City of Long Beach Business Brief
April 23, 2022
Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news.
Upcoming Nonprofit Relief Grants Webinar
Attention Long Beach Nonprofits! Join The Nonprofit Partnership on April 28th for a free information session on the NOW OPEN City of Long Beach Nonprofit Relief Grants!
Register today!
Did you miss out on the Economic Development Commission Meeting this past Monday, April 18? If so, you can access the meeting recording here! 

Find out how you can be a part of planning the City’s Blueprint for Economic Development and watch now!

The Blueprint focuses on advancing a 10-year vision of making Long Beach a City of opportunity for workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Long Beach Recovery Act Grants
The City of Long Beach is accepting applications for the Long Beach Recovery Act Small Business and Non-Profit Relief grants, a new recovery program to help small businesses and nonprofits that have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now until 8 p.m. on May 15, 2022, eligible small businesses and nonprofits can apply to receive working capital to help pay for a variety of business expenses. 

Applications can be submitted through LiveStories, the City’s vendor application portal. The City will begin to review and award grant applications as early as April 15, so businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Additional information, including eligibility requirements, required documentation, application questions and the application process, is available at longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants. 

Currently available grant opportunities include: 
  • Restaurant, Brewery and Bar Relief Grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach food and beverage businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business. 
  • Personal Services and Fitness Relief Grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach personal services and fitness businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business. 
  • Small Business Relief Grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach businesses that do not qualify for the Restaurant, Brewery and Bar Grant nor the Personal Services and Fitness Relief Grant. Eligible small businesses can receive between $2,500 and $10,000 to support their business. 
  • Non-Profit Relief Grant will provide direct financial relief to 501c3, 501c19, and fiscally sponsored nonprofits. Eligible nonprofits can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their nonprofit. 

The City is partnering with community-based organizations to serve as Business Navigators and offer free assistance for small businesses and nonprofits applying for grant programs and has contracted with LiveStories to provide comprehensive grants administration support services.
Businesses and nonprofits can access free application assistance by calling the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4249, emailing [email protected],
or visiting longbeach.gov/bizcare.

Technical support for the LiveStories online portal is available weekdays from
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. by calling 855.582.3973 or emailing [email protected]. 

This opportunity is made possible by Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $20 million has been allocated for business support under the Recovery Act. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.  
The Long Beach Public Library invites small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to know more about marketing and business plans to a free Digital Library Workshop on Reference Solutions by Data Axle.

For the last 30 years, Data Axle has provided exclusive data on over 17 million businesses and 320 million residents through their preeminent online tool, Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA).

Join virtually on May 4 at 10:00 AM (PT), when a Reference Solutions expert will show how to use the business and consumer databases and share strategies for growing your business. Everyone who registers will receive a recorded version of the event. Please make a reservation on Eventbrite to receive the meeting link.
City Seeks Proposals From Eligible Organization to Administer Special Cleanup and Maintenance Services in Parks and Open Spaces 
The City of Long Beach is seeking proposals from highly experienced contractors interested in serving as the administrator for the cleanup and restoration of sites affected by encampments in parks and open spaces. The City recently launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) for park and beach cleaning, litter abatement and special collections services within City Parks, open spaces and beaches. Now through April 28, 2022, at 11 a.m., eligible companies are encouraged to submit proposals through the City’s RFP Vendor Portal, PlanetBids, for consideration. Details related to scope areas, eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available at PlanetBids. The City also has developed an instructional video on the registration process.   
City Launches Request for Proposals to Implement Nutrition Security Events and Services 
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has launched two Request for Proposals (RFPs) to provide support to nonprofits or community-based organizations to establish, continue and/or expand programs that improve access to nutrition assistance programs and provide food distribution events to populations most impacted by COVID-19 and experiencing high levels of nutrition insecurity. Specific details related to project scope areas, eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available at PlanetBids for the Emergency Food Distribution Events RFP and Community Food Access Projects RFP. Deadline to apply is May 4, 2022.The City also has developed an instructional video about the registration process. 
OmniWorksNext Small Business Accelerator Webinar
Is this the year you take your business to the next level? The NEXT Small Business Accelerator is here to help. Get access to personalized coaching, mastermind sessions, expert workshops, networking events, and a community of highly motivated entrepreneurs.
The next cohort starts in May. Join an information webinar on May 4 at 12:00pm to learn about the program and how to apply.
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.