Small businesses in parts of Los Angeles County affected by the Lineage Fire in Boyle Heights or the East L.A. oil spill can now apply for county recovery grants of up to $3,000.
Here's what to know
Applications for the county's Small Business Recovery Grants opened Sept. 17 and close Oct. 1, giving eligible owners a short period to request assistance.
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, only businesses located within county-designated impact zones connected to either incident can apply.
Eligibility also depends on how long the business has operated at the address. Owners must show the business was open there for at least 30 days before the relevant event — before the May 22 oil spill near East Cesar E. Chavez and Eastern, or before the Lineage Fire began on June 17 in Boyle Heights.
Applications are being submitted online through AidKit, the county's grant administrator. Business owners can also use the application portal to review eligibility requirements and confirm whether they fall within the designated impact-area maps before applying.
In East L.A., the oil spill disrupted nearby commercial corridors that depend on regular local traffic and daily customer access.
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In Boyle Heights, the fallout looked different, with nearby residents describing foul odors and health complaints that air quality regulators connected to millions of pounds of decaying food.
What's being done?
Los Angeles County Board Chair and Supervisor Hilda Solis said the county created the grants so small business owners would not have to shoulder the financial consequences of emergencies they did not cause.
The funding comes from First District funds directed toward helping affected commercial areas recover.
Solis said the program is also intended to help owners handle losses, protect jobs, and keep local businesses central to their communities.
The next step is to confirm that the business address falls within a designated impact zone, make sure the operation date meets the 30-day requirement, and submit an application through AidKit before the Oct. 1 deadline.
Solis said: "Small businesses should not be left to absorb the financial damage caused by an emergency they did not create. The Lineage Fire and East Los Angeles oil spill disrupted commerce and put an unfair burden on owners who were simply trying to keep their doors open. That is why I directed First District funds to establish this grant program, so local businesses have the resources they need to weather these disruptions, keep people employed and remain a vital part of our communities."
Where can I learn more?
These stories look at how communities and businesses have navigated the financial fallout of environmental disasters. They cover wildfire recovery donations in Maui, federal aid disputes in Colorado, and insurance and assistance battles across California.
• In Maui, over $60 million in donations helped wildfire-hit businesses and families recover.
• In Colorado, communities faced another setback when federal disaster aid was denied after wildfires and floods.
• In California, Eaton Fire survivors pressed Sacramento for insurance fixes and housing advances as costs mounted.
• In Los Angeles, families devastated by fires filed a lawsuit against insurance giants over claim handling.
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