How to receive a grant for sidewalk vendors from LA County

The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) of Los Angeles County announced that they have awarded the first round of awardees of the Small Business Mobility Fund (SBMF) Formalization Grants for sidewalk vendors. 

The grants are designed to help sidewalk vendors operating in the unincorporated areas of the County comply with permitting and regulatory requirements under LA County’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance and participate in the region’s open-air economy.

According to DEO, 21 vendors received nearly $100,000, a diverse mix of food and merchandise vendors operating in unincorporated areas of LA County. The grant amounts for each range from $500 to $5,000 to help cover critical costs such as permitting fees, food manager or handler certification, commissary space and compliant vending carts.

“Our sidewalk vendors are entrepreneurs, job creators, and community builders,” said Kelly LoBianco, director of the Department of Economic Opportunity.

The grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and are a key capital access component of DEO’s broader Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI). 

Sidewalk vendors operating in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and who started their business before March 2023 may qualify for a grant. 

Applications are ongoing and will remain open based on funding availability. For more information on eligibility and to apply now, visit: bit.ly/SmallBusinessMobilityFund.