Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) received the HERO award for her work on behalf of small businesses in Los Angeles at the Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC). 

“I was honored to receive the HERO Award from VEDC,” said Royal-Allard. “With our national economy in crisis, VEDC’s work supporting new and existing business creation and expansion is more critical now than ever before.  VEDC is doing its part for the small business community and now the federal government must also enact policies that help small businesses to grow and hire.  That is why I support President Obama's American Jobs Act.”  

“If enacted,  the American Jobs Act will help small businesses continue doing what they do best: create good jobs, drive competitiveness and innovation, and strengthen economic security for the middle class.  I look forward to continuing to work with VEDC to support small businesses as they help build a future of economic security and prosperity in our communities.“ 

VEDC's mission is, "to create and sustain jobs and businesses in our communities by providing high-quality economic development services." VEDC is located in Van Nuys, CA and provides loans and consultation services to small and medium sized business owners, entrepreneurs and members of the communities it serves across greater Los Angeles. VEDC is the largest non-profit business development corporation in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. In 2008 Congresswoman Roybal-Allard led an effort that secured $282,000 for VEDC Historic Downtown Retail Project, which provides free retail consulting services to any business wishing to locate or expand in Downtown Los Angeles. The awards ceremony was held at Woodbury University, 7500 Glenoaks Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91510.

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