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Colin Parent
Councilmember | La Mesa, CA

ARPA: La Mesa CA, Invests in Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Idea Category: Jobs and Entrepreneurship | Funding Source: American Rescue Plan

La Mesa City Councilmember Colin Parent and the City Council allocated over $800,000 in American Rescue Plan dollars to support existing small business' recovery and help entrepreneurs and new startups open storefronts in the city. Participants in the La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP) are eligible to receive up to $20,000 in grants as well as personalized start-up training programs. With storefronts emptied after the pandemic, the LEAP program will support local entrepreneurs and help improve economic prosperity within the community.

La Mesa is also using ARPA funds for the recently released Façade and Property Improvement Grant Program. The two-year pilot program will support La Mesa businesses in completing exterior improvements to business-use properties. Participants are eligible for up to $25,000 in grants to use for existing property improvements such as adding a permanent awning, outdoor patio, or mural.