Duarte and Whittier have been named as L.A. County’s most business-friendly cities.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation announced the two cities in eastern Los Angeles County as the winners of the most business-friendly cities award at a ceremony Thursday night. Duarte won in the small cities category and Whittier won in the large cities category.

“Both cities stand out as model communities in Los Angeles County by proactively engaging and working with businesses and the private sector to create jobs for their residents,” said Bill Allen, LAEDC chief executive.

The LAEDC started the most business-friendly cities award in 2006 as a way to get cities to compete to be more welcoming to business. The winners are selected based on their commitment to economic development, the quality of their programs to assist business entry, expansion and retention and low business tax rates and fee structures.