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Instead of Federal Business Loans, LA's Street Vendors Get A GoFundMe
Dolores Moctezuma, a local street vendor, in line to receive a cash card from Inclusive Action for the City. Chava Sanchez/LAist
The man you buy fruit from on your corner? The lady slinging your favorite tacos down the street? They're likely not eligible for loans from the federal government's coronavirus stimulus package, despite being some of L.A.'s most beloved small businesses.
That's because many of L.A.'s nearly 50,000 street vendors lack the proper documentation to apply for federal loans, operate mostly with cash, or are undocumented immigrants, according to Rudy Espinoza, director of the non-profit Inclusive Action for the City.
So others, including Espinoza's group, are stepping in to help.
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LA's Most Iconic Small Businesses Can't Get Federal Small Business Loans
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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