Los Angeles County Second District Business Interruption Fund

The Second District Business Interruption Fund (BIF) is a grant program funded by LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and administered by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). The program provides grants of up to $10,000 to support businesses in the Second District that experienced significant disruptions between October 7, 2023, and October 7, 2024. These interruptions could be due to events such as natural disasters, construction projects, civil unrest, or other qualifying incidents. The fund aims to help small businesses recover from financial setbacks caused by external factors that disrupted their operations. The primary objective of the BIF is to assist businesses in overcoming interruptions that have negatively impacted their revenue. Businesses that qualify must be storefronts (not home-based) within the Second District and must demonstrate a significant impact, such as a 10% decrease in gross revenue during the qualifying period or a single, short-term event that caused substantial business losses. The goal is to ensure these businesses can sustain their operations despite experiencing uncontrollable and significant disruptions in the last year. To qualify for the BIF, businesses must meet several key criteria. They must be located within the Second District and have annual revenue of $1.5 million or less, as shown by their 2023 tax return. They must also provide evidence of experiencing at least one business interruption event, such as a natural disaster, labor dispute, or major crime event. Importantly, businesses already insured for these losses are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must be commercial, brick-and-mortar establishments registered to operate legally in California before January 1, 2024, and in good standing with all taxing and licensing authorities. Applications for the BIF are now open, with options to apply online or by submitting a printed application via email. Those needing assistance can attend in-person workshops at the Center for Sustainable Communities in Compton, held on select dates in October 2024. Applicants are encouraged to gather supporting evidence, such as photos, police reports, or news articles, to demonstrate the impact of their business interruption. Applications will be reviewed and scored based on the eligibility criteria, and priority may be given to businesses in high-need areas as determined by the County’s Equity Explorer Mapping Tool. The deadline for submitting applications is not explicitly stated, but businesses are encouraged to apply promptly due to the limited funding available. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee a grant, as the selection process is competitive. Businesses can also sign up for updates on the program or seek further assistance through the DEO’s Office of Small Business, which offers counseling and other resources for small business owners. For additional guidance, interested applicants can access application materials and FAQs in both English and Spanish or contact Bryan Miyamoto for further assistance with the application process.