Welcome to South El Monte, CA | | |
South El Monte continues to strengthen its position as a hub for manufacturing, innovation, and business investment. Home to a diverse maker economy and strategically located with exceptional regional freeway access, the city offers an environment where manufacturers, retailers, and entrepreneurs can grow and thrive.
As revitalization opportunities emerge along our key business corridors, South El Monte remains committed to fostering sustainable economic development and attracting the next generation of businesses.
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David De Vries, MBA, AICP
Director of Economic Development
Email: ddevries@soelmonte.org
Phone: (951) 740 - 9955
| | | "South El Monte continues to build momentum with a diverse mix of retail, restaurant, residential, and industrial projects that are bringing new investment, creating jobs, and expanding opportunities throughout our community. From nationally recognized brands to locally owned businesses, these developments reflect our commitment to making South El Monte a premier destination to live, work, and play. Come talk to our team about our low fees, expedited permitting, and tax incentives." | |
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Gerardo Marquez
Director of Community Development & Public Works
Email: gmarquez@soelmonte.org
Phone:
(626) 579-6540
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🏭 Business Investment
Supports new commercial development via Capital Gains Tax Relief
🏢 Redevelopment
Encourages rehabilitation of vacant and underutilized properties.
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💼 Job Creation
Promotes advanced manufacturing and business expansion.
🚉 Infrastructure
Supports transit-oriented development and public improvements.
| | SOUTH EL MONTE'S OPPORTUNITY | | These nominated areas position South El Monte to attract significant private investment while supporting the City's long-term vision for economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and quality employment opportunities. | | |
South El Monte has an incredible opportunity to strengthen its economic future. The California Department of Finance is accepting public comments on the State's draft Opportunity Zone 2.0 nominations. Strong community support will help demonstrate why South El Monte deserves designation for the next generation of this federal investment incentive.
Opportunity Zone 2.0 encourages long-term private investment that can help bring new businesses, quality jobs, industrial modernization, mixed-use development, infrastructure improvements, and community revitalization to our city.
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Help Support Today
Public Comment Period Open Through August 28, 2026
ENTER SOUTH EL MONTE INTO THE SEARCH BAR TO SUPPORT EACH OF THE FOUR NOMINATED CENSUS TRACTS.
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Every letter submitted helps demonstrate community support for South El Monte's Opportunity Zone nominations.
Whether you're a:
- Business Owner
- Property Owner
- Developer
- Investor
- Resident
- Community Organization
...your support can make a difference!
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0.54 ACRE Freeway Adjacent Retail Opportunity Parcel
For more information and additional opportunity sites, please visit EDSEM.org or use the link below
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FEATURED BIZ:
PAKO'S BAR & GRILL
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ABOUT PAKO'S
When Francisco Figueroa and his family acquired Pako's Bar & Grill located at 10300 Rush St, South El Monte, CA in 2026, they weren't just purchasing a restaurant, they were fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Pako's has been transformed into a welcoming Mexican-American fusion restaurant serving authentic Mexican cuisine, handcrafted drinks, and a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone feels at home bringing family flavor and community together in South El Monte.
The restaurant is also a heartfelt tribute to Francisco's father, who passed away in 2023. Every meal served honors his legacy while creating new memories for families throughout South El Monte.
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OWNER SPOTLIGHT
"Owning a restaurant and bar has always been my dream. Today, we're proud to share that dream with our community every single day."
— Francisco Figueroa, Owner
| | | The Figueroa family says the support from local residents has been incredible and has played a major role in the restaurant's success. | | |
WHY SOUTH EL MONTE?
"My wife and I live in South El Monte and we absolutely love this community. We wanted to create another place where families and friends could gather to enjoy great food, drinks, and watch their favorite teams."
— Francisco Figueroa, Owner
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MORE THAN JUST A RESTAURANT
What truly sets Pako's apart is its commitment to making every guest feel like family.
From birthdays and graduations to family celebrations, Pako's offers special event packages and strives to create memorable experiences for every occasion.
Their employees are the heart of the business, creating the welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers coming back.
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GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Pako's proudly supports South El Monte through:
- Community Fundraisers
- Military Discounts
- First Responder Discounts
- Educator Discounts
- Local Youth Sports & Community Organizations
The restaurant welcomes opportunities to partner with AYSO teams, baseball leagues, schools, and other local organizations.
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LOOKING AHEAD!
Exciting things are on the horizon!
- Outdoor patio improvements
- New brunch menu
- New signature dishes
- An even better dining experience
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Advice for Future Business Owners
"Go for it. Do it. Don't let anything or anyone stop you. If you need help, you can always count on us to share our experience and support."
Francisco Figueroa, Owner
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SAN DIEGO, CA
San Diego Convention Center
September 14 - 16, 2026
The City of South El Monte's Economic Development staff will attend the upcoming ICSC Western Conference 2026, a premier regional event hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
The conference brings together developers, retailers, brokers, investors, and other industry leaders to explore emerging trends, build strategic partnerships, and create new opportunities within the commercial real estate and retail sectors. Staff participation will provide valuable networking opportunities, strengthen relationships with potential business and development partners including restaurants, and support the City's ongoing efforts to attract investment and promote economic growth in South El Monte. To book your meeting with the South El Monte Economic Development team, contact:
David De Vries, MBA, AICP
Director of Economic Development
Email: ddevries@soelmonte.org
Phone: (951) 740 - 9955
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Claim Your Google Business Profile
Why it matters:
When customers search for a product or service "near me," Google Business Profiles are often the first thing they see.
This Month's Tip:
If you haven't claimed your free Google Business Profile, you're missing one of the easiest ways to attract local customers.
Take 15 minutes this week to:
- Verify your business information
- Add your business website, email and phone number
- Add current business hours
- Upload 5–10 high-quality photos
- Respond to recent customer reviews
- Post an update about a sale, new product, or upcoming event
Businesses with complete profiles are more likely to appear in local search results and on Google Maps.
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MUST READ ARTICLE
From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune:
The Federal Reserve, led by newly appointed Chair Kevin Warsh, is currently navigating a period of economic uncertainty. Despite cooling trends in June CPI reports, the Fed chose to hold interest rates steady at 3.50%–3.75% during their July meeting.
Key takeaways:
Persistent Inflation: While inflation has shown some cooling, it remains well above the Fed's 2% target, largely driven by energy price volatility tied to international conflicts.
"Tough Talk" Strategy: Unlike previous chairs who provided detailed "forward guidance," Chair Warsh is emphasizing a strategy of "tough talk", signaling a strong commitment to price stability to keep inflation expectations anchored without necessarily resorting to immediate, aggressive rate hikes.
Future Outlook: There is an ongoing tug-of-war between the Fed’s desire to maintain independence and pressure to adjust rates in response to shifting data. Investors are currently weighing the possibility of a rate hike as soon as the September meeting if inflation metrics fail to show continued progress.
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Seeking funding for your startup or business expansion?
If you're a South El Monte resident or business owner looking for funding opportunities, contact the Economic Development Dept. to learn how your project can be featured and shared with our network of funding partners.
Interested in being featured? Email: info@EDSEM.org
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- Prepare to request more funding.
- Choose your funding source.
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SEEKING INVESTORS:
BEA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
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For over a century, the physics of wheeled transportation have come with an unspoken set of compromises. Cars need space to parallel park, warehouse forklifts require wide turning lanes to navigate racking systems, and most traditional wheelchairs move strictly along linear, forward-backward axes.
Enter BEA Technologies, a pioneering innovator pushing past these historic limitations with a revolutionary "magic carpet/UFO" surface transportation technology. By introducing true 360-degree omnidirectional movement to ground-level transit, BEA is actively seeking funding to scale production. The implications of this capital extend far beyond a clever novelty—they promise to unlock entirely new markets, optimize logistics, and radically alter accessibility across a multitude of industries. With a culture driven by curiosity, creativity, and engineering excellence, BEA Technologies continues to demonstrate that South El Monte is home to businesses shaping the future of advanced technology.
Unlike traditional mechanisms that rely on steering angles to redirect momentum, BEA’s omnidirectional platform allows vehicles to glide seamlessly in any direction—sideways, diagonally, or spinning completely on their axis—with the smooth, frictionless feel.
Having moved through rigorous prototyping and testing phases for their lineup (including the Omni-Chair, Omni-Kart, and industrial-grade platforms), the company is positioning itself for mass production. Securing funding now means transitioning this concept into an everyday commercial reality.
To truly understand the disruptive potential of BEA’s technology, you have to look at how it solves physical constraints in everyday scenarios:
- Healthcare and Personal Independence: Imagine a wheelchair user effortlessly dancing in any direction—gliding backward, pivoting sideways, and executing tight 360-degree rotations in cramped living spaces without ever needing to shunt back and forth.
- Entertainment and Public Events: Picture a massive parade float smoothly executing a crisp 90-degree turn to say hi in the middle of a crowd on either side. In theme parks and stage productions, dynamic platforms can choreograph intricate, synchronized movements that were previously physically impossible.
- Warehousing and Industrial Logistics: Consider a heavy-duty industrial forklift capable of turning a full 180 degrees entirely on the spot, with zero forward or backward repositioning required.
The journey from a garage-built concept to an industry-standard manufacturing ecosystem requires strategic capital. For investors and industry leaders, backing BEA Technologies is more than an investment in a novel transit device—it is an opportunity to ground-floor a fundamental shift in surface mobility.
For more information, please contact Steven Dang, President and CEO, BEA Technologies Inc., at info@beatechnologies.com.
If you are a resident or business owner in South El Monte seeking funding for your startup, please contact the South El Monte Economic Development Department at EDSEM.org about being featured for your funding request.
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Reduce Your Risk, Protect Your Future - SBA Mitigation Information Session
AUGUST 26, 2026
6 PM - 7 PM
REGISTER HERE
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CLAUDE 101 - The Foundation Every Business Owner Needs
AUGUST 26, 2026
10 AM - 11:30 AM
REGISTER HERE
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NAVIGATING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
REGISTER HERE
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Protect Your Property with a Trespass Arrest Authorization
South El Monte business and commercial property owners can take a proactive step toward keeping their properties safe through the Letter of Agency (Trespass Arrest Authorization) Program, offered in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Temple Station.
A Letter of Agency authorizes Sheriff’s deputies to act on a property owner’s behalf when the owner is not present, allowing deputies to investigate unauthorized activity and take appropriate enforcement action for trespassing and related violations. Authorizations are generally valid for up to 12 months, and property owners are encouraged to renew annually to avoid gaps in enforcement.
Properly posted signage is also essential and should clearly identify applicable trespassing and property restrictions. No notarization is required to submit a Letter of Agency.
Business and property owners are encouraged to take advantage of this resource to help deter trespassing, loitering, unauthorized parking, and other unwanted activity on their property.
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South El Monte is a premier industrial and employment hub, uniquely positioned at the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. Whether you are looking to start, expand, or relocate, our city offers unparalleled freeway access and competitive tax incentives like our Opportunity Zones and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ 50) programs. We also have proactive City Council and staff who are committed to your success.
Join us in building the future of our "maker" economy, explore our latest investment opportunities, attend our upcoming Business Workshop Series, or reach out directly for personalized support.
Contact us today for assistance!
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City of South El Monte
Office of Economic Development
EDSEM.org
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