City of Long Beach Business Brief
August 6, 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
The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for the Business License Tax and Fee Grant. 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 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. 

We will be accepting applications from July 28, 2021, to 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.
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.
SBA Announces Opening of Paycheck Protection Program Direct Forgiveness Portal
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA. 

This new change will help rush relief to over 6.5 million smallest of small businesses which has been the Administrator’s priority since day one. The new forgiveness platform began accepting applications from borrowers on August 4th, 2021. Lenders are required to opt-in to this program through https://directforgiveness.sba.gov. In addition to the technology platform, the SBA is standing up a PPP customer service team to answer questions and directly assist borrowers with their forgiveness applications. Borrowers that need assistance or have questions should call (877) 552-2692, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST.

You're Invited: Long Beach Augmented Reality (AR) Exhibition
Please join the City of Long Beach for the first ever Long Beach Augmented Reality (AR) Exhibition in Downtown Long Beach on Sunday, August 8.
Over the past two months, over 20 artists and augmented reality developers have created Instagram AR experiences that imagine new ways of visualizing Long Beach's past, present, and future. 

Immerse yourself in the world of augmented reality right here in Downtown Long Beach. The Promenade and nearby streets will be filled with interactive AR experiences just for you, so bring your smartphone and get in on the fun! Enjoy live music and food and drinks from local restaurants. Vote on your favorite Instagram AR experiences and stay for a prize ceremony where $14,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the best AR experiences. 

The judging panel includes Rosanne Kang Jovanovski of Intertrend, Alan Pullman of Studio 111, Amy Stock of the Kennedy Grace Gallery, Lisa Mae Brunson of Wonder Women Tech, and Rob Kohout of Warner Bros. Studios.

For more information about the AR Challenge visit: https://www.longbeach.gov/smartcity/projects/long-beach-ar-challenge/

All are welcome to attend! No registration required. 
Apply Now to the Long Beach Accelerator's 3rd Cohort
The Long Beach Accelerator is not your typical accelerator. It was established with the entrepreneur in mind with full support from the city, private investors, and CSULB. Program participants have access to $100K in capital to support them through acceleration and expansion. Cohort members have real government access to help navigate through the regulatory maze and provide resources and guidance at every level. They also have access to key university and industry partners and some of the largest markets in the world. The LBA is focused on providing exceptional vision and value to this ecosystem, and in seeking out and supporting companies founded by diverse entrepreneurs.

The Long Beach Accelerator's first and second cohorts, even at this early date, are seeing some enormous traction, from $4.5M+ investment and 2 acquisition offers to very high revenue growth, to development of new strategic contacts and partnerships. With just 5-7 companies per cohort, you get real, hands-on help. The LBA can help startups achieve milestones that increase their value and get to the next level.
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.