LA County Distributes $19.1 Million in Wildfire Relief Funds to Small Businesses, Workers

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity has awarded $19.1 million in relief grants to more than 3,600 workers and small businesses affected by recent wildfires, officials announced Tuesday.

The LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds distributed $14.52 million to 1,372 small businesses and nonprofits, with awards ranging from $2,000 to $25,000. An additional $4.62 million went to 2,309 workers who each received $2,000.

“These relief funds represent real hope for the small businesses, nonprofits, and workers who lost everything in the fires,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “Recovery won’t happen overnight, but this direct financial support is a critical lifeline to help our communities rebuild and move forward. I appreciate all the partners who stepped up to make this possible. I’ll continue pushing for more resources to meet the ongoing need.”

The relief program launched Feb. 6, less than a month after the fires began. The County initially invested $1 million and eventually raised the total to $19.1 million through public-private-philanthropic partnerships, including an additional $4 million in County investments.

Officials reported receiving 14,477 complete applications for assistance.

About 821 brick-and-mortar and home-based businesses and nonprofits in the fire zone that were fully destroyed received funding, representing approximately 50% of businesses with fewer than 100 employees in those zones that suffered complete destruction.

“Just as California came together to fight the fires, we’ll work together to rebuild these communities that have been most impacted,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“The ongoing impact of these fires has been devastating — including for small business owners and workers who lost everything,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “LA County has taken action through launching the Small Business and Worker Relief Funds to get direct support to the people who need it most. I’m grateful to all of our partners who have joined us in helping communities begin to recover and rebuild their lives.”

Among business and nonprofit recipients, approximately 50% also faced home loss, 50% were legacy businesses serving their communities for over 10 years, 65% reported being underinsured, and 65% represent diverse business ownership.

Of worker grant recipients, about half faced permanent loss of employment or income due to the disaster, 44% reported being low-income and using public benefits, and 28% reported ineligibility or lack of access to public unemployment assistance.

The program also supported 283 impacted creative workers.

“The arts and creative sector is part of the social fabric of communities, and one of our significant economic industries locally and statewide. The wildfires damaged the livelihoods of artists, creatives, studios and creative businesses, affecting the cultural vitality of LA County. We were pleased to partner with Department of Economic Opportunity to combine resources to support artists and creatives whose work includes music, art, film, craft, production, and more. It’s crucial both to their lives and because we know their work, and our arts infrastructure, will be needed for the rebuilding and recovery of the whole community,” said Kristin Sakoda, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.

Applications revealed economic impacts beyond the immediate fire zones, with approximately 3,000 businesses and nonprofits and 2,500 workers reporting impacts outside the fire and evacuation zones. The Department of Economic Opportunity will be working with the State and local partners to conduct an economic impact analysis that supports additional relief and long-term recovery in the areas.

Award notifications began reaching recipients Tuesday. Selected awardees must complete an enrollment form by April 19 to confirm their preferred payment method, including direct deposit for businesses and direct deposit or prepaid debit cards for workers. Prepaid debit cards will be available for pickup at designated locations, including the Boyle Heights Impacted Family and Worker Center and the West LA Impacted Family and Worker Center.

“In just weeks, we stood up and mobilized an unprecedented public-private-philanthropic partnership to deliver rapid, direct relief to the workers, small businesses, and nonprofits whose livelihoods were upended by the devastating wildfires,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity. “Our commitment doesn’t end here — we will continue to stand with our communities every step of the way as we rebuild and recover.”

Officials acknowledged that current funding is insufficient to assist all impacted applicants. Those not selected have been placed on a waitlist and will be notified if additional funding becomes available.

The relief funds remain open to contributions through the County’s website at lacounty.gov/relief.

Major contributors include Los Angeles County, the State of California, Maersk and APM Terminals, LA Rises (led by Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, business leader and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Casey Wasserman), Fire Aid, California Community Foundation – CalFire, Wells Fargo, Kayne Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, Hilton Foundation, Prologis, Publicis Media, The Korean American Association of Southwest, and New Jersey Capital.

Resources and information for businesses and workers navigating recovery efforts are available at https://bit.ly/DEOWildfireResponse.