U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Workforce Development in Southern California’s Entertainment Industry

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, Inc., Los Angeles, California, for renovations to a 6,688-square foot warehouse needed to train and upskill workers in Southern California’s entertainment industry. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will provide for the establishment of a workforce development center, offering training and job placement assistance into well-paying, quality jobs in lighting design, audio technology, wardrobe management, and other fields in the entertainment industry. The EDA investment will be matched with $3.3 million in local funds and is expected to create 92 jobs and retain 54 jobs.

“The entertainment industry was hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impacts were felt especially by those working behind the scenes to bring this vital industry to life,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to these communities and others as they work to rebuild from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. This project is part of EDA’s ongoing work with communities to make investments that respond to unique, local needs.”

“The entertainment industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in Southern California,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The new facility will provide space and resources to train workers – including dozens of veterans annually – for in-demand careers in the entertainment industry.”

“The Golden State’s iconic entertainment industry shapes global culture and is a vital sector that represents billions in wages and revenue for California workers and businesses,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This investment will be used to establish a workforce development center to provide training opportunities and help connect workers with good jobs in Southern California’s entertainment industry. We appreciate the Biden Administration’s assistance in ensuring our world-renowned film and television industry continues to roar back from the pandemic.”

“I voted for the American Rescue Plan because it provides support to workers who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “The entertainment industry is a critical part of the economic engine in Los Angeles and across Southern California, and it has been particularly hit hard by the pandemic. This funding will help train Californians and connect them with good paying jobs in our entertainment industry as it recovers from the pandemic.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.