Welcome to our latest newsletter! We are excited to share news about Long Beach's continued economic growth, an update on our Kiva Long Beach Loan Program and news on the latest developments in our city! We are continuously working to bring about new programs and strengthen partnerships that will help sustain this growth for all Long Beach workers, investors, and entrepreneurs. Please keep reading for updates and information on upcoming workshops and events!
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City of Long Beach Unveils Proposed 2019 Budget; Public Safety, Homelessness and Economic Development Among Top Priorities!
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The FY 19 proposed budget includes additional of eight positions in the Development Services Department that are funded by permit revenue from increased development activity and will make starting a business in Long beach easier by providing specialized services for new high-rise development applications, improving Permit Counter wait times, improving public communications on land use issues, and meeting increased demand for inspections.
The FY 19 budget also proposes a robust $120.8 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) bolstered by Measure A funds, which invests in mobility, public facilities, parks and recreation, beaches and waterways, utilities, and the Long Beach Airport. Learn more
here.
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Long Beach Awarded National Innovation Grant to Foster Entrepreneurship and Job Growth
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The City of Long Beach has been selected by the
Citi Foundation
and
Living Cities
as one of five cities in the nation to participate in the
City Accelerator
program’s fifth cohort. In addition to a $100,000 grant, each city will receive a combination of coaching, technical assistance and implementation resources in the coming year. Long Beach’s focus will be on entrepreneurship and job growth. The City proposed a project that builds on its
Economic Blueprint
to further invest in economic equity efforts, and connect the city’s rich cultural diversity to entrepreneurial programs and business assistance. This work will be tied to local workforce development programs to ensure that residents are connected to jobs created by this new generation of Long Beach entrepreneurs. Learn more
here..
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Two Local Entrepreneurs added to Kiva Long Beach Roster!
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Through the Kiva Long Beach initiative, Long Beach entrepreneurs can access no-fee loans to start or grow their business, and residents can help local small businesses with loans as small as $25. With a dollar-for-dollar loan match provided by the Los Angeles Local Initiatives Corporation (
LA LISC
), Kiva Long Beach borrowers can accomplish their fundraising goal quickly. Learn more about our current Kiva borrowers and how you can help fund their loans below!
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Lawrence Charles of Charles and Company Tea is dedicated spreading the health benefits of tea through his company. A loan of $10,000 will help Charles procure additional tea inventory, purchase equipment, improve product packaging, and expand his online presence. This loan will also help him raise working capital that will enable his business to meet existing customer demand.
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Ashley Arnold, owner of Ladie Kakes, turned her passion for baking into a successful small business and now she is ready to expand! A Kiva loan of $10,000 will help establish Ladie Kakes as an LLC, file and acquire Trademarks for the Ladie Kakes name and logo, increase advertising, and provide working capital toward purchasing inventory and equipment for The Sweets Show this fall.
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Long Beach Grad Rates Up for Sixth Straight Year!
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Graduation rates in the Long Beach Unified School District increased for the sixth year in a row, again surpassing state and county rates. Students of color in Long Beach schools also outperformed their peers countywide and statewide, and eight high schools here reported graduation rates above 90 percent. Click
here
for full article.
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Massive Retail Complex Long Beach Exchange adds Lululemon, SusieCakes to Growing Tenant Roster
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After announcing an impressive list of grub-hubs to its tenant roster, the massive sprawl of retail known as the Long Beach Exchange—dubbed “LBX” among its patrons and owners—has announced that luxury athletic wear purveyor Lululemon and sweets empire SusieCakes will be opening spaces at the center. Click
here
for full article.
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Upcoming Events & Workshops
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Mayor Robert Garcia and the Long Beach Business Journal are once again teaming up to present a Building A Better Long Beach forum, 11 a.m., Tuesday,
August 28
, Beverly O’Neill Theater at the Long Beach Convention Center. Mayor Garcia is providing an overview of the projects underway and planned throughout the city. The event is free, as is the parking. RSVP required.
Click here
to register.
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The SBDC's
Starting A Small Business
workshop will get you on the right path to starting a small business. Topics to be discussed include: researching your business ideas, outlining your business plan, learning about start-up expenses, financing, and general management issues.
Date:
08/09/2018
Time:
6:00-8:30 PM
Status:
Open - 4 places remaining
Cost:
FREE
Location:
SBDC at LBCC
4900 E Conant Street, Bldg. O2, Room 234, Long Beach CA 90808
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Join the Economic Development Department, CSULB's College of Business Administration and the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for week 5 of the Beach Entrepreneur Bootcamp where you will learn about legal structures for your business, regulatory burdens financing options your business.
Date:
8/07/2018
Time:
6:00-9:00PM
Cost:
FREE
Location:
CSULB
CBA Building, Room 140
1250 Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840
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If you have a brick and mortar business and don’t quite know how to take advantage of what social media has to offer,
Improving Your Social Media & Online Reputation
is for you. You will learn how to use word of mouth on Facebook and Instagram, what to do about negative comments and how to boost your customer service.
Date:
8/14/2018
Time:
7:00-9:00PM
Cost:
FREE
Location:
Ironfire
4195 North Viking Way #D
Long Beach, CA 90808
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