Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news. | | |
New Business Development Bureau Manager | |
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The Economic Development Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Julian Cernuda to the position of Business Development Bureau Manager! Please join the Economic Development Department as we welcome Julian into his new role!
In his new role, Julian will lead the development and implementation of business attraction, retention, and support programs across all the City’s business sectors. This includes supporting the City’s Business Improvement Districts, the BizCare business support program, and managing a portfolio of financial assistant programs.
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The Port of Long Beach kicks off new “drop-in” office hours for small and diverse business enterprises seeking assistance with potential contracting opportunities at the Port.
The Port of Long Beach is proud to announce office hours on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for small and diverse businesses looking to explore contracting opportunities at the Port, or requesting assistance with small business enterprise or disadvantaged business enterprise opportunities. Office hours will occur at the Port of Long Beach Administration Building on the first floor, located at 415 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA.
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Part of the Demand Side Employment Initiative (DSEI) from the California Department of Rehabilitation, the EmployABILITY Business Grant offers small- and medium-sized businesses in California the opportunity to grow their businesses and upgrade their hiring.
View the EmployABILITY Business Grant Resource page for more information and online application.
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Join the Community Energy Innovation Challenge to bring equitable clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives to your community. Join the $7.49 million Community Energy Innovation Prize and strategize ways to provide support, build trust, and strengthen relationships and partnerships with underserved communities while advancing the clean energy transition.
Visit the challenge website to learn more about the Community Energy Innovation Challenge.
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This exciting partnership with Shop Long Beach gives people in Long Beach even more reasons to donate during Long Beach Gives!
Long Beach Gives is thrilled to announce our collaboration with Shop Long Beach, the citywide initiative that promotes Long Beach small businesses and rewards people for shopping at select small businesses. Because of this incredible partnership, people who donate during Long Beach Gives can upload their receipts to Shop Long Beach, powered by the Localight app, to receive bonus points (called LocalCash) that go toward cash back they can use at small businesses in Long Beach! This can be a helpful incentive to help gain more donors for your Long Beach Gives campaign!
To participate, download the Shop Long Beach app at shoplb.org.
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The City of Long Beach has opportunities for beach equipment rental concessions at three locations: Alamitos Beach, Junipero and Granada, adjacent to the restaurant concessionaires at each location. Prospective concessionaires may submit for each individual location or multiple locations. Interested parties should visit Beach Concessions — RTL Collab for more information. Beach Concessions opportunity will be closing September 29, 2023. | |
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The application deadline for the Goldman Sachs 10KSB winter and spring 2024 program is October 15, 2023!
Participants of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB will gain practical skills across topics such as financial statements, negotiation, marketing, and employee management, and acquire the tools to develop a customized business plan for growth! Apply now for this FREE 12-week practical business education program: www.10KSBapply.com.
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The AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is designed to benefit Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander-owned restaurants across the country. With the industry facing ongoing economic challenges, the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is available to help under-resourced restaurants respond to supply chain disruptions, increased inventory costs, workforce development, and safety for their employees.
Learn more about the AAPI Restaurant Grant on the application website.
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“We faced an unfortunate incident where rocks were thrown at our establishment, shattering our windows. The cost of repairing windows can be quite expensive. However, thanks to the grant funding we received, we were able to cover the expenses of the window repairs, as well as invest in our products and serve our valued customers.” Heather Day, owner of Pixie Toys – Children Toy Store.
The Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant is providing 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. To find more information and access the online application visit longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants.
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Upcoming Events and Workshops | |
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All BizCare services will be closed on Monday, September 4th and will resume Tuesday, September 5th.
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. 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 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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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. | |
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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