Unlocking LA County’s economic opportunity and potential for
job seekers and businesses.
DEO works to unlock LA County’s economic potential and build thriving, inclusive local communities.
Whether you’re looking to start a new career or grow a small business, we got you covered! The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is LA County’s central economic and workforce development hub helping residents connect to new career pathways, start and certify a business, and access life-changing opportunities.
We’re working to advance equity and inclusive, sustainable growth through all DEO programs and services by targeting economic benefits to the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, small businesses and residents in LA County.
Team DEO can help you:
Emergency Wildfire Resource Hub Now Available
DEO has launched an emergency one-stop resource hub for businesses and workers impacted by the LA County wildfires including emergency and recovery updates, business and worker support, and upcoming webinars and events.
Business to Business Space Share Program
DEO and LA County ISD launched a free virtual exchange where organizations and individuals with available workspace can connect with displaced businesses and nonprofits impacted by the windstorm and wildfires.
LA County’s Small Business Commission
DEO is home to LA County’s Small Business Commission, an advisory body that represents the interests and concerns of the small business community in the County to the Board of Supervisors, helping businesses grow and engage with Los Angeles County.
Join DEO’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI)
DEO’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) connects business owners, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises to academies, specialized training and support, access to capital and commercial spaces, and individualized technical assistance through 15+ partners.
Join DEO’s Youth@Work
Program
DEO’s Youth@Work program provides LA County youth ages 14 to 24 with 160 hours of hands-on paid work experience, training opportunities, and career development support including tailored plans to map out your career path through our America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs).
Build Back Better.
DEO is committed to helping communities & businesses build back better by deploying more than $156 million in economic and workforce development programing through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Small Business Corner
Supporting Sidewalk Vendors
With support from local and regional partners, we’re here to help sidewalk vendors start up and thrive in our growing open-air economy, while also ensuring safe and healthy communities through compliant sidewalk vending operations.
MEHKOs Now Authorized
The recently enacted Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) ordinance allows individuals to transform their home kitchens into small-scale restaurants, offering a unique opportunity to earn money while doing what you love.
SmallBiz Permit Express
Navigating the permitting process can feel challenging, but with the new LA County SmallBiz Permit Express, it just got a whole lot easier. Enjoy 25% faster response times, priority inspections, and streamlined support tailored for businesses!
DEO Newsroom
LA County DEO Launches 5-Year Life Science Industry Strategy, Setting Trajectory for 10,000 High Quality Jobs and Greater LA Region as a Global Life Sciences Hub
Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to fast-track the implementation of the Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) newly released Life Sciences Industry Strategy and Action Plan, a transformative roadmap to establish the region as a global leader in bio-innovation and create 10,000 high-quality, inclusive jobs by 2030.
LA County DEO Awards $17.8 Million to 19 High Road Training Partnerships
Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and partners Dalberg LLC and UCLA Labor Center proudly announced the launch of the County’s $17.8 million High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) Fund, issuing grants to 19 awardees that will train over 1,800 workers and create pathways to quality jobs in high-growth sectors across LA County. The announcement was held at El Camino College, kicking off a community of practice with grantees representing workers and labor, employers and industry, community-based organizations, and educational institutions and both launching and expanding innovative and systems change-focused workforce development models.
LA County DEO Launches Regional “Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local.” Campaign to Support Economic Recovery for Fire Impacted Small Businesses
Marking six months since the devasting January 2025 windstorm and wildfires, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is reaffirming its commitment to the region’s economic recovery by announcing the launch of a countywide public awareness campaign, “Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local.,” to support small and micro businesses reeling from the economic impacts, such as losses to property, revenue, and customers in fire impacted communities.
LA County DEO Kicks Off Summer with Youth@Work Hiring Events
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) officially kicked off summer with a series of Youth@Work Summer Hiring events across all five supervisorial districts. These events welcomed over 1,400 young adults, many engaging in their first job search and connecting with more than 60 local employers hiring in high-growth sectors, including healthcare, construction and infrastructure, aerospace, early childhood education, and the creative industries. These events took place with DEO’s America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) in La Puente, Palmdale, Compton, Culver City, and Whittier.
LA County DEO 2025 LA Region Small Business Forum, Connecting Hundreds to Resources and On-Site Support
Yesterday, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger hosted the first of two 2025 LA Region Small Business Forums at the Pasadena Convention Center in celebration of Small Business Month.
LA Regional Small Business Legal Aid Program Expands Access to No-Cost Legal Support for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and Public Counsel are providing no cost legal services to small business owners and entrepreneurs across LA County through the LA Regional Small Business Legal Aid Program, helping them build, protect, and grow their business. LA County and DEO have invested $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act and partnered with the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department to expand the program and provide a no wrong door approach for legal services for small businesses countywide and at scale.
LA County Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation Program Gains Momentum With 100 Permits Issued and More to Come
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced today that more than 100 Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) permits have been issued since the programs launch in November 2024. This milestone reflects the County’s commitment to safe and compliant food vending and operations and expanding a legal and safe pathway for small businesses and micro entrepreneurs to enter the formal economy.
LA County DEO Announces the High Road Training Partnership Fund, a $17 Million Grant Program for Job Training Programs and Partners
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is launching a new High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) Fund, a grant program, with over $17 million available to fund innovative, high-quality workforce training models delivered by worker-centered organizations and employers. Applications will open on March 31, 2025. During the application window, technical assistance will be provided, including informational sessions and an application toolkit.
Los Angeles County and LA City Announce Wildfire Relief Funds for Small Businesses and Workers
In the aftermath of devastating windstorms and wildfires that have disrupted lives and businesses across Los Angeles County, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) today announced the launch of the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds.
New LA County Platform Helps Wildfire Displaced Businesses Find Free Commercial Spaces
As part of its ongoing efforts to support small businesses impacted by recent windstorms and wildfires, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) today announced the launch of Business-to-Business Space Share. This free exchange platform connects displaced businesses, including nonprofits, to temporary workspaces generously donated by other businesses throughout LA County.
State of CA Awards $10 Million to LA County’s DEO to Support Workforce Recovery for Wildfire-Impacted Communities
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has awarded $10 million to the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) as part of a $20 million federal and state commitment to support workers and communities impacted by the devastating wildfires across LA County.
Los Angeles County DEO Mobilizes Support Through Local Assistance Centers and Disaster Outreach Loan Centers
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will be joining federal, state, and local partners, including the County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and local city governments, to provide on-site direct services to those impacted by the recent wildfires at the newly opened Local Assistance Centers (LACs) and SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs).
Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity Launches Emergency Resources Webpage for Workers and Businesses Impacted by the Wildfires
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched an emergency resources webpage for workers and businesses to aid those impacted by the devastating wildfires. Designed as a one-stop hub, the page provides resources, assistance, and up-to-date information to support businesses and workers as they navigate recovery and rebuilding efforts.