Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news. | | |
|
In celebration of Earth Month, the City of Long Beach will host a series of fun, free and family-friendly events for residents to enjoy all month long. Earth Day began in 1970 to bring attention to environmental issues and has since spread to weeklong events and celebrations around the world. Earth Month activities and events are organized around the 2023 theme, “Invest in Our Planet.”
To commemorate Earth Month 2023, the City has published an Earth Month calendar at www.longbeach.gov/earthmonth promoting a series of community activities and events throughout the month of April.
Businesses can receive technical assistance and recognition to reduce their environmental impact through the Green Business Program.
| |
|
Get assistance with LA County's Economic Opportunity Grant Application from BizCare and the SBDC. Thursday, April 20, 10am-3pm at Long Beach City College PCC Campus (1305 E. Pacific Coast Hwy). Register today!
Grants are open for Microbusinesses through May 5, and for Small Businesses and Nonprofits through May 20. Apply today at https://eog.smallbizla.org/
| |
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help small businesses grow and create jobs by providing them with greater access to education, capital, and business support services. To learn more and apply visit the application website. Deadline for the fall program is May 15, 2023 | |
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. Phase 1 will be closing on May 5, 2023. Grant applications are now open for microbusinesses, small businesses and nonprofits. Applications will be open until funds are exhausted. | |
 | |
The City of Long Beach Development Services Department is in the process of developing its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Action Plan (Plan). The Plan will provide a one-year strategy for meeting the goals outlined in the City’s five-year Consolidated Plan, which identifies the programs and services for those living in poverty that are prioritized and funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants. The community is invited to participate in two meetings to learn more about the effort and provide feedback.
The Long Beach Community Investment Company Public Hearing
-
Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 4 p.m.
- Attend in person: Long Beach City Hall, The Beach Conference Room, 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor
-
Attend virtually: bit.ly/TheLBCIC
Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in a community meeting presented by the City’s Development Services Department and a public hearing, which will be hosted by The Long Beach Community Investment Company, the City’s non-profit affiliate. The events will feature different presentations and community members are encouraged to attend both to learn more and provide input.
| |
|
The City announced more than $10 million in funding has been awarded to support local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Small Businesses and Nonprofit Relief Grants included the Restaurant, Brewery and Bar Relief Grant; Personal Services and Fitness Relief Grant; Small Business Relief Grant and the Nonprofit Relief Grant.
“Small businesses are what make our community so vibrant and are the backbone of our local economy,” said Economic Development Director Bo Martinez. “We are proud of these results from the largest grant programs the City has ever run for small businesses, and we are committed to supporting Long Beach’s small businesses in their continued recovery and future success.”
Additional program data is available on the Long Beach Recovery Act website at longbeach.gov/recovery.
| |
|
The City is now accepting applications for the First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program. Apply to receive up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance grants! This program is designed to assist low- and moderate-income families traditionally underrepresented in homeownership with purchasing their first home and building multi-generational wealth. This means that there are a few requirements for eligibility.
Applicants must be first-time homebuyers presently residing within a federal Community Development Block Grant designated census tract in Long Beach and meet other requirements to qualify. Confirm your eligibility by completing a pre-application self-screening form. For more information, please visit longbeach.gov/lbhomegrant.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
Upcoming Events and Workshops | |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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/.
| |
|
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 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. | |
|
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.
| |
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. | |
|
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.
| |
411 W. Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 570-4249
| | | | |
