Small Business Commission

The Small Business Commission is 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. 

The Los Angeles County Small Business Commission was established by order of the Board of Supervisors on June 29, 1999.  The Commission’s highest priorities are to advise the Director and the Board on small business contract utilization in the County and small business development in unincorporated areas of the County.

In carrying out this mission, the advisory board monitors and evaluates progress in the implementation of the “Bold Steps Forward” recommendations adopted by the Board of Supervisors for improving the County’s procurement practices and make recommendations relating to other issues that affect the small business community.  The Commission shall provide a status report and make any recommendations to the Board of Supervisors at least once a year.

The Commission works with Department of Economic Opportunity to prioritize issues of particular concern to Los Angeles County’s small business community, such as the Equity in County Contracting motion and Local Small Business Enterprise Ordinance.

Who is the Los Angeles County Small Business Commission?

The Commission consists of 20 voting members, four members appointed by each member of the Board.  The Commission may have up to five alternate members, one alternate member appointed by each member of the Board.

Duties of the Commission include:

1. Ascertain the needs of the small business community;
2. Povide an annual report to the  Board of Supervisors relating to the issues that affect the small business community in the County;
3. Assess the need for changes in procedures, programs or legislation in order to further the interests of small businesses in the County;
4. Assess methods for effective outreach to small businesses in the County and to increase the transparency of County contracting processes;
5. Monitor and evaluate progress in implementing all motions adopted by the Board pertaining to the small business community; and
6. Advise, make findings and recommendations, as appropriate, and report to the Board regarding the topics identified in subsections A through E of this Section, in turn report the findings and recommendations of the Commission to the Board as appropriate.

The work of the Commission is executed through two primary committees:

Economic Development & Outreach Committee

The Economic Development & Outreach Committee was developed to support the economic development of the small business community in Los Angeles County by identifying resources and education platforms for current and potential business owners, and to provide strategies to increase outreach efforts to the small business community. The Economic Development & Outreach Committee has three primary goals: Outreach, Economic Development, and Social Enterprises

Procurement & Reciprocity Committee

The Procurement & Reciprocity committee was developed to identify and promote procurement opportunities for small business owners in Los Angeles County to increase the County’s Small Business Utilization percentage; and to develop partnerships with various corporate partners on the following platforms local, state and Federal agencies. These relationships are also for the purpose of creating reciprocity between agencies.

Upcoming Meeting

The Small Business Commission meets once a quarter, four times per year.  Quarterly meetings shall be held in January, April, July and October. 

The Small Business Commission meeting, previously scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 10:00am, is cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Historical Background

Throughout its history, the Commission has been housed within the Internal Services Department, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, and the Department of Economic and Workforce Development in 2021.

Most recently, in 2022, the Commission settled within the newly formed Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).