City of Long Beach Business Brief
August 13, 2021
Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news.
Business License Tax and Fees Grant for Full-Service Restaurants
Applications for the Business License Tax and Fee Grant are still being accepted. The grant will cover certain business license taxes and fees for eligible businesses.

The Business License Tax and Fee Grant will provide financial relief to full-service independently owned restaurants by paying the following business license taxes and fees charged by the City between the period of January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020:

1. Business License Taxes
2. Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessments
3. Health Permit Fees
4. Fire Permit Fees
5. Penalty or late payment fees incurred in the eligible period for the above taxes or fees

Approximately $1.3 million is available for the new program. The maximum grant available per eligible business will depend on the total taxes and fees each business was charged between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.

Information about additional business assistance and resources is available on the City’s Business Support webpage or by contacting the City’s Business Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ(4249)
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, August 20, 2021.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

Eligible entities include:
  • Live venue operators or promoters
  • Theatrical producers
  • Live performing arts organization operators
  • Museum operators
  • Motion picture theater operators (including owners)
  • Talent representatives
 
Other requirements of note:
  • Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
  • Venue or promoter who received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020, will have the SVOG reduced by the PPP loan amount
The City of Long Beach (City), through its contract with “on-call” property management consultants, will conduct work related to the removal, haul away, and disposal of window/storefront coverings (plywood). Work will be paid for by the City and contracted directly with the property management consultants. The estimated value of each grant is estimated between $100 and $600 (maximum) per location, subject to the size of the storefront. Maximum pieces of plywood to be removed, 30 pieces. 

Applications will be accepted until August 30, 2021. The SRBR program will assist applicants on a first-come-first-served basis for the removal of plywood boards only. Any applicants that may require additional storefront repairs in addition to plywood removal may require additional review and experience longer application processing times.
Request for Information (RFI)
for Park Operators & Concessionaires
The City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) Department released a Request for Information (RFI) to increase its understanding of potential vendors in the marketplace who have expertise and experience operating and servicing park spaces with a range of amenities, food, drinks, and programming that are financially self-sufficient that will ultimately attract a wide range of park patrons.
 
The goals of the RFI are to identify potential vendors who can provide concessionaire services that: (1) enhance park users' experience and offer new services at various park locations; (2) generate revenue via a revenue-share that can support PRM services such as park operations and maintenance; and (3) engage well-qualified, experienced business owners to develop, operate, and maintain food and beverage concessions, event spaces, retail, recreation, or other customer-oriented services.
 
Vendors may provide information in addition to what is requested in the RFI if deemed relevant or essential to understanding the market. Vendors are encouraged to suggest mission-aligned visitor-serving services in addition to those described in this opportunity that meet the goals listed.
 
The RFI process is an informal process and is open to all interested parties. Responses will provide the City with industry insight, experience, and understanding of industry standards about potential features and capabilities available in the market, and assist in the possible development of a future request for proposals (RFP).

Are you a registered vendor? 

The City of Long Beach utilizes an online registration and bidding system, PlanetBids, to notify businesses and nonprofits of various bid opportunities, news, and updates. Registered vendors companies and nonprofits will receive customized emails notifying them of specific bids opportunities and provide them with the ability to search and download documents.

CA Small Business Relief Grant
The Office of the Small Business Advocate announced new funding rounds for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, makes California’s small business relief program the largest in the country.

The funding will support small businesses and nonprofits that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.New applications will be accepted starting September 9th.
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.