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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As small businesses continue to rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic hit dining and retail stores, Long Beach has launched the Shop Long Beach program, which rewards customers shopping at more than 60 local businesses.
The program kicked off with the “Small Biz Blitz” contest, which runs from July 1st until Sept. 3rd. During that time, customers can submit photos of their receipts from independent businesses to earn points and rewards.
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Taste of Downtown features live music and DJs, bite-size food samples, beer, wine, and cocktails from Downtown’s rich community of creatives, chefs, brewers, and mixologists, along with activities and experiences highlighting each neighborhood. The event is a three-part food and beverage tasting series, hosted by Downtown Long Beach Alliance, where guests can sample portions of signature dishes provided Downtown.
Join the DLBA at the Waterfront between Shoreline Village & Pine Ave on August 9th and 10th for some epic oceanside bites and breezes.
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The City of Long Beach and the Office of Ninth District Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie present the 12th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival, headlined by American funk band, The Original Lakeside. The festival will take place on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave., Long Beach, 90805). The afternoon event will feature a lineup of incredible music and entertainment, a food and beer garden, a Kids Zone, and a variety of vendor and community resource booths.
Additional information will be shared on the Uptown Jazz Festival webpage at longbeach.gov/uptownjazzfest.
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Whether you are looking to create digitial marketing assets for the first time or you need to level-up your current efforts, CSULB is here to help your small business grow! This program will work with CSULB students enrolled in Marketing 437: Digital Marketing and Media to create customized digital marketing materials to boost your business for free. Students will assist in creating marketing material such as website creation, email marketing, and social media marketing. | |
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The City of Long Beach today released an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to provide bikes and equipment for the City’s upcoming Electric Bike (E-Bike) Lending Library program. By enabling Long Beach residents to borrow e-bikes for an extended period of time, the E-Bike Lending Library program will expand familiarity with e-bike technology, increase e-bike ridership within the city and encourage an active, zero-emission mode of travel.
The program is anticipated to launch before the end of 2023. More information about the program requirements can be found in the posted ITB.
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Pacific Avenue Development Opportunity | |
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The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is to help small businesses grow and create jobs by providing them with greater access to education, capital, and business support services. To date, more than 12,800 business owners have graduated from the program across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Through the program, small businesses will gain practical skills across topics such as financial statements negotiation, marketing, and employee management, and gain the tools to develop a customized business plan for growth—for free.
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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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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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