Delivering Recovery Where It Matters Most
The recent wildfires have left deep scars across Los Angeles County—on our neighborhoods, our local businesses, and the people who pour their lives into them. For many small business owners and community organizations, these fires did not simply threaten livelihoods; they disrupted stability, hope, and a sense of security built over years.
In response, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) is honored to share that every dollar of the $1.2 million in fire recovery funding received was directed back into the community in the form of direct grant aid, reaching 220 small businesses and microenterprises, as well as four nonprofit organizations. Our focus throughout this effort was to ensure that resources moved fully and effectively to those most impacted, providing meaningful relief during a period of profound uncertainty.
This effort would not have been possible without the extraordinary compassion and leadership of our funding partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to FireAid, Anthem Blue Cross, and Wells Fargo for stepping forward when our communities needed it most. Their generosity ensured that support reached businesses and organizations working to recover and rebuild, and reinforced that they were not facing this crisis alone.
I also want to recognize the LAEDC staff who worked with urgency, empathy, and resolve to stand up this recovery initiative in an incredibly short period of time. In particular, I want to acknowledge our finance team, whose dedication went above and beyond. Although our offices were officially closed during the final week of the year, this team continued working throughout the holiday break to resolve issues and ensure payments were issued. Their commitment reflects a deep understanding that for businesses in crisis, every day matters.
As climate-driven disasters and other emergencies increasingly affect our region, the need for a coordinated economic response has never been greater. Beyond deploying capital, LAEDC provides direct technical assistance that supports small businesses across their full lifecycle—helping them launch, grow, remain rooted in their communities, and navigate moments of crisis. Serving as a trusted, consistent resource for businesses is made possible by sustained investment in the infrastructure, staff, and systems that allow this support to remain available when it is needed most.
Today, that capacity is at risk. Several funding sources that have historically supported countywide business technical assistance are ending or have been redirected, creating gaps in service across Los Angeles County. We invite partners and funders to work with LAEDC to help maintain this essential capacity, ensuring businesses are supported not only during emergencies, but over the long term.
Recovery does not happen overnight. It requires sustained partnership, shared responsibility, and a commitment to staying anchored in the needs of our region long after the headlines fade. LAEDC remains committed to driving inclusive economic growth by convening partners and advancing solutions that strengthen resilience and promote shared prosperity across the Los Angeles Region.
Get Involved
LAEDC’s ability to support small businesses and communities across Los Angeles County depends on strong partnerships. If you are interested in being part of this work—supporting small business recovery, resilience, and inclusive economic growth—we invite you to learn more and connect with us.
Click here: PARTNER WITH LAEDC
For additional context on the Fire Recovery Fund disbursement and our broader recovery efforts, you can read our previously issued letter here:
• LAEDC – Wildfires Grant Letter to Recipients
• Bank of America – Resolution of Bank Processing Delay
Thank you for standing with us, and with the small businesses and communities that make Los Angeles what it is.
Stephen Cheung
CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
