Rally LA Selects Inaugural Cohort of Downtown LA Small Businesses and Names Advisory Committee to Guide the Effort

by L.A. Area Chamber

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) today announced the inaugural cohort of Rally LA , roughly 50 small businesses across Downtown Los Angeles have been selected to receive cash grants, high-impact marketing and visibility opportunities, capacity building resources, and expanded connections to corporate networks. The Chamber also named the local advisory committee that will help guide the effort, bringing together representatives from Los Angeles organizations, local nonprofits, and community leaders to help ensure the initiative reflects the needs of the neighborhoods and small businesses it serves.

"Seeing this first cohort come together is a real milestone for Rally LA," said Maria Salinas, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce . "These are the small businesses that give downtown its unique character, and we want to lift them up as the world turns its attention to Los Angeles. With a committee of leaders who know these neighborhoods guiding the way, we can make sure our support meets local business owners where they are, so they have the network, resources, and visibility to grow in the years ahead."

Rally LA is a collaborative, place-based initiative designed to strengthen small businesses and build long-term economic value across the Los Angeles region ahead of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond. Led by the Chamber alongside corporate supporters AECOM, Cisco, Deloitte*, and Guild, the initiative positions the Chamber as the core facilitator, bringing together stakeholders to activate a coordinated ecosystem of support for local small businesses.

To help ensure Rally LA reflects the needs of the communities it serves; the initiative is guided by the Downtown Los Angeles Advisory Committee. This includes representatives from Los Angeles organizations such as: Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, Los Angeles Tourism, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), and the Central City Association. It also includes these local nonprofits and Downtown Los Angeles Business Improvement Districts: Arts District, Downtown LA Alliance, Fashion District, Historic Core, Downtown Industrial District, Little Tokyo Community Council, Redefine Alliance, LA Social District, and other community leaders. The committee will provide on-the-ground insight and help connect participating businesses with local opportunities, collaborations, and resources as the inaugural cohort gets underway.

Rally LA is designed to help selected businesses increase foot traffic, boost revenue, and scale operational capacity. Over the coming months, cohort members will receive cash grants distributed by the Chamber, along with high-impact marketing, visibility, and networking opportunities through the Rally LA network. The program culminates in a community pop-up block party designed to drive foot traffic directly to participating businesses.

The first cohort brings together Downtown Los Angeles small businesses across five consumer- and event-facing sectors: food and beverage, retail, creative and production, personal services, and entertainment. View the 50 small businesses here .

Rally LA's inaugural cohort is focused on Downtown Los Angeles, with additional neighborhoods to follow. To learn more, visit rally-la.com .

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About the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of a broad spectrum of organizations across the private, non-profit, academic, and public sectors, including the business community, job creators, and innovators in the Los Angeles region. Our mission is to design and advance opportunities and solutions for a thriving regional economy that is inclusive and globally competitive. As the oldest and largest business association in the region, the Chamber has a long-standing history of convening business leaders, communities, and policy makers to promote a vibrant economy.

*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.