Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has launched a cash assistance program for small businesses in Council District 14 to help cover up to $3,000 in expenses, including employee payroll, rent and utilities.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for Jurado’s Microenterprise Grant Program, businesses must demonstrate financial need, be located in CD14, have five or fewer employees and generate $1 million or less in annual revenue.
Business owners with multiple eligible businesses may only apply once. A full list of ineligible businesses can be found here.
According to Jurado’s office, businesses are encouraged to apply even if they are unclear whether they qualify.
How will grantees be chosen?
Grants will be awarded to eligible businesses that create or retain jobs in the city and priority will be given to those that have not received financial assistance through city, state, or federal programs. The program will also prioritize businesses located in low-to-moderate income (LMI) census tracts, those with W-2 employees and those located in commercial “brick and mortar” locations.
Finalists will be notified 30 days after the application closes.
How is the program funded?
The program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program provides grants to states, cities, and counties to “develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons,” according to the HUD website.
How to apply:
The application is available online here. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31.
Application assistance is available in-person at the local BusinessSource Centers listed below:
East Los Angeles (New Economics for Women)
1780 E First St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
ELABSC@neworg.us
(323) 568-1520
Pico Union/Westlake (PACE)
1055 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 900-B, Los Angeles, CA 90017
PicoUnionLABSC@pacela.org
(213) 353-9400
