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 the Small Biz Blitz Contest, focused on supporting local small businesses and rewarding customers for shopping in Long Beach! To participate, small businesses and shoppers are encouraged to sign up early at shoplb.org.
Shop Long Beach is a new program designed to promote and increase sales at local Long Beach small businesses. The program encourages consumers to shop and spend at small businesses throughout Long Beach. Consumers who spend at participating Shop Long Beach small businesses will earn reward points to spend at businesses. Support locally owned businesses by participating in the Shop Long Beach Rewards Points Program.
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The Long Beach Accelerator is taking applications for their 7th cohort! Early bird deadline is July 10, 2023.
LBA Cohorts receive investment of $150,000 for 7% equity to support their companies growth and expansion. The Long Beach Accelerator has graduated 37 cohort companies, 8 of which have received acquisition offers, and collectively raised over $25M in capital and earned over $12M in revenue since February 2021. Interested companies should apply to join the Long Beach Accelerator’s Winter 2023 Cohort. Final deadline is July 30, 2023.
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The City of Long Beach is hosting a one-day hiring event for Refuse Operator (RO) positions on July 22, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00p.m. in the Main Health Facilities Building at 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, 90815.
To make the recruitment process quicker and easier for new Refuse Operators, the City is embarking on a one-day hiring event to interview, make offers, and begin the onboarding process all on the same day. During the event, candidates can expect an initial work history screening, participation in an interview, and participate in onboarding activities including a background check and the completion of an on-site employment physical examination and drug screen. Participants are encouraged to RSVP prior to the event.
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The Queen Mary continues to generate excitement, and large scale events are already building up at the Queen Mary and the adjacent Harry Bridges Special Events Park. This weekend’s Day Trip will be a two-day house dance music festival will be one of the summer’s largest festivals. Visit the Queen Mary's Special Events page for upcoming events. | |
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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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 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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Take your business to the next level with free online courses, entrepreneurship training, and marketing tools from the Digital Library. Offering notable and distinguished resources such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning, the Digital Library contains an invaluable wealth of knowledge to help business owners (and their employees) upskill and lead a successful business. The Digital Library is free for all LBPL cardholders. Sign up for a library card to access these Digital Library Resource. | |
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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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