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.
Governor Newsom Announces Immediate Assistance for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Including Temporary Tax Relief and $500 Million in Grants
The state continues to support businesses throughout the pandemic, including through the Main Street Hiring Tax Credit, which authorizes $100 million in hiring tax credit for qualified small businesses. The credit is equal to $1,000 per qualified employee, up to $100,000 for each small business employer. The application opened December 1. A full list of existing state support for businesses can be found here.

Building on the state’s ongoing support throughout the pandemic, which can be found here, the Governor announced the following immediate support and relief:
 
Tax Relief for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

In April 2020, the Governor, through Executive Order, allowed taxpayers to apply for penalty and interest relief for 90 days for any taxpayer reporting less than $1 million in sales on their tax return. Through November 22nd, some 9,287 plans with almost $149 million in tax relief have taken advantage of this program.
 
The Governor will direct the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to do the following:

  • Temporary tax relief that will support businesses impacted by COVID-19, including an automatic three-month extension for taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax and interest-free payment agreements to larger companies with up to $5 million in sales tax and expanded interest-free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations based on COVID-19 transmissions.The total tax relief, if fully utilized, is estimated to have billions in impact.

  • Broaden opportunities for more businesses to enter into interest-free payment arrangements.

  • Expand interest-free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations based on COVID-19 transmissions. 

$500 Million for New COVID Relief Grant for Small Business

The Governor announced the creation of a $500 million COVID Relief Grant administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID and the health and safety restrictions. Funds would be awarded to selected intermediaries with established networks of Community Development Financial Institutions to distribute relief through grants of up to $25,000 to underserved micro and small businesses throughout the state by early 2021. Non-profits would also be eligible for these grants. CalOSBA is establishing the program and will make it available to small businesses as soon as possible - for updates on availability visit here.
 
Increase Funding for the California Rebuilding Fund by $12.5 million

The Governor announced the opening of the California Rebuilding Fund which makes available $25 million to help impacted small businesses rebuild from the economic crisis and keep local economies strong. This program is built to be a resource in the market for the next year as businesses pivot and recover. 
 
An increase of $12.5 million would allow the Fund to be fully capitalized. The additional funding will help the 3rd party administrator of the fund raise $125 million to make more low-interest loans to small businesses with less access to loans from traditional banking institutions. Additionally, the $12.5 million added to the California Rebuilding Fund, will bring the total investment to $37.5 million. These efforts are informed by recommendations made by the Governor's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery.
 
Los Angeles County Launches Grant Program to Help Restaurants Impacted by COVID-19 Restrictions
The Keep Los Angeles County Dining Grant Program officially begins December 3, 2020, allowing eligible eateries -- excluding those in the cities of Los Angeles and Pasadena -- to receive up to $30,000 in assistance for employee payroll, capital to continue operations, payment of outstanding business expenses and adaptive business practices needed to remain open. 
A total of roughly $5.6 million is available, split among the county's five supervisorial districts. 

Preference will be given to restaurants that provided outdoor dining as of Nov. 24, according to the county. The program will be operated by the Los Angeles County Development Authority(LACDA).
LACDA officials said restaurant owners who apply must demonstrate that their business was impacted by COVID-19 through hardship due to closure and a reduction in revenue.

Businesses that have already received assistance from other Los Angeles County Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act programs are not eligible.

The application period will open the morning of Thursday, December 3,2020 and remain open through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2020 or until 2,500 applications are received, whichever comes first.

Additional program information is available at keeplacountydining.lacda.org or by calling 626-943-3833.
Free PPE for LA County Small Businesses
The County of Los Angeles continues to offer a PPE program called “PPE Unite” to distribute free 30-day supplies of face masks, hand-sanitizer, and face shields to eligible small businesses in LA County.
 
This is a joint effort between State, local, and private entities, and is easy to sign up for. To apply go to www.ppeunite.org.

To be eligible:
  • You must operate a small business with less than 50 employees
  • Your business must be located in Los Angeles County
  • You must operate as a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, C or S-Corp, or micro-business
  • You have not received any PPE through this program in the past
Upcoming Workshops
LA SBDC Workshops Hosted by Long Beach City College
SBDC Legal Entity Workshop
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
10am to 11:30am
 
This in-depth webinar addresses a multitude of important topics regarding legal entities and other important decisions you will need to make as a business owner. One of the first decisions will include how the company will be structured. Because of this, we will cover the basics of regulatory filings that permit new owners to properly set up entities in California. To register, please click here.
 
Understanding Your Financials
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
5pm to 6:30pm
 
Do you receive financial statements from your accountant and not understand what those documents are telling you about the condition of your business? This seminar will help you understand the real purpose of financial reports such as Profit Loss statements and Balance Sheets and how to use these reports to more effectively manage your business. In addition, we will show you how to use a simple cash flow model that will help you do a better job of managing your cash. To register, please click here.
 
Live Q&A: All About Social Media For Your Business
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
2pm to 3:15pm
 
Are you overwhelmed by Social Media marketing? Are you posting but not seeing likes convert to sales? Join the Long Beach SBDC for our Live Social Media Q&A, addressing questions on how to effectively use social media to grow your business. SBDC Marketing and Social Media advisor Deborah Deras, and Brad Pollak, Director of the Long Beach SBDC, will interact live with the audience via Zoom and answer questions covering a broad range of social media topics including how to clarify social media marketing goals, how to structure your messaging, which social media platforms to be on, how to schedule posts on various platforms, where to find great content, and more. To register, please click here.
 
The Rent Relief Conversation: Productive ways tenants and landlords can work together for a beneficial outcome
Thursday, December 10, 2020
11am to 12:30pm
 
Difficult conversations are…well…difficult! Especially when it feels like we are sure to get a “NO!” Never before has it been so necessary to have not only difficult conversations but have them in a manner that produces a beneficial outcome for all parties. Rent is one of the largest expenses for a business and paying rent when the revenue streams are dried up can become insurmountable.
 
In this workshop, we will walk you through templates designed to support you in the following ways:
 
Calculating:
· Your cost of occupancy
· Your future projections
· Your payback ability
· Your options
Presenting:
· Your situation
· Your plan to move forward
· Your total overall Rent Relief needs
Next Steps:
· Finalizing proposals
· Negotiating
· Moving forward
 
To register, please click here.
Due to the COVID-19 Safer-at-Home restrictions, all LA SBDC workshops are being offered online only.

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.