Oakland is rolling out a new Immigrant Micro Business Support Program for immigrant entrepreneurs in a strategic move by the city's Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD), partnering with The Unity Council and Feed the Hunger Fund. The initiative, backed by a $275,000 state grant from the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz), sets out to provide workshops, financial coaching, and low-cost financing focused on nurturing micro-enterprise and small businesses, as reported by the City of Oakland.
Grateful for the state grant, Oakland's new Mayor Sheng Thao said, "small businesses are the backbone of the economy," and the funding enables the city to offer essential support to immigrant entrepreneurs. Designed to work hand-in-hand with existing programs like the Neighborhood Business Assistance Program and Activate Oakland, the initiative aims to supply these businesses with vital tools to flourish, according to a statement obtained by the City of Oakland.
Looking forward, the program is also preparing to launch a free community workshop on January 25, targeting Mobile Food Vendors specifically. The event will be held at the Fruitvale Senior Center and will offer guidance on navigating permits, loans, and overall business readiness. "In 2024, thanks to the generous support of the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and the Citi Foundation, Feed The Hunger Fund will be able to provide nearly $50,000 in grants to Mobile Food Vendors in the San Francisco East Bay," added Meche Sansores, Senior Loan Officer at Feed the Hunger Fund.
The cornerstone of the Immigrant Micro Business Support Program includes recruiting participants and providing comprehensive assistance like digital literacy, translation services, and business development workshops. Set to bolster community wealth and asset-building amongst those with the least access, the program dispenses $50,000 in grants. It avails $250,000 in low-interest loan capital to qualified participants.
Furthermore, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) took a historic step with the first-ever Local Immigrant Integration and Inclusion Grant (LIG) allocations last fall, distributing over $6 million to a dozen local governments throughout California. Anticipating a second round of funding, GO-Biz aims to enhance fund distribution equitably, focusing on rural regions and underserved immigrant populations.
