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In This Edition:
- Grow Long Beach Updates
- Hire Youth This Summer
- Cambodian Restaurant Week
- New BizCare PopUp Location for June and July
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Watch the Grow Long Beach update from Economic Development Director Bo Martinez to learn about the future plans and current initiatives to grow our local economy and transition away from the City budget reliance on fossil fuel revenue.
On January 10, 2023, in his inaugural State of the City address, Mayor Rex Richardson outlined key strategies to grow the local economy and identify pathways to sustainably transition from oil production. This is an update on key strategies, policies, and benchmarks to:
- Propel the growth of key sectors in Long Beach
- Secure Long Beach's financial future
- Support the recruitment, growth, retention and successes in the City's economy
- Expand City's tax base and good paying jobs to offset oil production revenues, and
- Bolster and grow key industry sectors in Long Beach.
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At no cost to the business, Pacific Gateway trains youth workers and pays their wages and workers compensation. Take advantage of this opportunity by registering your interest in hosting local youth and adults for valuable Work Experience. By completing this interest form, you can contribute to the growth and development of individuals while strengthening your organization.
For assistance with the form, reach out to BizCare Team at 562-570-4249 or via email at 4Biz@longbeach.gov. Let's work together to create opportunities for the next generation!
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Celebrate Cambodian Restaurant Week from June 2nd – June 9th with a kickoff event on the 2nd at F&M Bank 3140 E. Anaheim St! Support local Cambodian food-based businesses on this week and get a taste of Cambodian culture! Visit the Cambodian Restaurant Week website to learn more about businesses participating! | |
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Our BizCare Team will be at a new location for the month of June and July!
Come visit the BizCare Pop-Ups for in-person business assistance on Thursdays at various locations throughout the city. Find the Popup's latest schedule at longbeach.gov/bizcare. Pop-Up services are delivered in English, Spanish, and Khmer. 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.
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Small Business Week 2024 Resources Recap | Did you catch Small Business Week? Although it's over, our resources are still available! Come join us on our social media pages to view a plethora of resources shared, all designed to empower entrepreneurs like you and fuel business growth. Dive into our past posts, tap into our expertise and visit our social media to learn more. | |
Upcoming Events and Workshops | |
Join the Long Beach Public Library for a free workshop where you'll learn how to use Reference Solutions to identify suppliers and customers, create marketing lists, and research industry competitors. The City of Long Beach BizCare team will also be available to answer questions and offer resources on small business grants, loans, City policies, and more. Registration is required but walk-ins are welcome if space permits. The same workshop will be hosted at two separate times and library locations | |
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The Port of Long Beach kicks off new “drop-in” office hours for small and diverse business enterprises seeking assistance with potential contracting opportunities at the Port.
The Port of Long Beach is proud to announce office hours on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for small and diverse businesses looking to explore contracting opportunities at the Port, or requesting assistance with small business enterprise or disadvantaged business enterprise opportunities. Office hours will occur at the Port of Long Beach Administration Building on the first floor, located at 415 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA.
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Visit the BizCare Pop-Ups for in-person business assistance on Thursdays at different locations throughout the city. Find the Popup's latest schedule at longbeach.gov/bizcare. Pop-Up services are delivered in English, Spanish, and Khmer. 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. | |
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. | |
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 10/1/2022. 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. | |
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The City of Long Beach launched the Inclusive Business Navigators Program to provide outreach, workshops, education, and direct technical assistance for local small businesses and nonprofits to support their economic recovery from financial hardships and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City previously sought partners to administer the Inclusive Business Navigators Program to support equitable economic recovery for Long Beach small businesses and nonprofits. The City selected vendors including CentroCHA, UCC, April Parker, and RightSource Services to provide outreach and assistance to local businesses. More information on these vendors and assistance available can be found at longbeach.gov/biznavigators. Businesses can also access assistance through this program through the BizCare Hotline: 562.570.4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov.
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The Commercial Corridor Façade Improvement Program (CCFIP) will provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to commercial property owners to significantly improve the appearance of the entire façade of their property that is visible from the street.
Visit the program webpage for more information and eligibility requirements.
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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. | |
Take your business to the next level with free online courses, entrepreneurship training, and marketing tools from the Digital Library. Offering notable and distinguished resources such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning, the Digital Library contains an invaluable wealth of knowledge to help business owners (and their employees) upskill and lead a successful business. The Digital Library is free for all LBPL cardholders. Sign up for a library card to access these Digital Library Resource. | |
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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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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