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Welcome to the Long Beach
Economic Development Department Newsletter!
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In This Edition:
- City of Long Beach Announces Operator for Long Beach Amphitheater
- City of Long Beach Provides Additional $250,000 in Grant Funding to Support Small Businesses
- Hire Uptown Job Summit at Houghton Park
| | City of Long Beach Announces Operator for Long Beach Amphitheater | | |
The Long Beach City Council (Council) has approved the selection of Legends / ASM Global for the operation and management of the city’s first-ever amphitheater, which will also be the second-largest outdoor amphitheater in Los Angeles County, strategically situated on the Long Beach waterfront. Additionally, the Council has approved $14 million in funding for the design and development of the open-air venue, which will further propel the city as a premier national and international destination for music, entertainment and special events of all scales.
As part of the agreement with Legends / ASM Global, a portion of operating profits for the amphitheater will be paid to the City, including ticket sales, revenue from concessions and a percentage of the sale of the naming rights or sponsorships at the amphitheater. The project will be funded by the City’s Tidelands Area Fund Group. These are restricted funds that can only be used for development and services on the coast and cannot, by law, be used for other municipal services or projects.
| | City of Long Beach Provides Additional $250,000 in Grant Funding to Support Small Businesses | | |
The Long Beach City Council has approved an additional $250,000 in grant funding for the Visual Improvement Program (VIP), which provides direct financial assistance to local businesses impacted by crime and vandalism. Businesses and nonprofits should apply if they meet the following criteria:
• Must be able to prove that damages were sustained on or after Oct. 1, 2023.
• Must have a business storefront.
• Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California (address cannot be a P.O. Box or an address that leads to a shipping center as their physical location).
• May be a private for-profit business, including sole proprietorships, or nonprofit organization.
• Must have a City of Long Beach business license.
• Must be an independently owned and operated business (not publicly traded).
• Must have fewer than 200 employees.
• Must gross no more than $2 million annually.
• Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an active status with the California Secretary of State.
Applications will remain open until funding is exhausted. For additional information about the VIP or assistance with completing an application, those interested can call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or email 4Biz@longbeach.gov.
| | Hire Uptown Job Summit at Houghton Park | | On Saturday, April 19, District 9 will be hosting a free job summit at Houghton Park Community Center that is open to adults, college students, and high school youth. This is an opportunity for job seekers to meet multiple potential employers for internships and local jobs. There will also be free headshots available. Please register below if you are interested in attending. | | |
In honor of Earth Month, we’re recognizing a fair trade focused business here in the city.
Fair Trade Long Beach was founded by Teresa Baxter and other fair trade merchants. Located at 4105 Bellflower Blvd., it is a retail collective of ethical businesses working to increase the availability of fair trade products from around the world.
These products are designed to address the imbalance of power in trading relationships, unstable markets and the injustices of conventional trade. Fair trade companies prioritize healthy and safe work environments for their employees, pay a living wage, and believe in investing in their community and environmental sustainability.
| | Community Solar Available for Long Beach Residents and Businesses | | |
Join Community Solar today! Community solar is supported by the State’s Community Renewables Program carried out by Southern California Edison (SCE). The program aims to provide the benefits of renewable energy without the need to install solar panels on individual properties, making it a great option for renters and homeowners.
Program benefits:
- Save money on your utility bill
- Get solar without the hassle
- Invest in local, clean energy
| | Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Offering Regional Export Training and Assistance Program | | |
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is offering the Regional Export Training and Assistance Program (RETAP) at no cost to eligible manufacturers in Los Angeles and Orange County.
This comprehensive workshop series is funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz). The Program provides expert training and resources to help small manufacturers expand internationally.
Benefits of RETAP:
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Comprehensive Export Training: Eight workshops for new exporters, focusing on export fundamentals, and five advanced workshops for current exporters to explore market identification and expansion strategies.
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Personalized Mentorship: Access to a dedicated mentor who will connect you with one of 16 partner organizations to assess export readiness, globalize your website, and identify high-potential markets.
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Market-Entry Support: Guidance on strategies for distribution, pricing, promotion, and ensuring cultural and regulatory compliance.
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Buyer and Distributor Assistance: Support in finding buyers and distributors, negotiating trade terms, and securing payments.
View the workshop schedule online!
| | Veteran and Service Member Job Fair | | |
In collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Veterans Support, we invite the community to participate in a Veteran and Service Member Job Fair. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Adult Career Services Center (4811 Airport Plaza Dr.).
The event will offer opportunities for veterans and service members transitioning from military to civilian life to meet with prospective employers, and will feature a resume review bar and interview stations. Additionally, mental health, health care, housing, and homelessness prevention resources, including a Veterans Administration home loan workshop, will be available for attendees. While the job fair will focus on resources for veterans and transitioning service members, this free event is open to the public. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP online.
| | The Economic Development Department's BizCare Program provides support and resources to small businesses and nonprofits in Long Beach. Our dedicated staff is available to connect you with helpful information regarding grants, loans, technical assistance and more to help your small business thrive. For assistance, call the BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249), email 4Biz@longbeach.gov, or submit an online form. | | The City of Long Beach continues to expand its innovative business resources with the launch of its Business Insights Tool, a free online resource for local businesses that makes big data accessible for small businesses, allowing them to benchmark performance, optimize marketing; and analyze competitors, suppliers and underserved markets. The Business Insights Tool is available for entrepreneurs and businesses at longbeach.gov/businessinsights. | | |
The Economic Development Department is now certifying businesses for the Green Business Program. Started in Long Beach in 2018 under the Office of Sustainability, the Green Business Program allows businesses to demonstrate their commitment to creating healthier communities and environments. The Program provides free technical assistance to businesses to help them implement more sustainable practices. Our staff will support you through the process and connect you with all the resources you'll need to get certified.
This Program is available to all Long Beach businesses and nonprofits and is free of charge. Businesses that complete the required measures will receive their Green Business Certification good for three years. Businesses can save on utility costs and create a workplace culture that values sustainability. In addition, businesses will have access to marketing materials and gain recognition through the City of Long Beach and California Green Business Network as a Certified Green Business. Become a green business today! Visit greenbusinessca.org/cityoflongbeach for more information.
| | Take your business to the next level with free online courses, entrepreneurship training and marketing tools from the Long Beach Public Library. Offering notable and distinguished resources such as Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, the Library offers digital resources to help business owners (and their employees) upskill and lead a successful business. The digital resources are completely free with your library card. Visit the LBPL Digital Library page to get started! | | 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. | | 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. | | |
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.
The main goal of the Small Business Enterprise (SBE)/Very Small Business Enterprise Program (VSBE) is to promote the 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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The Long Beach Resource Line is a hotline that supports anyone in Long Beach who needs help finding local, City and community resources. Calls are answered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also submit your contact information through an Assistance Request Form.
Connect with trained Resource Navigators for assistance with:
- Housing
- Food Access
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Legal Aid
- Mental and Physical Health
- and more!
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For questions and support, contact our BizCare Team!
562.570.4BIZ (4249)
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls received after normal business hours will be responded to within 24 business hours.
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