Los Angles
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to expand the "Shop Local LA County" initiative, designed to support small businesses during the holiday season and year-round.
The program, proposed by Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, particularly targets businesses facing challenges from wildfires, tariffs, immigration enforcement, the federal government shutdown, and other economic pressures.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, providing jobs, supporting families, and bringing character to the neighborhoods we call home," Solis said. "This holiday season is a crucial moment for residents to come together and support our local economy."
Small businesses in the county have struggled in recent years. Immigration enforcement has reduced customer traffic, disrupted workforces, and lowered revenue. Tariffs on imported goods have increased costs, while the federal government shutdown and delayed CalFresh payments have affected restaurants and grocery stores relying on EBT transactions.
"This initiative is not simply a holiday campaign, it's an equity-based strategy to strengthen the local economy and connection between residents and their local businesses year-round," Mitchell said.
Launched in 2023 to help businesses recover from the pandemic, the initiative initially focused on Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles. It expanded in July 2025 to assist wildfire-affected businesses. More than 3,400 small businesses applied to the Small Business Resiliency Fund when it was open from Sept. 29 to Oct. 31.
Under the expanded program, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity will expand the Shop Local business registry to include all county-based small businesses. The department will run a social media campaign, work with chambers of commerce and business support organizations to organize small business markets in each Supervisorial District in 2026, and promote a "Locally Owned" label for county-made products.
Progress reports will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors within 180 and 365 days.
Edited by SMDP Staff