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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2023

News Media Contact:

Kevin Jimenez, College Public Relations Manager (323) 265-8807 | jimeneka@elac.edu

CA Senator Susan Rubio Presents $2.5 Million to 91������Ƭ�� Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

MONTEREY PARK, CA – California Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) joined administrators from East Los Angeles College (91������Ƭ��), East Los Angeles College Foundation, and Los Angeles Community College District (91������Ƭ��) to announce $2.5 million in funding secured for the 91������Ƭ�� Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

The 91������Ƭ�� Incubator at the 91������Ƭ�� Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation brings a comprehensive suite of professional business development programs to 91������Ƭ�� students and local entrepreneurs. This is the first incubator program of its kind for the East Los Angeles region. The Incubator’s mission is to accelerate startup and growth-phase minority, women, veterans, formerly incarcerated, and LGBTQIA-owned businesses in the communities of East Los Angeles.

The incubator works in three phases and is aligned with key California growth industry sectors such as logistics, advanced manufacturing, robotics, drone technology, alternative energy, digital media, engineering, hospitality, and small business enterprises.

• Phase 1, Entrepreneur Boot Camp: The Boot Camp is designed to assist early-stage and aspiring entrepreneurs vet their business ideas and learn how to think like an entrepreneur.
• Phase 2, Advanced Business Curriculum: College coursework includes Small Business Administration and Principles of Marketing while the advanced entrepreneur workshops focus on topics such as Building Your Business Plan, Entity Formation, Fundamentals of Accounting, Business Contracts, Creative Problem Solving, Personal Branding, Communication & Interpersonal Skills, and Presentation Skills.
• Phase 3, High Touch Mentorship: Selected enterprises participate in a 9-month high touch mentorship program customized to their individual business goals. Services include co-workspace, accounting services, legal roadmap, tech-based business platforms, networking opportunities, legal roadmap, business certification, and consultation with subject matter experts.

“We thank Senator Rubio for her leadership and authorship of the budget item that establishes the 91������Ƭ�� Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center at East Los Angeles College,” said 91������Ƭ�� Board President David Vela. “This Center will provide thousands of community college students and community members with an opportunity for high-quality post-secondary education focusing on small business and entrepreneurship.”

“The funding secured through the leadership of Senator Rubio will enable current and new students and business owners to achieve their educational goals while also strengthening the small business ecosystem in the East Los Angeles region that was disproportionately and negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said 91������Ƭ�� Board Vice President Nichelle Henderson.

“The unincorporated community of East Los Angeles presents one of the densest communities, with diverse small business commercial and retail corridors, growing consumer markets, and prime areas for investment opportunities,” said 91������Ƭ�� Chancellor Francisco, Ph.D. “The 91������Ƭ�� Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center at East Los Angeles College would create a small business and entrepreneurship hub to build and expand existing talent that drives economic growth, creates jobs in East Los Angeles, and impacts the entire Los Angeles County region.”

About CA Senator Susan Rubio

Senator Susan Rubio was elected to the California Legislature in 2018 and represents Senate District 22. Born in Juarez, Mexico, Senator Rubio is the proud daughter of a former bracero worker and housekeeper. She attended East Los Angeles College and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University. She now lives in Baldwin Park, California. Previously, she was a public school teacher for 17 years at Baldwin Park and Monrovia school districts and was an elected official for 13 years in the City of Baldwin Park. The first Latina Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, Senator Rubio is on the Senate leadership team as Assistant Majority Whip.

About East Los Angeles College

91������Ƭ�� is the largest of nine two-year community colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District (91������Ƭ��), www.laccd.edu. More information about 91������Ƭ�� is available online at http://www.elac.edu/. Follow 91������Ƭ�� on social media, Instagram @91������Ƭ��Huskies, X @EastLACollege, and Facebook @Eastlacollege.