Google Continues Wildfire Recovery Efforts with $4.5M to Help LA SMBs

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Google announced more than $4.5 million in funding to the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and TMC Community Capital to support both organization’s efforts to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) who are facing significant challenges after the Palisades and Eaton fires. The funding announced today is part of the $15 million commitment made by Google and YouTube with support from Google.org. 

The announcement was made during the “Rebuild LA: Small Business Tech Fair” hosted by the three organizations to empower SMBs with the skills, technology, and Google AI tools to reconnect with customers, modernize operations, and build resilience against future challenges. More than 120 impacted small businesses were in attendance and heard directly from Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove who joined a panel on SMB policy solutions and strategies for navigating economic challenges and fostering sustainable growth. 

“We need all hands on deck as we continue to recover from this year’s wildfires," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. "Collaborations like this are crucial to ensuring our businesses not only have the support they need to recover, but to also become more resilient to future disasters. I'm grateful to Google for this investment in our Greater LA community and for its continuous support during LA’s recovery, and to LA County DEO and TMC Community Capital for putting this funding to good use.”

The SMBs also participated in hands-on workshops to learn how to promote their products online and learned how to make their businesses more efficient through Google AI, as well as how to prepare for, recover from, and build resilience in the face of natural disasters and economic uncertainty with guidance from TMC Community Capital. 

“The Palisades and Eaton wildfires devastated countless small businesses, and recovery remains an uphill climb for many,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director, LA County Department of Economic Opportunity. “This support from Google enables us to expand our support for impacted small businesses by providing the capital, training, and technology they need to rebuild and strengthen their resilience for the future. DEO will continue to be on the ground with our small business community, helping them navigate recovery, spark innovation, and keep serving their neighbors and the communities they call home.” 

"When disaster strikes, small business owners lose stability, security, and sometimes the very foundation they’ve built their lives on,” said Daniel Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer of TMC Community Capital. “Our role is to make sure they’re never left to recover alone, and that they have the tools, capital, and community to come back stronger. We’re creating a model for how public, private, and community organizations can work in lockstep to prepare entrepreneurs for whatever comes next. That’s why this collaboration with Google and LA County DEO is so powerful."

As part of Google’s broader crisis response work to help people and communities be prepared, safe, and resilient, Google has sustained their commitment to Los Angeles wildfire recovery. In January, Google worked closely with local authorities to provide real-time information and resources through its products and services, and over the last nine months, the company has provided critical support to students and teachers, and just last week, the creative industry. The funding announced today will go to Los Angeles County DEO’s Los Angeles Region Small Business Fund, and the contribution to TMC Community Capital will go towards their loan forgiveness program targeting SMBs impacted by the fires.

"When a crisis hits, the ability to reconnect with customers and adapt quickly is essential for a small business to survive,” said Adam Stewart, Google Vice President of Sales and Los Angeles Area Office Leader. “Our goal is to equip Los Angeles entrepreneurs with support, AI tools, and digital skills that can make a real difference right now, while also helping them build for the future. We're honored to work alongside LA County DEO and TMC Community Capital to support the businesses that make this community so vibrant." 

Recovery will be a long-term effort, and Google and YouTube are dedicated to ensuring the vibrant Los Angeles business community has the critical resources it needs to come back stronger than before and thrive. 

Event visual assets can be found here.