Altadena Businesses Offered Subsidized Workers to Aid Wildfire Recovery

Local businesses can receive fully subsidized temporary workers for up to 800 hours through a Los Angeles County program designed to aid recovery from the January 2025 wildfires, according to a flyer distributed through the Altadena Chamber of Commerce newsletter.

The Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program, administered by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, covers 100 percent of wages, basic benefits and payroll costs for temporary workers matched to participating businesses. The program simultaneously supports workers who were displaced by the Eaton Fire.

According to the department’s announcement, the program offers several tiers of support. Businesses receive access to a pool of pre-screened candidates matched to their needs. On-site training can be tailored to specific business requirements, and employers have the option of permanently retaining one worker after the program concludes.

For businesses ready to make permanent hires, the program provides no-cost business services representatives and additional hiring incentives, including eligibility for the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit, according to the department’s materials.

The program also offers on-the-job training wage reimbursement for businesses that choose to train new employees directly.

Interested Altadena businesses can submit an interest form at bit.ly/FRRWPbiz.