Resources for Businesses Affected by the 2025 California Wildfires
While the recent wildfires that ravaged large parts of California’s Los Angeles (LA) and San Diego counties have, for the most part, been brought under control, the damage done to local businesses has been devastating. Thankfully, state and federal agencies, local and national businesses, as well as local non-profit organizations have all banded together to provide immense support to business owners.
If your business suffered property damage, loss of revenue, or outright displacement, there may be resources available to help you regain your footing.
First steps for businesses affected by wildfires
As a small business owner of an LLC or corporation, protecting your employees and rebuilding your stream of revenue will be critical for recovery during this time. But finding the resources provided can be a major burden while also dealing with the impacts of the wildfires on your life outside of work.
California’s Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) has compiled a list of recovery resources for California businesses through its Together For LA initiative. These resources include grant and loan programs, as well as first steps for those reeling from the economic and social impacts of the wildfires. To further help you rebuild your business, here are some more resources to check out as you get started.
Locate a nearby recovery center
Business recovery centers are local facilities, typically government offices, that have been staffed with disaster recovery professionals who can guide you through the options available to you. For business owners looking for resources after the LA wildfires, you can find recovery centers throughout Los Angeles County. They’ll be able to provide information on financial assistance, recovery initiatives, and workforce solutions.
If you’re local to the county, here are a few locations to have in mind:
|
Facility |
Location |
Hours of operation |
|---|---|---|
|
West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce – SBA Business Center for Emergency Loan application assistance |
8272 Santa Monica Blvd. |
Thursday – Saturday, 9 am to 5:30 pm |
|
New Economics for Women | Women’s Business Center* |
18700 Sherman Way, Suite # 112 |
Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm |
|
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce |
2525 Main Street, Suite #103 |
Monday – Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm |
Make sure to check for updated resources and locations on California’s official website.
*The New Economics for Women business center does not offer these resources in-house with their regular offerings, but SBA representatives are there during the hours listed to assist business owners during this time.
Contact the LAEDC Business Assistance team
The LAEDC Business Assistance team, LA county’s response to rising unemployment rates, is made up of experts who can provide free and confidential consultation to help business owners overcome a number of business challenges. Business owners can receive advice from this non-profit agency on how to recover from the recent disaster, avoid layoffs, and preserve jobs. To date, this team has been able to save or create over 250,000 jobs.
You can contact the Business Assistance team through their online request form, or they can be reached at (213) 622-4300. The LAEDC also has a guide to planning for business operations after natural disasters that provides incremental steps business owners can take to maintain crucial business infrastructure.
Access help through the LA Disaster Relief Navigator
Imagine LA and Better Angels LA, two social organizations committed to solving homelessness and aiding families exiting homelessness in LA County, have partnered together to power an online tool to help LA residents and businesses locate and access assistance, provide insurance claim guidance, as well as connect them with housing solutions.
Together they have built the LA Disaster Relief Navigator. The relief navigator will collect information on how you were affected, whether you need business or individual assistance, and connect you with relevant programs and funds.
Attend online webinars for updates
Since January 15th, 2025 the Economic & Workforce Development Department of LA has hosted weekly webinars to provide updates to Community Business Organizations. These webinars exist to keep assistance providers and agencies in the know about resources available to support businesses impacted by the wildfires.
At least two webinars are still upcoming as of the date of this post, taking place on February 19th and February 26th, 2025, at 12:00 PM PST. However, the Small Business Support and Recovery Resource page on the LAEDC website is being updated regularly as more resources, and more weekly webinar dates, become available.
Share or borrow business space
Local businesses, including nonprofits, who have been displaced by the wildfires can take advantage of temporary space provided by other businesses in LA county. The Business to Business Space Share exchange portal, hosted by LA County’s Department of Economic Opportunity, is an online space created to facilitate the connection between businesses with room to spare and those in need.
Lawyers who need to meet with clients, cosmetologists without a location to practice their craft, and medical providers detached from patients who need them may be able to find a temporary home through this portal.
Northwest has long been committed to supporting businesses through every era they go through. With a variety of free legal forms and templates available, guides for contacting the Secretary of State in your area, as well as a team of experts who can connect you with other resources, we’re doing our best to lift up every entrepreneur out there. You can sign up for a free account today and start managing your business all in one place.
Financial Assistance for California Businesses
Businesses affected by wildfires in California who are in need of immediate financial assistance may be able to find relief through one of several funds and grant programs established recently. Through an outpouring of support from local and national businesses and agencies, as well as individual donors, several programs have been launched to aid businesses of all sizes.
Whether you’ve lost revenue needed to pay employees, or you’re an independent entrepreneur without the means to pay your own bills while business is interrupted, there’s likely some financial aid available for you.
How to apply for CA wildfire funds
To simplify and speed up your search during this difficult time, here are some of the top options to explore when looking for financial assistance for your California business:
|
Program |
Who it’s for |
How to apply |
|---|---|---|
|
Hello Alice x Doordash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund |
Restaurants located and registered in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, who have lost revenue as a direct result of a natural disaster. |
|
|
LA Region Small Business Relief Fund |
Small businesses and nonprofits with up to $6 million in revenue and less than 100 employees suffering from the aftereffects of the wildfires. |
|
|
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans |
Businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners, renters. These low-interest loans include amenities like deferred first payments and 12-month 0% interest periods. |
|
|
TMC Community Capital Small Business Strong LA Wildfire Relief Fund |
Entrepreneurs, self-employed workers, and micro-businesses without benefits like paid time off and insurance to rely on, or those that fall outside the scope of federal assistance. |
There is another program we wanted to mention even though it is closed at the moment. The Open Air Worker Emergency Fund helps outdoor workers, such as street vendors and landscapers, who have been impacted by the LA wildfires. Donations are still being accepted, however, so this fund may open up again. You can stay up to date by checking out Inclusive Actions’ worker aid page.
More programs may launch after the date of this post, so make sure to check the Together For LA webpage regularly.
Asking for help as a business owner
While being self-sufficient is a wonderful thing, there also comes a time when even the most independent need to ask for help. In the wake of the California wildfires, make sure that you as a business owner are accepting the helping hands that want nothing more than to lift you back onto your feet. And, once you’re in a position to support others, make sure to pay your blessings forward by helping other businesses that are recovering alongside you.
