Economic & Workforce Development Department

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Economic & Workforce Development Department Serving small businesses and workers as part of the City's Community Investment Department. WHAT IS EWDD? The two goals are closely connected.

Created in mid-2013, the City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department has two primary missions: leveraging the city’s assets and resources to drive economic growth and creating jobs. A healthy economy creates new jobs. And a well-trained workforce attracts investment. At its best, the interplay creates thriving neighborhoods and a better quality of life for Los Angeles residents. City leaders saw the dissolution of state redevelopment agencies as an opportunity to create a new city-managed entity that would take a coordinated, “under-one-roof” approach to helping businesses get off the ground, expand, build projects and create jobs. At nine BusinessSource Centers located across the city, EWDD helps entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes start ventures, relocate operations, access capital and expand operations. EWDD also stimulates the economy by leveraging a portfolio of city real estate assets, positioning them for developments that create jobs, revitalize struggling communities and build housing near transit lines. Orchestrating a healthy business climate is only half of the equation. EWDD also operates 16 WorkSource Centers where job seekers can receive free one-one-one career counseling and training in growing industries such as health care and green technologies. It also runs 14 YouthSource Centers where youth ages 16 to 24 receive guidance.

Applications are now open for CID’s Business Assistance and Workforce Stabilization Grant! This grant supports businesse...
10/13/2026

Applications are now open for CID’s Business Assistance and Workforce Stabilization Grant!

This grant supports businesses that were impacted by the Boyle Heights Lineage Fire. Eligible businesses located within the City of Los Angeles may apply to receive funding opportunities for marketing assistance and the purchase of equipment.

💰 Funding Opportunities:
↪ Up to $15,000 for Marketing/Outreach, which may include: paid social media advertising, physical printed marketing materials, window displays, billboards, and more.
↪ Up to $30,000 for Equipment, which may include: technology/software upgrades, kitchen equipment, automotive tools, general equipment, and more.

📝 Application Process:
↪ Submit the online application.
↪ Submit the in-person Business Needs Assessment with New Economics for Women (NEW).

👉 To apply, visit boyleheightsbizrecovery.com.

‼️ Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications will close once all available funds have been allocated.

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples Day by celebrating the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous com...
10/12/2026

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples Day by celebrating the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous communities. Let us recognize their resilience and amplify their voices, acknowledging the past and working towards a brighter, more inclusive future.

Calling all business owners! 📢The BusinessSource Centers regularly offer free workshops and webinars designed to assist ...
10/07/2026

Calling all business owners! 📢

The BusinessSource Centers regularly offer free workshops and webinars designed to assist business owners throughout their journey.

Workshop topics and details can be found below:
👉 NEW Business: October 8, 14, 22 & 28
👉 CRCD Procurement: October 13, 15, 20, 27 & 29
👉 NEW Marketing: October 13, 20 & 27
👉 CRCD Capital: October 15 @ 12 PM
👉 NEW Capital: October 15 & 29
👉 CRCD Food Vendor: October 15 @ 4 PM - 5 PM
👉 MCS Financial Foundations: October 21 @ 6 PM - 7 PM

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to advance your business to the next step.

There’s always more to discover on Olvera Street!CID continues to highlight Olvera Street Legacy business. These small L...
10/06/2026

There’s always more to discover on Olvera Street!

CID continues to highlight Olvera Street Legacy business. These small Legacy businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them are the heart of the Olvera Street experience.

Every purchase, meal and visit is an opportunity to experience the culture of Olvera Street while supporting the businesses that keep it vibrant!

Swipe through to meet more of the businesses that make Olvera Street one of a kind.

Today, CID General Manager Abigail Marquez, joined Mayor Karen Bass alongside other City leaders to highlight preparatio...
10/05/2026

Today, CID General Manager Abigail Marquez, joined Mayor Karen Bass alongside other City leaders to highlight preparations ahead of the potentially historic El Niño weather event and to cut the ribbon at the new Los Angeles’ Department of Water & Power, Department Emergency Operations Center.

City officials are urging all Angelenos to prepare now and contact appropriate City departments for services and available resources. CID is working through our network of 19 Multipurpose Senior Centers, 10 BusinessSource Centers, 14 WorkSource Centers, 19 FamilySource Centers, 14 YouthSource Centers, and more than 60 dining sites across Los Angeles to help older adults, workers, youth, families, and business owners prepare for the upcoming El Niño weather event.

For a full list of available resources along with locations to all of our centers visit cid.lacity.gov for more information.

Attention all entrepreneurs and job seekers! 🔔Throughout the month of October, the BusinessSource and WorkSource Centers...
10/01/2026

Attention all entrepreneurs and job seekers! 🔔

Throughout the month of October, the BusinessSource and WorkSource Centers regularly offer free workshops and recruitment events designed to assist entrepreneurs throughout their journey.

Workshop topics and details can be found below:
👉 PACE Retirement Plan: October 7 @ 11 AM
👉 PACE Growth Blueprint: October 13 & 15 @ 10-11 AM
👉 NEW Small Business Mixer: October 14 @ 5:30-8:30 PM
👉 PACE Interest Free Loans: October 28 @ 11 AM

Hiring events can be found below:
👉 Fairway Staffing Event: October 7 @ 9 AM - 1 PM
👉 Light Installers Recruitment: October 8 @ 10 AM
👉 National Disability Employment Awareness Fair: October 16 @ 10 AM -1 PM

Event attendees are reminded to bring any required documents listed on the flyers.

On September 27, CID and Boyle Heights YouthSource Center (YSC) staff celebrated 20 years of empowering Boyle Heights yo...
10/01/2026

On September 27, CID and Boyle Heights YouthSource Center (YSC) staff celebrated 20 years of empowering Boyle Heights youth, and passing the torch to the next legacy.
The Boyle Heights YSC Tech Center celebrated two decades of serving the community with a special past, present and future celebration bringing together former youth participants, current staff and the next generation of Future Stars. Joe Diaz, Community Liaison, was also honored for an incredible 20 years of dedicated service to the YSC.

The milestone celebration brought together current and former staff, youth, and community partners, with the YSC receiving recognition from the Mayor’s Office, Council District 14, State Senate District 26 and Assembly District 54.

In a full circle moment, former participants who went on to become Tech Center staff “passed the torch” to today’s youth, while students and alumni were recognized for their achievements.

‼️UPDATED‼️The City of Los Angeles, in partnership with the Community Investment Department (CID), is launching the Busi...
09/30/2026

‼️UPDATED‼️

The City of Los Angeles, in partnership with the Community Investment Department (CID), is launching the Business Stabilization and Layoff Aversion Grant Program to help eligible businesses address operational disruptions, property damage and workforce reductions.

Eligible businesses may receive:
• Up to $15,000 for marketing and customer outreach
• Up to $30,000 for equipment and/or software to improve or increase business operations

These grants are designed to help stabilize businesses, prevent layoffs and support employee retention as businesses continue their recovery.

For more information, contact CID at [email protected]

Yesterday, CID leadership alongside multiple BusinessSource Centers attended the 2026 Sports & Entertainment Summit, hos...
09/29/2026

Yesterday, CID leadership alongside multiple BusinessSource Centers attended the 2026 Sports & Entertainment Summit, hosted by Mayor Karen Bass.

The day saw nearly 2,000 business owners and entrepreneurs gathered to network, learn about business opportunities, and attend the discussion panels, including a fireside chat led by Mayor Bass and Magic Johnson. Opening remarks were provided by Assistant General Manager, Fred Jackson. Additionally, the first panel featured CID’s Assistant Chief Grants Administrator, Rosa Penaloza, who spoke about resources for business owners.

BSC representatives were on-site to discuss resources and to get businesses “contract ready” for all of the upcoming sporting events coming to the City of LA in the next few years.

If you missed this year’s event, the Sports & Entertainment Summit will return in fall 2027.

Stay tuned!

For generations, the businesses of Olvera Street have helped preserve the traditions, flavors, artistry and entrepreneur...
09/29/2026

For generations, the businesses of Olvera Street have helped preserve the traditions, flavors, artistry and entrepreneurial spirit that make this historic destination such an important part of Los Angeles.

The third Latino Heritage Month spotlight, CID celebrates the Legacy businesses that continue to bring Olvera Street to life. For 20+ years family-run restaurants, cafés, and shops filled with handcrafted goods, clothing and cultural treasures, carry forward traditions while contributing to Los Angeles’ vibrant small business community.

Swipe through to discover some of the businesses that have helped make Olvera Street a place where culture, community and commerce come together. Stay tuned for Part 2 as we continue celebrating Latino Heritage Month and highlighting more of the legacy businesses that call Olvera Street home.

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444 S. Flower Street
Los Angeles, CA
90071

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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