The Los Angeles Post

DEO Awards $350,000 to Help 35 Small Businesses Open Brick-and-Mortar Locations in Unincorporated Los Angeles County through the Small Business Mobility Fund Launch Grants

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Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has awarded a total of $350,000 to 35 small businesses through its Small Business Mobility Fund (SBMF) Launch Grants, helping entrepreneurs establish or expand new brick-and-mortar locations in the unincorporated communities of Los Angeles County. Today’s announcement follows a first round of $105,000 awards in April of 2026 for 12 businesses.

The SBMF Launch Grants provided $10,000 in seed funding to 30 businesses launching in retail spaces with storefronts and $5,000 to five businesses launching in non-retail commercial spaces. Businesses may leverage funds for tenant improvements, façade enhancements, signage, permitting costs, inventory, and other expenses associated with launching a brick-and-mortar business.

The SBMF is a key capital program of the department’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI), spearheaded by LA County Board of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (2021 motion, 2022 motion). EMI expands the capacity of DEO’s Office of Small Business with 15+ trusted, business-serving partners and delivers education, training and technical assistance, and capital to 10,000 historically disinvested entrepreneurs and small businesses. EMI supports outcomes beyond start-up and growth, centering anti-displacement, wealth generation, and economic mobility for LA County’s diverse and vibrant small business community. The SBMF Launch Grants are funded by the County’s Care First Community Investment (CFCI) and are administered in partnership with Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods (ICON) Community Development Corporation (CDC).

“The Small Business Mobility Fund Launch Grants, which the Board proudly established at the start of this year, is doing exactly what it was designed to do: bridging the gap between small businesses and the fiscal and economic challenges many face,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “This is more than a grant; it is a testament to the County’s commitment to stand by our local businesses. With businesses across the region feeling the impacts of federal policy changes, rising costs and other challenges, this program strengthens local entrepreneurship while ensuring small businesses in our unincorporated communities have the support they need to grow, overcome challenges, and build pathways to success.”

“When we invest in local entrepreneurs, we invest in the long-term stability of our neighborhoods. These grants reflect a simple belief that opportunity should reach every community, including the unincorporated areas too often left out of the conversation,” said LA County Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “I am proud that Care First Community Investment dollars are helping residents build businesses, create jobs, and put down roots right where they live. This is economic justice in action.”

“Opening a storefront is one of the biggest milestones—and often one of the biggest financial hurdles for a small business owner,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of DEO. “The Small Business Mobility Fund is about helping entrepreneurs move from vision to reality. These grants are helping small businesses invest in their communities, strengthen local commercial corridors, and create lasting economic opportunity across unincorporated Los Angeles County.”

The SBMF Launch Grant awardees represent a diverse cross-section of Los Angeles County’s entrepreneurial community, spanning industries including food and beverage, retail, health and wellness, and professional services. Recipients include entrepreneurs rebuilding after wildfire-related displacement, first-time storefront owners realizing their dream of opening a permanent location, and growing businesses expanding to better serve residents.

“This grant really helped us expand and open a second location. We’re going to be making various improvements as well as putting mirrors up and different lights on the inside to make it feel really on brand,” said Lauren Quan-Madrid, owner of People’s Yoga, which is set to open on Pomona Boulevard in Los Angeles.

“Thanks to this grant we were able to hire an architect and move our approvals forward with the city. We are set for approval in the next week or so and I can’t wait to start tenant improvements to make the space appealing for customers,” said Matt F owner of Central Depot Inc., opening on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. 

While the Launch Grants are now closed, DEO continues to offer SBMF Formalization Grants to help eligible sidewalk vendors formalize and grow their businesses as well as referrals to capital through its Office of Small Business. DEO’s Office of Small Business is located at the East Los Angeles Entrepreneur Center at 4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, Building B, Los Angeles, CA, 90022. Business owners can call (844) 432-4900 or enroll in available and regularly updated programs and services through the Economic Mobility Initiative at emi.lacounty.gov.