California Is Open for Business

by Maria S. Salinas

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted throughout California this week, the state is poised to begin a bold recovery. June 15, 2021 will be remembered as the start of our economic recovery, and while change won’t occur overnight, the lifting of restrictions marks the first real sign of hope since the pandemic began. Businesses large and small will finally be able to return to full capacity and rehire employees, allowing them to support their families.



While some are apprehensive about reopening after 15 tumultuous months, the Chamber joins business leaders across the state who are ready to support our communities and emerge stronger than before. This means continued support for our small businesses, especially those that are women and minority owned, who have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

We hear the small business community when they share their “pain points,” even as we approach a robust recovery. The lack of access to capital, the inability to access procurement opportunities, and challenges in expanding their digital presence are still very real concerns as COVID restrictions are lifted. That’s why the Chamber is proud to be a founding member of the Los Angeles collaborative, Together for L.A., a coalition of organizations committed to supporting economic recovery efforts for our small business community.



Last week, the coalition was awarded a Wells Fargo Open for Business Grant, an opportunity to assist diverse small businesses with technical assistance, outreach and engagement campaigns, webinars, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance which will be delivered both online and in community. The program will be one of the largest efforts to reach and serve low and moderate income diverse businesses and help them reopen, reinvent themselves, and recover through technical assistance.  

California’s reopening was made possible because of the sacrifices of its residents and businesses that followed health orders. Because of the Californians who did their part to curb the spread of COVID-19, we begin anew for an equitable economic recovery.