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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Small Business Week is coming soon! The Economic Development Department will be sharing business resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Follow @lbecondev and the City’s main account at @longbeachcity to learn more and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #SmallBizWeekLB.
The BizCare Team is hosting a Small Business/Entrepreneur Resource Fair to close out Small Business Week. The Fair will be taking place on Saturday, May 6th from 10am - 4pm at Civic Center Plaza (411 W. Ocean Blvd.). Come to the fair and connect with resources to help you start, sustain, and grow your business.
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The People You Can Bank on Small Business Grant Program honors small businesses who support their communities through volunteer work, donations, education, participation in community activities, sustainable practices, and/or providing employment opportunities for veterans, disabled or underprivileged community members. They represent different communities, industries, generations and backgrounds who are united by an unyielding commitment to caring, progress, and uplifting and inspiring others.
To learn more about the People You Can Bank on Small Business Grant Program visit fmb.com/grants.
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Spark is currently offering immigrant entrepreneurs who work as independent contractors, freelancers, business owners, etc. in California free entrepreneurship training and $5K-10K grants for their businesses! Learn more and apply at spark.immigrantsrising.org/seed-funding/. | |
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. Application deadline for the FALL 2023 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. | |
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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 | |
Long Beach Public Library Workshop | |
Join the Long Beach Public Library online on May 2 at 9:00am, when a Reference Solutions expert will show us how to use the resource to identify suppliers and customers, create marketing lists, research competitors, and much more. The workshop will be in English with a live Spanish translator. Everyone who registers will receive a recorded version of the event, so we encourage you to sign up even if you can’t attend live. | |
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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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This City of Long Beach Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant will provide direct financial relief to local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime and vandalism on or after 10/1/2022. Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover repairs to their storefront caused by vandalism. Grant applications opened February 22, 2023, and will remain open until funding is exhausted. To find more information and access the online application visit longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants. | |
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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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