Los Angeles county officials have announced that a $584,000 grant program for small businesses and non-profit organizations has opened for applications on Saturday, November 30th.
According to the city news agency, the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, in collaboration with the Pacific Asian Consortium of Employment (PACE), has launched the Economic Opportunity Holiday Grant Program to assist small businesses still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, stated, “We understand the importance of small businesses and non-profit organizations to the economy, and we also understand the critical role that capital plays for them – whether it’s for recovery, growth, or innovation. We are excited to roll out the Economic Opportunity Holiday Grant Program and continue unlocking capital opportunities for our entrepreneurial community.”
These grants are part of the Department of Economic Opportunity’s larger Economic Opportunity Grant Program, which has already distributed $55.7 million in grants to 5,151 small businesses and non-profit organizations affected by the pandemic and other economic impacts this year. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Office of Small Business Advocate.
William Chun, Chief Operating Officer of PACE, expressed, “We are thrilled to collaborate with county leadership and the Department of Economic Opportunity to launch the Economic Opportunity Holiday Grant Program. As small businesses and non-profit organizations continue to struggle post-pandemic, this program demonstrates the county government’s ongoing commitment to helping those most in need.”
Applications will remain open through the holiday season, with funds set to be distributed in February 2025. For more information, visit the Department of Economic Opportunity website at opportunity.lacounty.gov.