Small Business Programs & Resources
Small businesses in LA County may qualify for up to $20k in grants!
Phase Two, funded by ARPA, will also be available to microbusinesses but will expand to include small businesses and nonprofits with grants ranging between $15,000 or $20,000 per grant for small businesses and $20,000 or $25,000 per grant for nonprofits. Phase Two opened on February 23, 2023 and runs through May 20, 2023 (or when available funds are expended).
- Grants of $15,000 for microbusinesses with $100,000 or less in revenue in either 2019, 2020, or 2021 taxable years that are located and operating in the County of Los Angeles, excluding City of Los Angeles; must have started prior to December 30, 2021.
- Small Businesses: Grants of $20,000 for small businesses between $100,000 and $2 million in revenue in either 2019, 2020, or 2021 taxable year that are located and operating in the County of Los Angeles, excluding City of Los Angeles; must have started prior to December 30, 2021. Application closing May 20, 2023.
- Nonprofits: Grants of $20,000 for small nonprofits under $1 million in revenue in either 2019, 2020, or 2021 taxable years that are located and operating in the County of Los Angeles, including the City of Los Angeles, serving residents countywide; must have started prior to December 30, 2021. Application closing May 20, 2023. Grants of $25,000 for nonprofits with revenue between $1 million and $5 million in either 2019, 2020, or 2021 taxable years that are located and operating in the County of Los Angeles, including the City of Los Angeles, serving residents countywide; must have started prior to December 31, 2021. Application closing May 20, 2023.
Applicants can visit grants.lacounty.gov to apply or to see open and upcoming applications, access live webinars, instructional how-to-apply videos and demos, one-on-one application support and in-person support events across the County. Successful applicants will receive notice within 30 days of submission.
In addition to Economic Opportunity Grant program, small businesses can also connect with DEO’s Office of Small Business to access customized one-on-one business counseling, free legal assistance on topics including commercial tenancy, contract development, intellectual property and more, and specialized webinars, workshops, and trainings to help residents open and grow a business. Contact the Office of Small Business at 844-432-4900 or via email at OSB@opportunity.lacounty.gov.
For a quick glance about the grants, read the ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (EOG) FACT SHEET here.
LA Regional SBDC - Economic Opportunity Grant (EOG) Webinar
Weekly in English, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
LA Regional SBDC - Subsidios de Oportunidades Económicas
Semanal en Español, Lunes y Miércoles @ 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
EOG Virtual Office Hours (register to participate)
Weekly in English @ 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
EOG Subvenciones - Foro Abierto
Sábados en Español @ 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
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Bellflower business owners and operators have a special opportunity to participate with 37Oaks, a commerce development company that helps product entrepreneurs scale and diversify through e-commerce, wholesale, storefronts and pop ups. The City has partnered with 37Oaks to offer a 10-course certified program that is designed to help support our local product-based merchants.
To qualify for this course, your business must be a product-based i.e. food, beverages, clothing, beauty, books, art, etc. located in Bellflower. You must have a desire to grow into a brick-and-mortar store in the city and must have a minimum of 6 months of business operations. Apply today at www.37oaks.com/bellflower.
For Spanish speaking Bellflower business owners and residents, the City is working with Asociación Emprendedor@s to host a free 8-week program that will cover how to start, grow and operate a business. The Spring 2023 course will be held in-person with sessions every Thursday beginning on April 13th through June 1st at Bellflower City Hall, 2nd Floor Green Room (16600 Civic Center Dr. Bellflower, CA 90706) A graduation ceremony is planned for Thursday, June 8th at the Bristol Civic Auditorium, which is adjacent to Bellflower City Hall. For more info: (714) 627-2671
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Meet with an experienced mentor at no-cost through SCORE O.C. Sign up at orangecounty.score.org or en espanol https://www.mentoresdenegocios.org/mentores
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers free small business workshops. To see what's available click here.
Women's Business Centers
SBA funding programs
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance & Resources
Reporting Stigma
If you or someone you know experiences discrimination based on race, nation of origin or other identities, please report it. You can report hate crimes, hate acts, and incidents of bullying in Los Angeles County, whether or not a crime has been committed. Call the Los Angeles County Information line 2-1-1 which is available 24/7, or file a report online at: https://www.211la.org/public-healthand-safety/anti-hate.
