LA County closes grant program, gives out $23.4 million in relief to businesses affected by wildfires

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced on Monday, Dec. 15 that it had closed its grant program for small businesses and workers sustaining financial impacts from the Palisades and Eaton fires in January.

All together, the DEO gave out $23.4 million in relief, including about $17.7 million to 2,181 small businesses and nonprofits as well as $5.7 million to 2,892 workers who lost jobs and wages due to the fires. Small business owners received up to $25,000 and workers were all given $2,000, the county reported.

“Fire survivors deserve nothing less than a full and fair recovery, and these funds reflect Los Angeles County’s commitment to just that,” said Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who authored the motion to create both the small business and worker relief funds. Horvath represents the unincorporated areas that burned in the Palisades fire, namely Sunset Mesa and Topanga.

The funds came from government, private donors and philanthropic organizations. The latter included Annenberg Foundation, Hilton Foundation, Kayne Foundation, Fire Aid and Prologis. Corporate contributors included Wells Fargo and Google. Also, the Governors’ LA Rises (led by Mark Walter, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Casey Wasserman) contributed to the funds.

“Closing this fund with every eligible applicant served is a testament to what we can accomplish when government, philanthropy, and community partners collaborate to meet urgent needs,” said Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, hard hit by the Eaton fire.

Anya Schodorf, owner of the women-owned Cafe De Leche coffee shop that was at 2477 N. Lake Ave. in Altadena, said the money will help her rebuild the popular spot. “We (had) immediate access to the funds that are going to help us,” she said. “We will definitely be stronger when we come back — and it’s going to be beautiful.”

In a video testimonial, Schodorf walked the burned out lot, noticing some of her plants were coming back to life. She reflected on the people she served and the unique garden sitting area in the back of the shop, often serving as a gathering spot for Altadena residents.

“The people getting coffee or tea, they’d go to the back and you recognized some people; sometimes they knew your name,” she said. “It was like there was a party there every day.”

The twin fires destroyed or damaged 1,907 brick-and-mortar businesses and disrupted 39,000 businesses employing 230,000 workers, and generating billions in monthly wages, the county DEO reported.

In the destroyed Palisades Village, Patrick Hildebrand was helped after the business he worked at, The Amazing Music Store, burned down. He worked there giving music lessons to children at the store started by his father, Patrick Hildebrand, Sr.

The younger Hildebrand, who goes by PJ, received a worker relief grant after he found the program on the internet and applied, the county reported. “My income had been cut to almost nothing, but my bills didn’t stop. These grants are what’s keeping me afloat,” he told the county DEO.

“We’ve had kids of all ages learn how to play music,” he said in a video testimonial. As he walked through the ruins of the store, he said: “This is hard to look at. It is all gone. I really hope we can come back and continue doing business here,” he added.

The father and son continue to offer music lessons via Zoom and are available for in-person instruction, according to the store’s website. To schedule a lesson, dial 310-365-2737 or 310-600-9048.

To find out more information about county resources for businesses, go to DEO’s wildfire recovery hub at: bit.ly/DEOWildfireResponse.