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In This Edition:
- City of Long Beach Opens Applications for Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program
- City of Long Beach to Host Wrigley Business Improvement District Feasibility Stakeholder Meeting
- City of Long Beach Seeks Community Input on Feasibility of Permitting Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations
- LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Fund to Provide Assistance for Small Businesses and Workers
- Get Ready for LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Contract Opportunities!
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City of Long Beach Opens Applications for Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program | |
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The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department announced the opening of applications for the second cohort of its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Level Up LB), a program designed to support entrepreneurs and propel small businesses toward success and sustainability. The program will assist 20 small business owners with support services, workshops and $10,000 in grant funding to help take their small business to the next level.
Level Up LB will connect selected entrepreneurs with essential business support resources and comprehensive workshops that focus on crafting new business and marketing plans. Upon completion of a ten-week course, selected businesses will receive $10,000 in grant funding to help grow their small business. Businesses selected to participate will be provided with technical assistance and resources to evaluate their business plan and financials, sales metrics and benchmark and identify strategies to reach the next level of growth.
Applications are available through 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Businesses will be scored and selected based on their need and readiness to participate and the potential impact of the Program to their business. More information about eligibility requirements is available at longbeach.gov/levelup.
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City of Long Beach to Host Wrigley Business Improvement District Feasibility Stakeholder Meeting | |
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The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (Department) invites residents, businesses and stakeholders to a feasibility meeting to learn about and provide input on the potential for developing a new business improvement district (BID) to represent the Wrigley business corridor. The event will take place Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Cove Hotel (200 E. Willow St.).
The Wrigley business corridor encompasses Pacific Avenue bounded by West Willow Street to the north, Pacific Coast Highway to the south, and along West Willow Street from Golden Avenue to the east and Long Beach Boulevard to the west in Council Districts 6 and 7. The Wrigley area has a long history of diversity, sense of community and a blend of restaurants and locally-owned businesses that reflect the fabric of the community.
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The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is conducting a feasibility study on permitting Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) in Long Beach and has developed a survey to gather community feedback. The Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation Public Survey is open now through Feb. 28, and it is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.
MEHKO is a type of small-scale food business that allows individuals to prepare and sell home-cooked meals directly from their residential kitchens. Operating under specific regulations, MEHKOs must comply with food safety standards, including limits on meal volume, food handling practices and sales caps. MEHKOs provide an affordable entry point for entrepreneurs to start a food business while offering their communities access to unique, freshly made meals. This model supports local economies, fosters culinary diversity and empowers home-based chefs to showcase their talents.
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LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Fund to Provide Assistance for Small Businesses and Workers | |
In response to the devastating 2025 Los Angeles County Wildfires, the County has established the Los Angeles County Relief Fund. The LA Region Worker Relief Fund is for workers displaced and impacted by the 2025 wind and wildfire disaster. The program will provide grants up to $2,000 for eligible applicants to access relief and find economic security and new employment opportunities.
The LA Region Small Business Relief Fund is for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the 2025 wind and wildfire disaster. The program will provide grants up to $25,000 for eligible applicants to access relief, start to recover, and rebuild their business in LA County
| Get Ready for LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Contract Opportunities! | |
As LA28 gets ready to plan and deliver the largest Games in history, we need interested community-based and local businesses across Los Angeles County to get ready. They will be looking to hire certified local businesses, small businesses and businesses owned by underrepresented groups to support the planning and delivery of the Games. Inclusion of businesses with diversity, size, and social certifications is paramount.
If you own a business that is registered on RAMPLA, has valid certifications, and you want to be included in the pool of available businesses curated by the City of Los Angeles specifically for LA28 contracts - please fill out THIS FORM no later than Monday, February 10, 2025.
If you do not have a RAMPLA account and/or do not hold any valid certifications, but you want to be considered for LA28 contracts, please fill out THIS FORM no later than Monday, February 10, 2025.
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The City of Long Beach is announcing next steps and additional details for its highly anticipated Long Beach Bowl, the city’s first-ever amphitheater to be located along the Downtown waterfront near the iconic Queen Mary.
Announced last week at Mayor Richardson’s State of the City presentation, ASM Global/Legends, a world leader in venue management and live event experiences, has been tentatively selected to manage the Long Beach Bowl, following a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process. ASM Global/Legends will manage the daily operation of the state-of-the-art facility, including ensuring the highest industry standards for the site, coordinating bookings and programming entertainment, marketing and advertising activities, staffing and logistics, and maintaining sound and noise management.
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The City of Long Beach today announced the appointment of Jaime Gutierrez as the Executive Director for the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN), effective immediately. This position oversees the Economic Development Department's Workforce Development Bureau and the City’s adult and youth employment centers, WorkPlace, and Future LB.
In this role, Mr. Gutierrez will report to the Director of Economic Development and oversee the activities and staff of the Workforce Development Bureau, providing strategic leadership in close coordination with business and industry, academia and state and nonprofit entities. He will also provide oversight to the Workforce Development Board and help to ensure the success of major personnel initiatives including retention, recruitment and building a strong talent pipeline for the future.
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The Delete the Divide program is currently accepting applications for Los Angeles County businesses. This program helps business get online, optimize digital services, and ultimately grow their sales with technology.
This program provides up to $10k in free resources for small businesses and has opened 90 spots to offer. Spots are limited so apply as soon as possible.
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The Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) is a program for business owners, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises that provides access to programs, services, and resources through 15 local community-based organizations.
The EMI can help you start or grow your business or nonprofit by providing technical training, curriculum-based education, mentorship, access to capital, and much more at no cost to you.
If interested, submit an intake form.
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The Long Beach Towne Center is now seeking retail partnerships with premier local and national operators. Whether you’re a new restaurant looking for your first brick-and-mortar or an established looking to expand, our leasing opportunities are designed to help you achieve your business goals.
More information can be found by contacting Tonya Szerdahelyi by phone at 562-257-1507 or email tszerdahelyi@vestar.com.
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Upcoming Events and Workshops | |
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SCORE: How to Do Business with the State of California
- February 10, 2025, 9 a.m.
SBDC: What You Need To Know About Insurance For Your Small Business
- February 10, 2025, 3 p.m.
SBDC: Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 1 of 3] What You Need To Know About Accounting And Financial Record Keeping
- February 11, 2025, 9 a.m.
SCORE: Tax Reduction Strategies for Owners of Corporations & LLC’s
- February 11, 2025, 12 p.m.
SBDC: How To Sell When You’re Not A Salesperson
- February 11, 2025, 5 p.m.
SCORE: Landing Page Mastery: Unlocking Lead Generation Success
- February 12, 2025, 11:30 a.m.
SBDC: Turning Your Dream Into A Business
- February 13, 2025, 1 p.m.
SBDC: Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 2 of 3] Using an Excel Document for Financial Modeling and Forecasting
- February 18, 2025, 9 a.m.
SCORE: Fund Your Business with Sponsors, Even if You're Just Starting Out
- February 18, 2025, 10 a.m.
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SBDC: Create Content That Converts – Mastering ChatGPT & Canva For Sales Success
- February 18, 2025, 10 a.m.
SCORE: Optimizing Your LinkedIn and Alignable Profiles for Success in 2025
- February 18, 2025, 12 p.m.
SCORE: How to Start and Grow a Profitable Consulting Business
- February 19, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE: The Art & Science of Pricing, Bidding, & Billing
- February 19, 2025, 2 p.m.
SBDC: Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 3 of 3] How to Analyze your Company’s Financials for Better Decision Making
- February 20, 2025, 9 a.m.
SCORE: How to License your Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks
- February 20, 2025, 10 a.m.
SCORE: How to Increase Sales Using Google Ads & Get Back Lost Sales with Retargeting
- February 20, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
SBDC: Developing An Actionable Business Plan
- February 20, 2025, 1 p.m.
SCORE: How To Secure Business Funding In 2025: The Dating Game
- February 20, 2025, 5 p.m.
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The Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant is providing direct financial relief to local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime and vandalism on or after 10/1/2023. Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover repairs to their storefront caused by vandalism. To find more information and access the online application visit longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants. | |
BizCare is available by phone, email, or in-person appointment. Call the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249, email 4Biz@longbeach.gov, or request assistance for any kind of small business assistance. BizCare can help with business advising, financial resources, city programs, and more. | |
The City of Long Beach continues to expand its innovative business resources with the launch of its Business Insights Tool, a new, free online resource for local businesses that makes big data accessible for small businesses, allowing them to benchmark performance, optimize marketing, and analyze competitors, suppliers, and underserved markets. The Business Insights tool is now available for entrepreneurs and businesses at longbeach.gov/businessinsights. | |
Take your business to the next level with free online courses, entrepreneurship training, and marketing tools from the Long Beach Public Library. Offering notable and distinguished resources such as Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, the Library offers digital resources to help business owners (and their employees) upskill and lead a successful business. The digital resources are completely free with your library card. Visit the LBPL Digital Library page to get started! | |
Become a Certified Green Business | |
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The Department of Economic Development will now be certifying businesses for the Green Business Program. Started in Long Beach in 2018 under the Office of Sustainability, the Green Business Program allows businesses to demonstrate their commitment to creating healthier communities and environments. The program provides free technical assistance to businesses to help them implement more sustainable practices. Our staff will support you through the process and connect you with all the resources you'll need to get certified.
This program is available to all Long Beach businesses and non-profits and is free of charge. Businesses that complete the required measures will receive their Green Business Certification good for three years. Businesses can save on utility costs and create a workplace culture that values sustainability. In addition, businesses will have access to marketing materials and gain recognition through the City of Long Beach and California Green Business Network as a Certified Green Business.
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The Certified Blue Restaurant (CBR) program supports and recognizes the outstanding Long Beach restaurants that achieve exceptional water efficiency in our community. Interested restaurants can enroll below to receive a no-cost, on-site efficiency survey, free water-efficient devices (if eligible), and an assessment for other possible rebates. Enroll your restaurant for the Certified Blue Restaurant Program. | |
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Every year, the Port of Long Beach needs small businesses to partner with, to build, maintain, and service the 2nd largest Port in the United States. Small businesses earn millions of dollars as primes and/or sub-contractors on Port contracts.
Small business opportunities are available for a variety of contract types, such as construction, supplies, landscaping, recycling services, technology hardware, software, and even food services. Visit the Port’s Business Opportunities Overview webpage to download a sampling of products/services procured by each Port division.
Port of Long Beach Small Business Enterprise / Very Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program
The main goal of the SBE/VSBE Program is to promote the participation of SBEs and VSBEs on Port contracts and procurements, via prime and subcontracting opportunities. The Port has a 27% annual department-wide goal which is achieved by setting minimum SBE and VSBE participation goals for applicable construction and professional services contracts, and bureau-wide and/or division-wide SBE/VSBE goals on applicable purchases. Learn more about the Port’s SBE/VSBE Program at polb.com/sbe.
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Long Beach Procurement Platform "Long Beach Buys" | |
The City of Long Beach has launched Long Beach Buys, a new purchasing platform and marketplace that is free for all businesses and organizations seeking to do business with the City. Long Beach Buys is part of the City’s Extreme Procurement Makeover initiative, which aims to enhance the City’s procurement process to be more efficient, results-driven, equitable, and sustainable. | |
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The LB Resource Line is a hotline that supports anyone in Long Beach who needs help finding local, City and community resources. Calls are answered Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also submit your contact information through our Assistance Request Form.
Connect with trained Resource Navigators for assistance with:
- Housing
- Food Access
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Legal Aid
- Mental and Physical Health
- & more!
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Whether you are looking to create digital marketing assets for the first time or you need to level up your current efforts, CSULB is here to help your small business grow! This program will work with CSULB students enrolled in Marketing 437: Digital Marketing and Media to create customized digital marketing materials to boost your business for free. Students will assist in creating marketing material such as website creation, email marketing, and social media marketing. | |
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Contact the City of Long Beach BizCare Hotline for Immediate Assistance:
Phone number: 562-570-4BIZ (4249)
Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City staff will respond to voicemails made after business hours within 24 hours.
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