{"id":75158,"date":"2025-09-03T11:06:05","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T18:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=75158"},"modified":"2025-09-03T11:06:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T18:06:05","slug":"la-region-receives-nearly-24-million-in-california-jobs-first-funding-to-drive-life-science-sector-growth-and-job-creation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=75158","title":{"rendered":"LA Region Receives Nearly $24 Million in California Jobs First Funding to Drive Life Science Sector Growth and Job Creation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles, CA \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and partners are excited to receive $23.92 million in funding through the\u00a0California Jobs First (CJF) Regional Investment Initiative (RII)<\/strong>\u00a0to advance sustainable and equitable economic growth. This investment will catalyze the LA Region\u2019s 5-Year\u00a0Life Sciences Industry Strategy and Action Plan<\/a>,\u202fa roadmap to establish the region as a global leader in bio-innovation and create 10,000 high-quality, inclusive jobs by 2030. The Life Sciences Strategy was developed and announced by DEO and 17+ cross-sector life sciences leaders in July of 2025 and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a\u00a0motion<\/a>\u00a0directing its implementation. The CJF RII award was announced in a\u00a0press release<\/a>\u00a0by the Governor of California and its Office of Business and Development (GO-Biz) and Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) on Friday, August 29th.<\/p>\n

Developed through extensive industry and stakeholder engagement, the LA Region Life Sciences Strategy outlines eight recommendations to build on LA County\u2019s core assets, including a world-class talent pipeline, powerhouse research institutions, and an extensive bench of top anchor firms, while directly confronting barriers to inclusive growth.<\/p>\n

The $23.92 million awarded by CJF will help fund implementation of key actions, including: 1. expanding graduation space and funding for retention and growth of promising companies; 2. providing incentives for attraction of outside firms to the region; 3. strengthening the cluster\u2019s connectivity and collaboration; and 4. develop and unite around a compelling opportunity narrative for the LA Region\u2019s value proposition in the life sciences.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis landmark investment positions LA County as a national leader in life sciences innovation and job creation. Life science is one of the fastest growing sectors in LA County, and this investment by California Jobs First will help build on the exciting momentum underway. By expanding the infrastructure companies need to grow here, we\u2019re strengthening our economy, attracting and retaining major employers, and building the foundation for long-term growth right here in Los Angeles County,\u201d\u00a0said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThank you to the State of California for this landmark investment in LA County\u2019s life sciences sector. This funding will fast-track implementation of our five-year regional strategy and action plan, driving inclusive industry growth, expanding high-quality job pathways, and building the infrastructure needed to keep cutting-edge innovation and talent right here in LA,\u201d\u00a0said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAt DEO, we are proud to partner with LAEDC, BioscienceLA, Larta Institute, and many other industry stakeholders to advance these critical projects that will help ensure economic opportunity reaches every community we serve.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“This initiative builds a future where the life sciences sector serves as a catalyst for inclusive, high-quality jobs for the people of Los Angeles County. By anchoring leading life science companies in our region, we’re laying the foundation for an economy that is more innovative, equitable, and resilient. LA County has the talent, the research, and the infrastructure. This funding allows us to connect the dots and help life sciences companies land here, grow here, and hire here,\u201d\u00a0said<\/strong>\u00a0Stephen Cheung, President and CEO of the LA County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Los Angeles County has every ingredient to lead the world in life sciences — research, talent, diversity, and scale. What we\u2019ve lacked is the shared visibility and alignment to act as one region. Through California Jobs First, BioscienceLA alongside our cluster partners are delivering the Asset Map and Activation Campaign that will serve as the connective framework for the LA Bioscience Cluster. By uniting people, data, and stories, we will transform fragmentation into coordinated action — driving equitable job creation, expanding economic mobility opportunities, and positioning Los Angeles as a globally competitive, community-centered bioscience hub,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0<\/strong>Stephanie Hsieh, CEO, BioscienceLA.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cLarta\u2019s Fueling Sustainable Capital project, funded through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative, will expand our ability to deliver vital technical assistance to more enterprises and establish a fund to provide catalytic capital to bioscience and medtech companies across LA County. Larta is proud to align the work we will conduct under this award with the work of our remarkable partners in the LA Collaborative, which the State sees as a model for regional growth and collaboration,\u201d\u00a0said<\/strong>\u00a0Rohit Shukla Founder & CEO, Larta Institute.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The $23.92 million awarded by CJF will fund four, interconnected regional projects to advance inclusive growth and a regional goal of 10,000 high-quality jobs by 2030.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Project 1: Expand Life Sciences Infrastructure for Growth\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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