November 18, 2022

Long Beach Mayor-Elect Rex Richardson Declares Victory in Long Beach Mayoral Race


Rex Richardson declared victory in the race for Long Beach Mayor on November 15, 2022. Richardson will become Long Beach’s first African American Mayor at his swearing-in on December 20, 2022. He holds a lead of 55.29% over Councilmember Suzie Price’s 44.71% in the semi-final results reported by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk.


For more information, please click HERE

Johnny Vallejo is the New Deputy Director of the Economic Development Department!


Johnny Vallejo has been appointed as Deputy Director of Economic Development. Mr. Vallejo has served the City since 2003, most recently as Acting Director for the Department. As Deputy Director, he will primarily support the Department’s real estate and business operations functions, including managing Pier H, the Queen Mary and the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.


Over the past 18 years, Mr. Vallejo has served the City in various capacities, including Development Project Manager, Property Services Officer, Business Operations Manager, and as Acting Director. As Acting Director, Mr. Vallejo oversaw the execution of several key projects including new management agreements for both the Queen Mary and Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, and the disposition of Community Hospital for future development.


“This Department is special. It provides so many different opportunities to serve the community. Whether it’s helping small businesses, supporting our community workforce, growing industry clusters, or facilitating complex real estate transactions, this Department makes an impact throughout Long Beach,” said Vallejo.


Mr. Vallejo holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nebraska, a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona, and has participated in Leadership Long Beach. He and his wife are proud parents to six children. His appointment is effective immediately.


City Council Approves New 226-Home River Park Development Near Los Angeles River


On November 15, Council approved a housing development along the Los Angeles River. The project includes 74 two-story single-family homes, 99- tow-story row townhomes, and 53 carriage townhomes, which could bring 226 new homes to the area. A dozen of the housing will be reserved for very-low income buyers, which is $59,500 for a family of four.


Additionally, the project will include improvements to the existing Baker Street Park, which will get a new bathroom. A new traffic signal on Wardlow Road will be installed to allow residents to safely enter and exit the housing development.



For more information, please click HERE

Long Beach Transit Looks Forward to Expanded Service, Green Fleet Next Year


In early 2023, Long Beach will add 20 electric-operating buses, bringing its total number up to 44 electric buses. The addition of its new electric battery-operated buses, which at 35 feet, are smaller than the standard 40-feet buses, will allow Long Beach Transit to extend its services, particularly in smaller, denser neighborhoods throughout the city such as in Alamitos Bay.


Long Beach Transit first began its efforts to transition to electric buses in 2016 and is aiming to operate a fully zero-emissions fleet by 2035. They currently have 24 chargers for recharging and one for training purposes. They are beginning to implement more necessary charging stations as every bus will require nightly charging.



For more information, please click HERE

Support the Long Beach Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Campaign


Long Beach Rescue Mission will be opening its doors to homeless and hungry guests this year and expressed their need for 54,000 Thanksgiving meals. Their goal for this month is to acquire enough supplies for 18,000 meals by Thanksgiving. On November 23, they serve dinner to the public from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Thanksgiving Day, brunch will be served at 10 a.m. to Long Beach residents.


Their Meals For Hungry Neighbors initiative allows people to donate a meal to someone in need. A $2.20 donation covers one meal but can also lead to nights of safe boarding, warm clothes, toiletries, and recovery options for struggling members of the Long Beach community. 


For more information, please click HERE

Industry Links


Rocket Lab-Launched Satellite Reaches Lunar Orbit; Artemis I Blast off from Florida


Ground Education Grows Gardening Program with New LBUSD Funding



Long Beach Voters to Weigh $25 Minimum Wage for Health Care Employees in March 2024

 

For more information, please contact Mary Frances Torres, SR/WA, Acting Real Estate Development Bureau Manager, Economic Development Department, at mary.torres@longbeach.gov.