The Legacy Business Recovery Grant Program is an initiative by the City of Los Angeles to provide financial relief to Legacy Businesses recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the program offers grants of up to $20,000 for eligible businesses registered in the City’s Legacy Business Registry. This grant is part of the city's broader efforts to preserve and support longstanding small businesses vital to the cultural and economic fabric of Los Angeles.
Eligible applicants can receive $10,000 if they have one to five employees and $20,000 if they have six or more employees. All businesses must be operating from a commercial, industrial, or manufacturing location and must not be home-based. Applicants must also have a valid commercial lease, be located within the City of Los Angeles, have annual revenues under $3 million, and be in good standing with the Secretary of State (if applicable). An active Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) with the City of Los Angeles is required.
The program prioritizes funding for businesses located in or owned by individuals from low- and moderate-income communities, as well as those facing imminent threat of displacement. A weighted selection process is used to ensure geographic and demographic equity. In cases where the number of eligible applicants exceeds available funding, a randomized selection system will be applied.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025. Applicants must provide 2021 and 2022 tax returns, recent business bank statements, proof of employee count (if applicable), identification, and documentation on displacement risk. A completed application must also explain the intended use of funds toward COVID-19 recovery expenses such as payroll, rent, insurance, reopening costs, adaptive technology, or legal fees for lease negotiation.
Grant recipients must enter into a formal agreement with the City and submit a W-9, a voided business check, and compliance certification. Funded businesses are required to maintain expenditure records for at least three years and may be subject to audit or reporting requests. Applicants can contact their local BusinessSource Center or email legacybusiness@lacity.org for technical assistance or further guidance.
Apply early. Applications will be randomly selected if demand exceeds funding. Maintain records for 3 years and respond quickly when contacted for funding documents.
