City of Long Beach Business Brief
Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news.
Delivery Fee Cap Ordinance
The Long Beach City Council voted Tuesday to cap third-party services charging food delivery fees. The new Delivery Fee Cap Ordinance will cap the fees charged to restaurants at 15% and put other restrictions on delivery services like GrubHub, Uber Eats, DoorDash and Postmates. Limiting fees could help restauranteurs hold onto more of their revenue. Some businesses reported delivery apps charging up to 30% in fees.

Benefits to the new ordinance include:

  • Caps the total fees that 3rd party online delivery service platforms can charge at 15%.
  • Saves restaurants money.
  • Saves food customers money.

The urgency ordinance became effective Tuesday, January 19, 2020 and will continue for 90-days when the Council will consider ending or continuing the ordinance.
Food Sector Workers to be Vaccinated in Coming Days
This week the City of Long Beach began the rollout of vaccinations for food sector workers. Appointments for the week of Jan. 19 already are full, but food sector workers are encouraged to check with their employers or sign up for updates using the City’s new online vaccination portal, VaxLB. 
 
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is currently in the process of contacting food sector employers, including grocery stores and restaurants. The vaccinations will take place at the mass vaccination clinic at the Long Beach Convention Center. Appointments are required. 
 
The City of Long Beach continues to administer vaccines as they become available. Vaccinations have been administered to hospital workers, frontline City health workers, emergency medical personnel, Long Beach Fire Department firefighters and EMTs. The City recently kicked off Phase 1B of the vaccine roll-out plan when other City employees critical to COVID-19 emergency response efforts received the vaccine. Vaccinations of older adults began on Saturday, January 16. Food workers will be vaccinated as more vaccine becomes available.
 
Proof of current employment in Long Beach, such as a recent pay stub from the past 30 days, ID or employer letter on official letterhead, will be required for essential workers to receive their vaccines at this time. For those who work outside of Long Beach, proof of current food sector employment plus proof of residency in Long Beach, such as a piece of mail, will be required. Those without proper documentation will be turned away. Drivers who deliver food via apps such as GrubHub, Instacart and UberEats are not part of this phase and will be included in the transportation group. 
 
All Long Beach residents are encouraged to register with VaxLB. The VaxLB portal makes the process of learning about and scheduling COVID-19 vaccines easier and more transparent. By visiting longbeach.gov/vaxLB, people will be able to sign up to be notified when it’s their turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The portal provides information, including self-service appointment booking, as vaccine becomes available, for people who are eligible to be vaccinated. The site and sign-up form are available in English, Spanish, Tagalog and Khmer. 
 
Individuals with additional questions may call 562.570.INFO (4636), option 6, or email COVID19Vaccine@longbeach.gov.
 
To date, 21,644 vaccines have been administered in Long Beach. All vaccines are administered free of charge and have been provided directly by the federal government.
 
The Health Department is managing the vaccine distribution and dispensing process in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the State of California. Vaccines are being allocated to the City by employment and are being made available to individuals in two phases with sub-phases and tiered sub-prioritization until more vaccines become available. People with access to the vaccine appointment link but who are not qualified under the current phase, and essential workers who do not work in Long Beach, will not be vaccinated at this time. 
 
Additional details about the City’s vaccine rollout plan are available on the City’s website. The City urges individuals to be aware of COVID-19 vaccination scams and report suspicious activity.

Small Business Virtual Forum
Join tomorrow's moderated paneled conversation, focused on diverse community based businesses, funding opportunities, loans and grant help. This forum will share ways to help sustain and grow your business during this time and assist demystifying the loan application process with a Q & A.

Panelists include: TMC Community Capital, LISC LA, Inclusive Action, CDC Small Business Finance, Opportunity Fund and Jewish Free Loan Association

English Session: January 22, 2021 | 9:30-10:30 AM
Sesion en Espanol: 22 de enero | 11:00-12:00 PM

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3ihPhyF
GO-Biz Now Accepting Applications for California Competes Tax Credits 
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is still accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). 

There are $80 million in tax credits available during this application period for businesses that are expanding and adding quality, full-time jobs in California that might not otherwise be created by the business or any other business. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, January 25, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) the online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed at www.calcompetes.ca.gov. 

Members of the CCTC team are available to provide technical application assistance. In addition, an updated application guide, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and program regulations are available at www.business.ca.gov/california-competes-tax-credit. 

If you have any questions regarding the CCTC program or application process, please call (916) 322-4051 or email CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov.
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.