U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Workforce Development in Los Angeles, California

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4 million grant to Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles, California, to support workforce development in the culinary and food sectors. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will allow Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit youth rehabilitation program, to renovate an existing facility to provide vocational training to previously incarcerated individuals, preparing them for employment in the food and culinary sectors. The EDA investment will be matched with $1 million in local funds and is expected to create or retain nearly 200 jobs and generate $11.3 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to communities to build a better America,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support workforce development efforts in Los Angeles designed to prepare potentially at-risk individuals for stable employment.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting local economic development strategies designed to boost regional economic growth and resiliency,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will help create essential job opportunities for some of the highest-need individuals in Los Angeles County.”

“This grant to Homeboy Industries will help previously incarcerated individuals in the Los Angeles area access transformative vocational supports and opportunities to lead successful and productive lives,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “California thanks the Biden Administration for its continued support of economic growth in all our communities.”

“I have seen firsthand the transformative work done by Homeboy Industries to give formerly incarcerated and gang-involved Angelenos a second chance,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “This is a smart investment in an organization that has become a national model for rehab, re-entry, and job training. The $4 million awarded today will help put hundreds of Californians on the path to a better life with stable, well-paying careers.”

“I am proud that the Department of Commerce is awarding $4 million to Homeboy Industries to expand the nonprofit’s efforts to help formerly incarcerated individuals in Los Angeles gain culinary and hospitality skills, find a career, and rebuild their lives,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). “Homeboy Industries, headquartered in my district, has given tens of thousands of Angelenos a second chance through its unique support system that has been proven to reduce recidivism and substance abuse, improve community connections and get people into permanent housing. I am working in Congress to multiply the impact of local organizations like Homeboy Industries through the federal appropriations process – which allows Members of Congress to request federal funding for community projects, and which last year returned over $9 million for projects that will make a real difference in the lives of my constituents.”

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. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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.