LA’s rebuilding and recovery efforts  continue with  support from Governor Newsom and LA Rises

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and City of Los Angeles on March 13 announced the first round of grants for the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds that will provide direct cash assistance to impacted workers, small businesses, and non-profits. A total of $2.7 million was disbursed to 82 businesses and 324 workers in this initial phase, including those businesses and nonprofits that had physical brick-and-mortar locations destroyed in the fires.

“We know that small businesses are not only key to a thriving economy but also make up the heart of healthy communities, and we’re committed to doing everything in our power to help them rise and rebuild. We applaud the City and County of Los Angeles for getting these critical funds out the door as quickly as possible to protect and support the businesses and workers that have been most impacted,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Supported by a $10 million investment from the State of California, Maersk and APM Terminals, and LA Rises, led by Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, business leader and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Casey Wasserman, these relief funds are expected to award an additional $15.9 million later this month. This was the first investment by LA Rises, the unified recovery effort launched by the Governor in January.