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Introduction of the Entertainment Business Interruption Fund

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the County Film Office, in collaboration with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, have announced a new initiative aimed at providing financial relief to small and micro businesses that have been impacted by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented 2023 Hollywood Double Strikes.

Los Angeles County boasts the highest concentration of actors, filmmakers, and entertainment businesses in the state and globally. According to the most recent Otis Report, the entertainment industry in LA County employed over 1 million individuals and generated more than $208 billion in revenue prior to the onset of the devastating Strikes. The strikes, initiated by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in May 2023 and followed by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) in July 2023, brought production to a standstill, lasting until November 2023 and marking the longest entertainment-related strikes in history.

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With the complexity of legal jargon and eligibility criteria outlined in the grant program, the AI legalese decoder can assist small and micro businesses in navigating the application process. By inputting the grant requirements and conditions into the AI tool, businesses can easily decipher the legal language and ensure that they meet all the necessary qualifications for funding.

Overview of the Entertainment Business Interruption Fund

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Entertainment Business Interruption Fund (BIF) will offer grants of $10,000 or $25,000 to eligible small and micro businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and derive at least 70% of their revenue from the entertainment industry in LA County. To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit entities with an annual gross revenue of $3 million or less and must demonstrate economic hardships resulting from the pandemic since March 2020.

The application deadline for the BIF program is May 24, 2024, at 5pm, and interested businesses can apply online at https://bif.smallbizla.org/.

Supporting Small Businesses in the Entertainment Industry

Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses within the entertainment sector, referring to the $4.1 million grant as a vital resource for businesses such as prop houses, florists, and caterers that have been grappling with the aftermath of the strikes and the slow revival of local productions. The initiative aims to stimulate film and TV production within Los Angeles County and bolster the businesses that form the backbone of the entertainment industry.

The LA County Supervisors swiftly responded to the crisis by establishing the Business Interruption Fund, which leverages resources from the Economic Opportunity Grant Program to aid small businesses in their recovery journey post-pandemic and post-strikes. The County Film Office, operating under the DEO, has collaborated with Lendistry to manage the grant distribution process and the Small Business Development Centers to assist applicants with their applications.

Through the BIF program, DEO is anticipated to award over 230 grants at varying levels based on revenue thresholds and the County’s COVID-19 Vulnerability and Recovery Index. A significant portion of the grant funds will be randomly allocated to businesses across different tiers to ensure equitable distribution and a fair selection process.

Revenue Size: $1,000,000 – 3,000,000

Grant Size: $25,000

Revenue Size: Less than $1,000,000

Grant Size: $10,000

Testimonials and Encouragement

Gary Smith, Head of the LA County Film Office, expressed gratitude to Supervisors Horvath and Barger for their support in providing assistance to small businesses essential to the entertainment industry. He highlighted the crucial role these businesses play in sustaining the Hollywood ecosystem.

Research indicates that the combined economic impact of the double strikes and the pandemic on the California economy was substantial, with LA County bearing a significant portion of the losses due to its concentration of production facilities and industry-related establishments. The BIF program aims to aid businesses still in recovery mode and help them rebuild their operations.

Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President and CEO of The Center by Lendistry, underscored the opportunity that the BIF program presents for small businesses to bounce back stronger and contribute positively to the community. Pat Nye, Executive Director of the LA SBDC Network, expressed pride in partnering with the LA County Film Office and supporting local businesses in the entertainment industry.

How to Apply

The Business Interruption Fund was officially launched on April 25th at History for Hire, a long-standing family-owned prop house in North Hollywood. More than 35 small businesses submitted applications on-site and received hands-on assistance with the application process. Visit grants.lacounty.gov for detailed information on eligibility criteria and to submit your application.

Submitted by Lara Arsinian, Head of Marketing & Communications

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