August 2023

BusinessSource Center Now Open for Watts Entrepreneurs

In a collaboration between EWDD and Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), the Watts BusinessSource Center (BSC) doors officially opened on August 10, 2023, at the Children’s Institute building, located in the Watts community. The Watts BSC will provide local businesses with free business counseling services such as access to capital, navigating permits and license requirements, business training and workshops, marketing and technical assistance, and other services to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

At the press conference portion, Mayor Bass and other elected speakers noted the importance of providing minority-owned businesses with free business counseling services. By providing access to these business resources, minority entrepreneurs in the Watts community can develop and grow their businesses, and contribute back to their local communities. One avenue to do that is to get more small businesses involved with City contracts.

After speeches, City leaders and Watts organizations gathered for a ribbon-cutting in front of the renovated BusinessSource office space. Attendees also got the opportunity to network with and support local businesses such as Black Money Matters, Ji're Fashions, South LA Café, Watts Burger, and Island Tings.

To learn more about business services provided through our BusinessSource Centers, visit bit.ly/LABusinessSource.

BusinessSource Centers

JEDI Zones and BSC Help Lenchita’s Restaurant with Capital

The City of Los Angeles Jobs and Economic Development Incentive Zones (JEDI) Program provides economic development incentives for underserved areas that experience persistent unemployment and underemployment, low and moderate household income earnings, and neighborhood instability. The program aims to gradually create economic equity citywide by promoting and expanding local businesses, resulting in greater employment opportunities, and more financially secure communities. Lenchita’s Restaurant is one of the businesses that has received assistance through both the JEDI Zone Program and the North Valley BusinessSource Center (BSC).

EWDD’s JEDI team was put in contact with Lenchita’s Restaurant owner, Arturo Luna, because he was interested in access to capital for two projects he was working on. Project one was to refinance the building from a variable to a fixed rate ($942K). Project two was to finalize the buildout of the commercial kitchens ($50K). EWDD’s BusinessSource Center partner ICON CDC assisted in packaging and financing both projects, which saved the restaurant by bolstering their cash flow and retaining 17 jobs.

Lenchita’s Kitchen is located in Council District 7, 13612 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331.

Resource Fair for those Impacted by Ongoing Entertainment Strikes

On August 26, 2023, LA County’s Film Office, along with LA City and other regional and local partners, hosted a Resource Fair at the History for Hire Prop House for actors, writers, performers, workers and small businesses impact by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes. At this event, attendees had the opportunity to get help connecting with and signing up for services such as temporary employment, financial assistance, CalFresh, and mental health services.

The EWDD team were in attendance to provide knowledge about the City’s employment and business resources. Attendees showed great interest in starting their own businesses and seeking part-time work, with a particular focus on visiting the WorkSource and BusinessSource Centers for assistance.

EWDD’s WorkSource Centers (WSC) act as employment agencies, providing job-seeking Angelenos with free services such as job training, resume building, employment referrals, and career guidance. Additionally, EWDD’s BusinessSource Centers (BSC) provide startup ventures and current small business owners with various cost-effective tools to make their business a success. Services and programs provided through the BSCs include access to capital, one-on-one consulting, training workshops, and assisting employers with job retention.

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If you have any questions, comments, or wish to have a contribution considered for inclusion in an upcoming EWDD Updates, please contact EWDD's Comms Team at ewddcomms@lacity.org.