Dear West Valley Local Business Community,

When local business thrives, so does the entire West Valley. As your Councilmember, I am driven to ensure the survival of the West Valley's local business community despite the terrible economic hardships happening right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the convenience of local business owners, I have compiled a list of resources that can help local businesses weather losses in revenue. 

Local Resources

Find your Nearest Business Source Center

Business Source Centers offer a full range of local services to employers and employees. While they are physically closed, they are still taking calls and are open for business virtually.

Managed Career Solutions (MCS)

MCS provides vocational assessment services public social services and welfare-to-work clients to assist them with determining which education, training, and career path to pursue in their quest to obtain employment and attain economic self-sufficiency.

LA Economic Development Corporation Layoff Aversion Program

The Layoff Aversion Program provides resources for financing, tax credits, transition of ownership, real estate issues, and many other critical resources.

LA Small Business Development Center Response Guide

This useful guidance will update on a regular basis and outline a) available support from the Small Business Administration for business loans and EDD for employees and employers, b) recommended strategies businesses can take immediately to account for business disruption, and c) basic information about COVID-19 and business recovery practices.

State Resources

CA Labor and Workforce Development Agency

The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) is an executive branch agency that provides leadership to protect and improve the well-being of California’s current and future workforce. 

CA Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development Resource Guide

This guide includes State information from CA Department of Public Health, California Department of Labor and Workforce, Office of the Small Business Advocate, and many more resources from Sacramento

CA IBank Small Business Finance Center

The SBFC helps businesses create and retain jobs, and encourages investment in low- to moderate-income communities. The SBFC has a Jump Start Loan Program, a Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, and a Farm Loan Program.

CA Treasurer's Capital Access Program CalCAP

CalCAP actively encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that struggle with obtaining financing and includes a collateral support program.

Statewide Webinar from CA Small Business Majority

This statewide webinar covers policy updates related to COVID-19 and informs viewers about applying for Unemployment Insurance worksharing programs if a business is experiencing slowdowns, details on the SBA Disaster Assistance Loan, and much more.

CA Treasurer's Small Business Resource Guide

This resource will be updated live via google spreadsheets and includes valuable information on what loans and grants are available to struggling businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

Federal Resources

CDC Federal Guidance for Businesses and Employers

This helpful guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will help business owners change their habits to increase safety among their workplace.

CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations

The CDC helps inform businesses how to maintain cleanliness in their workplaces.

Small Business Administration To Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Business Impacted by COVID-19

The Small Business Administration's loan will offer up to $2 million in assistance to struggling small businesses at a low interest rate.

For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov(link sends e-mail).

My office will continue circulating the latest updates as they become available. To stay up to date, please visit  http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/, sign up for NotifyLA, and dial 2-1-1 to speak with a live representative from the county about health resources.  

Grants from Corporations

The Sempra Energy Foundation announced a $1 million hardship fund for small to medium nonprofits. 

Nonprofits can apply to receive a grant between $500 to $50,000 from Sempra Energy. Apply here.