News Summary
Los Angeles County has initiated the Small Business Resiliency Fund with an allocation of $1.8 million to support small businesses affected by immigration enforcement. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible businesses facing hardships such as revenue loss and workforce challenges. The fund is administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity in collaboration with community organizations, aiming to stabilize local economies and assist entrepreneurs in recovery.
Los Angeles County has launched a new initiative to support small businesses that have been adversely affected by federal immigration enforcement activities. Titled the Small Business Resiliency Fund (SBRF), this program has an initial allocation of $1.8 million, aimed at providing urgently needed financial assistance to struggling entrepreneurs in the region.
The SBRF offers up to $5,000 in financial grants to eligible small businesses that have experienced a variety of negative impacts since June 2025, including workforce loss, property damage, customer decline, economic disruption, and revenue loss attributed to immigration enforcement actions. This fund is designed to help cover essential expenses, such as rent, payroll, repairs for equipment, inventory replacement, and costs associated with recovering from disruptions.
The administration of this fund will be carried out by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in collaboration with SoCal Grantmakers and AidKit. The funding originates from the county’s Care First Community Investment program, reflecting the local government’s commitment to sustaining the economic foundation of its communities.
Applications for the Small Business Resiliency Fund are currently open and will remain so until October 31 at 5 p.m. Interested businesses can submit their applications through the designated portal at opportunity.lacounty.gov/resiliencyfund.
Eligibility Requirements and Assistance
To qualify for assistance, businesses must be located within Los Angeles County and must demonstrate that they have suffered financial hardship due to immigration enforcement-related events after June 6, 2025. The types of impacts eligible for this fund include forced closures, labor shortages caused by detentions, and large revenue losses related to curfews or protests, all of which have become increasingly common due to heightened enforcement activities.
Community-based organizations, such as the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation and the Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation, are expected to assist businesses during the application process and raise awareness about the fund. Furthermore, technical assistance will be accessible in multiple languages to ensure that all applicants can receive the help they need.
Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Local Businesses
While many businesses are expected to seek assistance from the Small Business Resiliency Fund, it is important to note that funding is limited. Not all eligible applicants may receive financial aid, but those not selected will be placed on a waitlist for any future funding opportunities. Organizations interested in contributing to the SBRF are encouraged to contact the DEO for more information about donation possibilities.
In summary, the Small Business Resiliency Fund represents a significant step towards helping local entrepreneurs weather the storms caused by immigration enforcement activities, alleviating financial burdens, and ensuring the ongoing vitality of Los Angeles County’s small business community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boyle Heights Restaurants Struggling Amid ICE Raids
California Households to Receive $700 Million in Electric Bill Refunds
California Faces Economic Shifts Amid Culinary Innovations
Los Angeles County Unveils New Emergency Rent Relief Program
Significant Job Cuts Hit Los Angeles Entertainment Industry
Los Angeles Food Vendors and Businesses Struggle Amid Immigration Raids
Malibu Businesses Struggle Amid Fire Recovery and Economic Challenges
Burlington Business Owners Face Challenges Due to Main Street Construction
Bed Bath & Beyond Exits California Amid Bankruptcy Rebranding
USDA Allocates $18 Million for Farm to School Program
Additional Resources
- Cal O News
- Los Angeles Times
- LAist
- Newsweek
- NBC Los Angeles
- Wikipedia: Immigration Enforcement in the United States
- Google Search: Small Business Resiliency Fund Los Angeles
- Google Scholar: Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Small Businesses
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Google News: Los Angeles Cash Assistance Program
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
