First Round of Awards Distributed to Sidewalk Vendors Through LA County’s Small Business Mobility Fund Formalization Grants

Grant Awards Range from $500 to $5,000

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the first round of awardees of the Small Business Mobility Fund (SBMF) Formalization Grants, 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.

The first round of grants includes nearly $100,000 for 21 awardees, a diverse mix of food and merchandise vendors operating in unincorporated areas of LA County. These small business owners will receive grants ranging 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. “With the Small Business Mobility Fund Formalization Grants, we are not just providing funding, we are creating opportunity, stability, and a clear path to the formal economy for vendors who have historically operated on the margins.”

Launched in March 2025 with Inclusive Action for the City (IAC), the SBMF Formalization 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). The EMI is designed to promote inclusive economic growth by expanding access to capital, business education, and technical assistance support for the County’s smallest and most underserved businesses.

DEO and IAC have conducted multilingual webinars and in-person workshops across all five Supervisorial Districts to guide vendors through the application process and connect them to wraparound business services. More outreach and technical assistance sessions are planned in the coming months to increase access and ensure eligible vendors have the opportunity to participate.

To ensure successful outcomes and long-term compliance, payments are made directly by IAC to cover various compliance-related costs for awarded vendors.

In addition, SBMF grantees must sign a County-approved agreement committing to complete the formalization process, including securing DEO’s Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC).

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

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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major industries, and communities access life changing opportunities, and is also home to the Office of Small Business, LA County’s one-stop shop dedicated to prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.