Award notifications are being issued by third-party administrator AidKit in coordination with DEO and fiscal sponsor SoCal Grantmakers.

Businesses not selected due to ineligibility will be notified and referred to alternative resources. Businesses deemed eligible but not selected in either round will remain on the waitlist for future consideration, subject to the availability of additional funding. All applicants will be offered the opportunity to work with DEO’s Office of Small Business for technical assistance and ongoing support to strengthen long-term resiliency.

Throughout both rounds, DEO partnered with multilingual community-based organizations, including ICON CDC, LEEAF, and CRCD, to provide outreach, application assistance, and support materials in 13 languages to ensure equitable access.

DEO continues to welcome philanthropic and private sector partners interested in expanding the reach of the Small Business Resiliency Fund. For more information, contact Funds@opportunity.lacounty.gov.

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About DEO:  About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has a vision for a more equitable economy with thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and opportunity and mobility for all. The department, with its America’s Job Centers of California, Office of Small Business, and hundreds of programs and partners, creates quality jobs, helps small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and builds vibrant communities and spaces. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.

SOURCE: https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/la-county-awards-more-than-5-1-million-to-over-1200-small-businesses-through-the-small-business-resiliency-fund/