Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news.

The Long Beach Water Department is offering a Free Spray Valves Program for Long Beach Restaurants. To register for your free replacement and installation of high efficiency pre-rinse spray valves and faucet aerators, please visit the registration site and complete the form in its entirety.

Following your registration, the LBWD program representative will contact you to schedule your installation. If you require assistance, email waterconservation@lbwater.org

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will host a workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 13, for mobile food vendors, including street food vendors and food truck operators. The workshop will provide information about obtaining a Long Beach Health Permit as well as upcoming changes to the California Retail Food Code.

The Health Permit Workshop will take place from 10am. to 1pm. on Tuesday, December 13, at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave). People can RSVP by calling 562.570.4132 or emailing EnvironmentalHealth@longbeach.gov. RSVP is appreciated, but not required. Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog interpreters will be on site during the workshop. 

Atlantic Aviation broke ground today on a $14 million development to create an additional 30,000-square-feet of high-end hangar space and 3,000-square-feet of adjoining office space at their facility at Long Beach Airport (LGB). The environmentally sustainable design includes rooftop solar panels over approximately 38,000 square feet of hangars, estimated to generate more than 1.1 million kilowatts (kW) of solar power per year. Read the press release to learn more about Atlantic Aviation.

The next California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) application period starts Tuesday, January 3, 2023, with $120 million in available tax credits. Businesses interested in applying can register to view a live webinar explaining the application process.

The deadline to submit applications is Monday, January 23, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. and the online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed starting January 3, 2023, at www.calcompetes.ca.gov.

The City of Long Beach continues to encourage residents to support local businesses in Long Beach this holiday season. Shopping local supports our local economy and the diverse business owners that enrich our community as well as reducing your environmental footprint. Learn more about Shop Small Long Beach.

The City of Long Beach recently launched its new Long Beach Collaboratory (LB Co-Lab), to engage residents with civic technology design and equip them with technology skills to thrive in our “smart” economy. The LB Co-Lab will engage local Long Beach stakeholders in a collaborative community engagement process to implement new pilot technology projects in four targeted neighborhoods of focus: Hamilton, Ramona Park, Willmore, and the Lower Westside.

This program will ensure the City invests in technology enhancements based on community-identified needs, while also teaching community members about technology design and development! Those interested in participating in the program are encouraged to submit an interest form on the LB Co-Lab webpage.

The City of Long Beach launched the application period for the Long Beach Pledge, the City’s guaranteed income pilot program. The program will provide $500 a month for 12 months to 250 families with children who live in the 90813 zip code, are below 100% of the federal poverty line and have one income earner for their household. The application is open for eligible residents now through Jan. 17, 2023, at 4:59 p.m.

The online application is now open at longbeachpledge.org/apply and is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Applicants without computer or smartphone access may visit a public computer lab at any open Long Beach Public Library location.

The City of Long Beach invites the community to take the Sidewalk Vending Survey, now available at longbeach.gov/sidewalkvending, to provide their input on the future of sidewalk vending in Long Beach. Now through Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, community members may complete the survey online. Those without computer access can visit an open Long Beach Public Library location to take the survey at one of the available public computer labs or complete a paper survey. Both the online and paper surveys are available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. 

For more information, visit longbeach.gov/sidewalkvending. For additional questions, people may call 562.570.6211 or email lbbiz@longbeach.gov with the subject line, “Sidewalk Vending.” 

The Certified Blue Restaurant (CBR) program supports and recognizes the outstanding Long Beach restaurants that achieve exceptional water efficiency in our community. Interested restaurants can enroll below to receive a no-cost, on-site efficiency survey, free water-efficient devices (if eligible), and an assessment for other possible rebates. Enroll your restaurant for the Certified Blue Restaurant Program.

The BizCare Pop-Ups have transitioned to once per week taking place Thursdays at different locations throughout the city. Find the latest schedule at longbeach.gov/bizcare.

Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule an appointment with one of our Pop-Up staff members with services are delivered in English, Spanish, and Khmer: Niyah (English), Rachel (English, Khmer), Ana (English, Spanish), Sam (English, Spanish), Ariel (English, Spanish).

To learn more about the BizCare Pop-Ups or for questions call the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249 or email 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

The City of Long Beach Technology and Innovation Department, in collaboration with nine Long Beach Recovery Act community partners, is re-launching the Free Internet Services and Computing Devices Program. to provide free connectivity, technology, computer literacy training and technical support services to qualified Long Beach residents, businesses and non-profits critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Low-cost internet services, computer resources and free computer literacy training are also available to qualifying Long Beach residents through Human-I-T’s Connect, Equip, and Include Programs. Residents may also qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), that provides people in need with monthly subsidies and device discounts to help them get online and stay connected to the internet. Long Beach residents can text “City of Long Beach” to 562.561.2565, call 888.391.7249 or visit Human-I-T's website for more information.

The City of Long Beach has launched Long Beach Buys, a new purchasing platform and marketplace that is free for all businesses and organizations seeking to do business with the City. Long Beach Buys is part of the City’s Extreme Procurement Makeover initiative, which aims to enhance the City’s procurement process to be more efficient, results-driven, equitable and sustainable.

Join the City of Long Beach Purchasing Division for information on how to do business with the City. These webinars will be held every Third Thursday of the month on Zoom.

The webinar event will feature an overview of contracting processes, a look at Long Beach Buys, the City's online procurement platform, information on business licensing, and a chance to ask questions of City staff. The next webinar will be held Thursday, December 15 at 11am. Register online for the webinar for Doing Business with the City.

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.