Monday, July 14, 2025

County to Explore Boosting Life Sciences Ecosystem with Ambitious Funding Strategy

Supervisors set to vote on comprehensive plan to attract, support, and grow biotechnology industry in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will convene on Tuesday, July 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration to consider a transformative life sciences initiative proposed by Supervisor Holly Mitchell. The comprehensive strategy aims to position the county as a competitive biotechnology hub by deploying $5,792,000 from the County Bioscience Loan Fund and investing up to $2,000,000 in targeted workforce development programs.

The proposed plan goes beyond simple funding, creating a multifaceted approach to support emerging life sciences firms. It includes prioritizing loans for graduating incubator companies, developing multi-tenant spaces for growing businesses, and establishing a clear permit classification system. The strategy emphasizes supporting historically underrepresented communities and creating a comprehensive business attraction and retention program.

Alongside the life sciences initiative, the board will address several critical issues. Supervisors will consider supporting state and federal legislation to enhance transparency during immigration enforcement, requiring law enforcement to display identification and prohibit facial coverings during interactions.

Supervisor Janice Hahn will lead a discussion on preserving suicide prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth following a federal directive to eliminate specialized hotline resources. Simultaneously, Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath will explore strategies to support the county’s film and television industry, potentially establishing a $80 million to $100 million public-private Evergreen Fund for technology start-ups.

The meeting will also review several legal settlements, including a significant $14 million case involving an alleged wrongful conviction.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Tuesday, July 15
• Time: 9:30 a.m.
• Location: Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street
• Remote Participation: Call (877) 226-8163, Participant Code: 1336503
• Public Comments: Telephonic participation and written submissions at https://publiccomment.bos.lacounty.gov

The meeting will be televised on KLCS on Wednesday, July 16, at 11:00 p.m. Detailed agenda information is available at http://bos.lacounty.gov.