Wave Staff Report
EAST LOS ANGELES — County Supervisor Hilda Solis presented mock checks Oct. 29 to small business owners whose businesses were impacted by the May 22 East Los Angeles oil spill and the June 17 Lineage warehouse fire.
The grants are part of the Small Business Recovery Grant program, launched with First District funding to help affected businesses recover from financial losses.
“Small businesses have faced significant financial losses and disruptions following the Lineage warehouse fire and the East Los Angeles oil spill,” Solis said. “I committed approximately $725,000 in First District funding to launch this program because these businesses should not have to bear the financial burden of these emergencies alone.
“These grants will help business owners keep their doors open, retain employees and protect the livelihoods they have worked hard to build,” Solis added. “This investment addresses the economic harm caused by these environmental emergencies and helps protect the generational wealth these businesses have worked hard to build.”
Businesses presented with mock checks Oct. 29 were Juan Canil Autobody Shop, Jim’s Burger, La Indiana Tamales, Dollar & Up, the New Look Barber Shop, OEM Auto Paint Supplies and Booth Rentals, La Azteca Panadería and A&N Engine Rebuild.
Following the program’s launch on Sept. 17, and the close of the application period on Oct. 9, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and its grant administration partner, AidKit, completed the application review and eligibility determination process. A total of 71 eligible businesses were approved for funding, with award notifications beginning Oct. 22. The county is preparing to distribute the grants to support businesses as they recover.
The oil leak was caused by a construction crew laying out a fiber optic line near the intersection of Cesar Chavez and Eastern avenues. The spill released crude oil from an underground pipeline, prompting immediate emergency response and road closures after oil seeped into the ground and entered nearby storm drain systems.
Road closures and reduced foot traffic near the spill site caused significant losses for several small businesses, with some estimating up to $10,000 in daily losses and others warning they may struggle to meet rent obligations.
The Lineage warehouse fire broke out June 17 and raged for eight days, sending a massive amount of smoke into the atmosphere and prompting warnings for nearby residents to stay inside. The city, county and state all issued local emergency declarations in the days following the fire.
The warehouse contained 85 million pounds of frozen food that rotted during the cleanup process, which resulted in noxious odors, vermin, flies and rodents.
“While the emergency response has concluded, our responsibility to this community continues,” Solis said in July. “As cleanup and remediation move forward, I remain focused on protecting public health, supporting residents and small businesses, and ensuring accountability for those responsible.”
