City of Long Beach Business Brief 4.9.21 |
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Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news. |
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The City of Long Beach has launched a new COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan Program, providing Long Beach businesses and residents adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic the opportunity to pay outstanding balances over time.
The Long Beach COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan Program, developed by City staff and approved by the Long Beach City Council on March 9, is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to providing support and resources to businesses and residents critically impacted by the pandemic. The program allows eligible participants the opportunity to pay interest-free and penalty-free payments for up to 18 months for the following:
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Business-Related & General Fees – Long Beach residents and businesses can apply for payment plan assistance for business taxes and other general fees (including but not limited to business license fees, false alarm fees, health fees and police board-up fees) billed between March 16, 2020, and June 30, 2021. The enrollment period will run July 1 through August 13, 2021. For more information, business owners and residents may email FM-CityCollections@longbeach.gov or call 562.570.7600.
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Parking Citations – This program is for people who have incurred parking citations and lack the resources to pay the fines. Qualifying residents can apply for payment plan assistance for all parking citations issued between March 16, 2020, and March 31, 2021, and the City will create individualized payment plans that do not include late fees or interest charges for up to 18 months. The enrollment period runs April 1 through May 17, 2021. For more information, people may email FM-ParkingCitation@longbeach.gov or call 562.570.6822.
In addition to the new COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan Program, the City has also extended existing deferral and relief programs for Long Beach businesses and residents.
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Governor Newsom Outlines the State’s Next Step in the COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery, Moving Beyond the Blueprint |
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As California surpasses a major milestone in the fight against COVID — administering more than 20 million vaccine doses, including 4 million in the state’s hardest-hit communities, and with hospitalizations continuing to steadily decline — Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the state’s next step in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met:
- If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and
- If hospitalization rates are stable and low
Everyday activities will be allowed and businesses can open with common-sense risk reduction measures, including encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated and mandating masking, to prevent illness and promote health. The state will continue contact tracing and testing to detect cases early and contain spread of the virus. The entire state will move into this new phase as a whole. The state will monitor hospitalization rates, vaccine access and vaccine efficacy against variants, with the option to revisit the June 15 date if needed.
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City of Long Beach’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) |
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The City of Long Beach is developing its first-ever Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), and we want you to be a part of the process. The CAAP will help to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prepare the community for the impacts of climate change, improve the quality of life, and enhance economic vitality in Long Beach. Long Beach strives to be a more sustainable and resilient city in the face of climate change impacts such as air pollution, extreme heat, drought, coastal storm surge, and sea level rise.
The CAAP will provide a framework for creating or updating policies, programs, practices, and incentives for Long Beach residents and businesses to reduce the City's GHG footprint, and ensure the community and physical assets are better protected from the impacts of climate change. Engaging those who live, work, and play in Long Beach is essential to creating an effective and successful CAAP. Residents, business owners, students, and other community stakeholders are encouraged to get involved by providing input and sharing ideas, priorities, and solutions to help establish and achieve the City's climate goals.
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#LitterFreeLB Challenge for Earth Month |
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The Office of Sustainability is partnering with Grades of Green for a #LitterFreeLB Challenge. Doranelly Real Gabino is a local 8th-grade student leader who is passionate about fighting litter in Long Beach, and she's challenging Green Businesses and their customers to pick-up litter one or more days in April as part of her project for Grades of Green, a local nonprofit.
Long Beach Green Businesses have signed up to spread the word to employees and customers about the challenge. Some businesses are pairing their outreach with an incentive to encourage their customers to participate. The business that encourages the most participation will earn the title of #LitterFreeLB Champion.
Challenge Period: From April 1st to April 25th, winners announced on April 27th.
How to Participate: Pick up litter, post a photograph of the haul to Instagram and tag or mention your favorite Long Beach Green Business. Posts should include the business name, hashtag #LitterFreeLB, and the handles @LBSustainability and @GradesofGreen. Each participant's post will be counted oncer per day.
Participants can also email photos with the name of the businesses they want to support at sustainability@longbeach.gov
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Ascend Los Angeles Management Program |
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2021 Ascend LA Applications are open until April 14th!
Directed by the Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business at LMU, Ascend LA’s Management Education Program will be taught by the College’s leading faculty members from the major disciplines including Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Management, and Accounting. A group of industry professionals and mentors will complement the training program with their invaluable industry expertise.
The 12-session training program focuses on entrepreneurial competence, business foundation, and access to capital to enable our participating businesses to accelerate growth and acquire corporate and government contracts.
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LA county has partnered with LISC LA to distribute $4.7 million in grants to personal care and retail sector small businesses in need of financial support due to COVID-19.
Eligible business must:
- Have an annual revenue under $1M in the personal care and retail sectors
- Have documented financial hardship as a result of COVID-19
- Have NOT received COVID-19 relief funds from the County in 2021
Grant Winners will be chosen through a randomized application system. Applicants who meet the following criteria will be weighted more heavily in the system:
- Veteran-owned
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Located in a CALEnviroScreen Map community with a 90% health hazard range
- Located in County Districts with higher poverty rates, lower educational attainment, and lower median income.
Applications opens 12AM April 5, 2021 and close on April 11, 2021 at 11:59 PM.
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Small Business Microgrant Opportunity |
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United Cambodian Community(UCC) has opened a microgrant opportunity available for small businesses in Long Beach. UCC is a multi-service agency providing youth development, workforce development, gang prevention, and mental health services to address the changing needs of the growing Cambodian population in Long Beach.
The Small Business Microgrant Opportunity is currently only opened to businesses located in Long Beach.
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The Entrepreneurship & Small Business Education Series is a partnership between the IIE and the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA). The series is focused on providing the tools and skills needed to start and run a successful business for existing and potential downtown business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small business owners. Certificates will be provided to those who complete the entire program. A pitch opportunity on June 1st will offer selected businesses seed funding. Award Guidelines (PDF)
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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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411 W. Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 570-4249
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