LA County Grants Aid West Hollywood Businesses After Water

Los Angeles County announced a targeted grant program on September 17, 2026, to aid small businesses recovering from a major water main break. Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath secured discretionary funding for the initiative, which will be administered by the County's Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).

The program offers direct financial assistance to businesses within a designated impact area near Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The area was affected by a break in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) system on July 16, 2026, which caused flooding and significant business disruptions.

Program Rationale and Official Statements

Supervisor Horvath stated that small businesses should not bear the financial burden of an emergency they did not cause. "The LADWP water main break flooded businesses, shuttered storefronts, and disrupted daily life in West Hollywood," Horvath said. The supervisor emphasized the county's commitment to supporting businesses as they reopen, noting that the entire community feels the impact when local businesses suffer.

Kelly LoBianco, Director of the DEO, highlighted the severe financial impacts infrastructure emergencies can have on small businesses. Such events interrupt their ability to operate, serve customers, and maintain normal activity. LoBianco said the targeted response aims to connect the most directly affected businesses with recovery resources.

Grant Administration and Eligibility

The DEO's Office of Small Business will handle direct outreach and support for the application process. Southern California Grantmakers will act as the program's fiscal sponsor, while the company AidKit will manage grant administration and payment processing.

Eligibility for the recovery grants is strictly limited. The program is only for businesses identified through official canvassing and outreach within the designated commercial impact zone. Businesses outside this specific area are not eligible for funding through this initiative.

Identified businesses will be contacted directly by program administrators. They will then need to complete an intake and verification process before any grant funds are distributed.

How to Find More Information

The county has established a dedicated webpage for the program. Business owners seeking additional information about the Small Business Recovery Grant can visit opportunity.lacounty.gov/sbrgwatermainbreak. The Department of Economic Opportunity also maintains social media channels under the handle @EconOppLA.