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 data dashboard showcasing local homelessness data, including demographics of people experiencing homelessness and data on the various housing and support services offered by the City. The dashboard is part of the City’s commitment to aiding the most vulnerable members of the Long Beach community and will serve as an accountability platform that will provide timely, transparent data to the public.
The dashboard will be used to further inform the City’s ongoing efforts to address the homelessness crisis and support the City’s mission to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by increasing housing opportunities, enhancing current initiatives and addressing and improving overall public safety for the entire community.
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The City of Long Beach invites the community to take the Food Truck Survey, now available at longbeach.gov/foodtrucks. The City is committed to supporting food truck entrepreneurial opportunities, while also addressing the needs and concerns of residents, business owners, current food truck operators and other key stakeholders.
The City is seeking various perspectives on current food truck operations and on the frequency and location of food truck operations seen in Long Beach. Now through Sunday, April 2, 2023, community members may complete the survey online. More updates on the sidewalk vendor regulation efforts can be found by visiting longbeach.gov/sidewalkvending.
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The Launch Program provides women and non-binary small business owners capital through a $10,000 grant, mentorship from industry experts, and six months of free education that supports them on their unique journeys. The 2023 Launch Program is open to women- and non-binary-owned consumer packaged goods businesses—selling items like food and beverages, household goods, apparel, and more.
The deadline to apply for the 2023 Launch Program is Friday, March 31, 2023.
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Emergency Food And Shelter Program and Shelter Improvement Initiative | |
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The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Phase 40 Request for Proposals (RFP) will fund up to $5.9M in locally administered federal funding to local food and shelter providers. Through Phase 40, eligible applicants can request funds in any of the following EFSP funding categories. EFSP Phase 40 applications will be accepted through March 23, 2023.
United Way’s Shelter Improvement Request for Proposals (RFP) will award an estimated $2.5M in philanthropic grant funding to support physical site upgrades at existing interim shelter sites that operate on a year-round basis in Los Angeles County. Funds will be available for request across the following two categories. Shelter Improvement RFP applications will be accepted through March 23, 2023.
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If you are interested in applying for either of these grant opportunities, please visit www.unitedwayla.org/grantseekers to download a copy of each Request for Proposals, learn about upcoming RFP information sessions, and submit an application. | |
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LA County’s Department of Economic Opportunity offers more than $54 million in grants to the business and nonprofit community. Potential grantees may be awarded between $2,500 and $25,000 with Phase 1 starting on January 25, 2023.
Grant applications are now open for microbusinesses, small businesses and nonprofits. Applications will be open until funds are exhausted.
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The City of Long Beach announced the availability of grant funds through the Visual Improvement Program Grant, which will support local businesses impacted by crime and vandalism on or after Oct. 1, 2022. This program aims to ease the burden of property crimes and vandalism for small businesses throughout the city, with property crimes as a whole increasing from 2021 to 2022. A total of $350,000 will be available, repurposed from Long Beach Recovery Act funds.
Applications now open, with more information and online application available at longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants. Applications will remain open until funding is exhausted. Grant awards will be issued on a rolling basis to eligible applicants. VIP Grant activities will be tracked through, reported on, and communicated via the Long Beach Recovery Act website. For more information, visit the Long Beach Recovery Act website at longbeach.gov/recovery/reporting-data/.
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The Commercial Corridor Façade Improvement Program (CCFIP) will provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to commercial property owners to significantly improve the appearance of the entire façade of their property that is visible from the street.
Visit the program webpage for more information and eligibility requirements.
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Upcoming Events and Workshops | |
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Visit the BizCare Pop-Ups for in-person business assistance on Thursdays at different locations throughout the city. Find the PopUps latest schedule at longbeach.gov/bizcare. Pop-Up services are delivered in English, Spanish, and Khmer.
Need help, but can't make it to a pop-up? BizCare is available by phone, email, or in-person appointment. Call the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249, email 4Biz@longbeach.gov, or request assistance.
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The City of Long Beach launched the Inclusive Business Navigators Program to provide outreach, workshops, education and direct technical assistance for local small businesses and nonprofits to support their economic recovery from financial hardships and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City previously sought partners to administer the Inclusive Business Navigators Program to support equitable economic recovery for Long Beach small business and nonprofits. The City selected vendors including CentroCHA, UCC, April Parker, and RightSource Services to provide outreach and assistance to local businesses. More information on these vendors and assistance available can be found at longbeach.gov/biznavigators. Businesses can also access assistance through this program through the BizCare Hotline: 562.570.4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov.
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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
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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. | |
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Every year, the Port of Long Beach needs small businesses to partner with, to build, maintain and service the 2nd largest Port in the United States. Small businesses earn millions of dollars as primes and/or sub-contractors on Port contracts.
Small business opportunities are available for a variety of contract types, such as construction, supplies, landscaping, recycling services, technology hardware, software and even food services. Visit the Port’s Business Opportunities Overview webpage to download a sampling of products/services procured by each Port division.
Port of Long Beach Small Business Enterprise / Very Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program
The main goal of the SBE/VSBE Program is to promote participation of SBEs and VSBEs on Port contracts and procurements, via prime and subcontracting opportunities. The Port has a 27% annual department-wide goal which is achieved by setting minimum SBE and VSBE participation goals for applicable construction and professional services contracts, and bureau-wide and/or division-wide SBE/VSBE goals on applicable purchases. Learn more about the Port’s SBE/VSBE Program at polb.com/sbe.
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Long Beach Procurement Platform "Long Beach Buys" | |
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. | |
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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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