{"id":83379,"date":"2026-08-22T23:54:43","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T06:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=83379"},"modified":"2026-08-22T23:54:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T06:54:43","slug":"la-county-launches-new-technical-assistance-programs-to-help-small-businesses-access-capital-and-strengthen-financial-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=83379","title":{"rendered":"LA County Launches New Technical Assistance Programs to Help Small Businesses Access Capital and Strengthen Financial Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) offers education and one-on-one guidance for\u00a0200+ small businesses through new\u00a0Financial Clinic and Marketing Lab+ programs<\/em><\/p>\n

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Los Angeles, CA\u00a0<\/strong>\u2014 Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the launch and open enrollment for the\u00a0Los Angeles County Financial\u00a0Clinic<\/a>, a new, no-cost program designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses strengthen their financial health, pursue pathways to capital, reduce debt, improve credit, and build long-term financial resilience. This program is the newest in a series of technical assistance programs and services now available through DEO and the\u00a0California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), including\u00a0Marketing Lab that additionally strengthens small business\u2019 digital marketing impact.<\/p>\n

Small businesses are the backbone of Los Angeles County\u2019s economy, driving job creation, innovation, and community wealth.\u00a0Yet many continue to face mounting economic pressures\u2014from inflation and rising operating costs to declining revenue and increasing debt. These challenges can hinder growth and long-term stability, especially for businesses with limited access to financial education, credit\u2011building resources, and capital readiness support.<\/p>\n

To address these challenges,\u00a0the LA County Financial Clinic will help small businesses strengthen financial resilience through individualized coaching, financial education, capital readiness assistance, and debt management support. Program components include financial assessments, educational workshops, and in-depth one-on-one counseling. The program is delivered by DEO\u2019s Office of Small Business and regional partners as part of the\u00a0Economic Mobility Initiative, launched by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and the LA County Board of Supervisors in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs small businesses continue to navigate economic challenges and barriers to growth, Los Angeles County is committed to ensuring entrepreneurs have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed,\u201d\u00a0said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cI was proud to help establish the Economic Mobility Initiative, which has connected small businesses in underserved communities with technical assistance and resources to strengthen their operations, improve financial resilience, and pursue new opportunities. These new programs build on that foundation by providing tailored support to help entrepreneurs compete, expand their businesses, and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive economy across Los Angeles County.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“When I introduced the motion to create the Economic Mobility Initiative, the goal was simple: ensure that every entrepreneur in LA County, regardless of zip code or banking relationship, has the tools, capital, and connections to grow. These programs are that commitment in action, delivering hands-on support and real pathways to capital, critical guidance, and financial stability. Our small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods, and when they thrive, so do the communities they serve,”\u00a0shared Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAccess to capital is one of the most significant barriers small businesses face, especially in today\u2019s economic climate,\u201d\u00a0said<\/strong>\u00a0Kelly LoBianco, Director, LA County Department of Economic Opportunity<\/strong>. \u201cThe LA County Financial Clinic and Marketing Lab programs are\u00a0essential to ensuring entrepreneurs have the tools, guidance, and pathways they need to secure funding, increase cash flow, strengthen their financial foundation, and ultimately thrive and grow. When we help small businesses access capital, we\u2019re not just supporting individual entrepreneurs \u2014 we\u2019re investing in the long-term economic vitality of communities across Los Angeles County.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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LA County Financial Clinic services are delivered by Managed Career Solutions (MCS) and Money Management International (MMI). MCS services include one-on-one technical assistance, financial literacy workshops, profitability and financial assessments, budgeting, cash\u2011flow management, financial planning, and capital readiness coaching. MMI\u2019s services include debt counseling, money\u2011management support, budget counseling, credit review, debt\u2011management planning, and financial stabilization services. Together, these services help participating businesses improve financial management, reduce debt-related barriers, improve cash flow, prepare to access capital, and strengthen overall financial health.<\/p>\n

“MCS looks forward to empowering entrepreneurs with the tools, coaching, and resources needed to strengthen their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to a more resilient local economy. Together, we are committed to advancing\u202fequitable\u202feconomic opportunity and fostering long-term prosperity for communities throughout Los Angeles County alongside DEO,\u201d\u202fsaid\u202fDr. Philip Starr, MCS Executive Director.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“For more than 60 years, Money Management International (MMI) \u2013 formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Los Angeles \u2013 has been proud to serve Southern California communities through trusted financial counseling and education,\u201d\u202fsaid Tom De Poy, SVP of Industry Relations at MMI<\/strong>. \u201cWe’re honored to continue that legacy by partnering with the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity to help local small businesses strengthen their financial foundation, navigate debt challenges, and build the resilience needed to grow. When entrepreneurs have access to personalized guidance and practical financial tools, they’re better positioned to create lasting success for themselves, their employees, families, and communities they serve.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The LA County Financial Clinic joins another program launched this month \u2012\u00a0Shop Local Marketing Lab, which helps small businesses strengthen their marketing strategies and reach more customers in an increasingly digital marketplace. The six\u2011week virtual program offers both basic and advanced learning tracks and\u00a0includes weekly interactive workshops, one-on-one office hours, a library of on-demand educational videos, and customized Marketing Plans for participating businesses. The program is delivered by the Braven Agency as part of the Shop Local LA County campaign, which connects consumers to local small businesses. Cohorts are now underway, and limited space is still available. Learn more by visiting\u00a0shoplocal.la\/marketing-lab<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Both programs are made possible by a grant provided by CalOSBA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) and together will seek to serve a minimum of 200 businesses. To be eligible, businesses must be located in\u00a0Los Angeles County and have 100 or fewer employees and $19 million or less in annual revenue, consistent with California Department of General Services (DGS) small business standards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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To enroll in the Financial Clinic and learn more, please visit:\u00a0emi.lacounty.gov\/FinancialClinic\/<\/a>.\u202fAll programs are open through at least end of September 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LA County Department of Economic Opportunity...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ca-local","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=83379"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83380,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83379\/revisions\/83380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=83379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=83379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=83379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}