How we’re supporting small businesses throughout the largest transit expansion in the nation 

If you’re a reader of The Source, you probably know that things have been pretty busy around here. We’re extending rail lines, building new stations and have many other projects in the planning pipeline. In fact, we’re overseeing the nation’s biggest transit expansion! 

Any kind of construction can have can impact on the surrounding community –– this can include road closures, detours, parking challenges, and noise. Understanding the needs of small businesses affected by construction –– and helping them thrive in their communities as we build for the future –– is something we take very seriously.  

That’s why in 2015 we launched two pilot programs designed to mitigate impacts to small businesses where we’re building rail. While other transit agencies have launched programs to support small businesses, we’re the first to do it on this scale. 

The Business Interruption Fund (BIF) is a program that provides grants to small “mom and pop” businesses directly impacted by construction. These  impacted areas include  the K Line, which opened in late 2022, the Little Tokyo area and 2nd/Broadway segments near the three new stations that opened last year on the A & E Lines, currently the D Line Extension, on the Westside, and soon the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project, which will travel 6.7 miles along Van Nuys Boulevard between the G Line  and Pacoima.  

Additionally, the Business Solution Center (BSC) is a program which provides marketing support, business plan development, technical resources, accounting management and coaching to small businesses. It started specifically along the K Line corridor as a pilot. After this successful pilot, the program was made permanent in 2019 and expanded to all future light rail and bus rapid transit projects.  

We’re excited to release our third-ever Small Business Report that sums up the work we’ve done and what’s around the corner. We put out previous reports in 2017 and 2019, and we’re happy this new report shares some exciting updates.   

Here’s a sneak peak at what’s inside: 

— You’ll read first-hand accounts by diverse mom-and-pops that have benefitted from the programs, including  Century Cleaners (est. 2016) in the D Line Extension area, and Akimoto Chiropractic (est. 1981) in the Little Tokyo area. 

— You’ll read about where we’re going next with the program – specifically the San Fernando Valley to support the .East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project.   

— You’ll read about some of the program’s successes along the K Line.  

To view the 2024 Small Business Report, we have versions in the English and Spanish. To learn more about the BIF, visit metro.net/bif. Direct all questions about the BSC to bsc@metro.net.