The new El Cajon Small Business Incubator will be launched by the Chaldean Community Council thanks to a $500,000 grant from San Diego County.
The intent of the initiative is to support local entrepreneurship, spur economic growth and create job opportunities in El Cajon with a focus on low-income and underserved refugee communities.
The city of El Cajon is providing the lease for the incubator space for $1 per year. The county funding comes via the American Rescue Plan Act.
“This center will serve as a beacon of hope for East County entrepreneurs with a dream, all while stimulating our local economy and bringing jobs to our community,” said county Supervisor Joel Anderson.
East County is home to 50,000 Chaldeans, the second-largest population outside of Iraq, according to the Chaldean Coalition.
According to a recent Pew Research Center report, the county also is home to the eighth largest population of Arabic speakers in the U.S., approximately 40,000 people.
“Our collective effort aims to transform the local economic landscape by providing small businesses and startups from underserved refugee communities with the resources they need to succeed,” said the Dr. Noori Barka, of the El Cajon-based council. “This joint effort will greatly boost local business and help the economy grow, creating new jobs and opportunities in our community.”
Anderson and Barka recently joined El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and the Most Reverend Bishop Emanuel Shaleta to announce the incubator.
