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Welcome to the Long Beach
Economic Development Department Newsletter!
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In This Edition:
- City Seeks Local Businesses to Champion Youth Employment Opportunities
- Applications Now Open for the Long Beach Public Service Corps Program
- Applications Open for Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition
| | City Seeks Local Businesses to Champion Youth Employment Opportunities | | |
The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department is seeking businesses and nonprofits throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill to help support the next generation of workers by partnering with its work experience programs for young people. These programs empower youth to gain real-world work experience and contribute to a stronger, more resilient economy and provide opportunities for all. Businesses selected to become a participating worksite will support Long Beach youth through jobs, mentorship and training—all at no cost to their business.
Facilitated by the Department’s Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Youth Career Services Center, formerly known as Future LB, youth work programs are available for young people ages 14 to 30. Youth can be placed in diverse roles and industry sectors, such as healthcare, information technology, hospitality and public service. Youth participants are compensated an hourly wage for work experience, personal enrichment training and professional development activities. Wages and workers’ compensation insurance are paid through the programs so there is no cost to participating businesses. Businesses are required to meet certain insurance and safety requirements. Local businesses are encouraged to sign up to become a worksite for youth by completing an online Worksite Interest Form.
| | Applications Now Open for the Long Beach Public Service Corps Program | |
The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (Department) is now accepting applications for the third cohort of the Long Beach Public Service Corps Program (LBPSC). The program offers paid internships that provide young people with practical work experience in various roles across City departments. Applications are available online through Monday, June 30, 2025.
Facilitated by the Department’s Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Youth Career Services Center, formerly known as Future LB, the LBPSC provides local college students and recent graduates ages 18 to 30 with hands-on experience working in City government and exploring careers in public service. The program is intended to foster economic inclusion and expand opportunities for young people to develop successful career paths. Participants will engage in a series of professional development workshops designed to highlight important topics in public service, such as budgeting, community engagement, crisis management, sustainability, ethics and policy. Compensation is $22 hourly for a maximum of 800 hours during the 2025 – 2026 academic year.
| | Applications Open for Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition | |
Applications are currently open for Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition. This competition is a celebration of visionary women entrepreneurs and provides a platform for them to showcase their talents and innovations. Applications to present pitches at the live competition are now open until June 9th at 11:59 pm PST.
The competition will take place on Friday, August 1, 2025, in Irvine, CA. Selected finalists will pitch their business in front of investors, corporate leaders, and key decision-makers for a chance to win:
1. First Place: $7,500 + prize package
2. Second Place: $5,000 + prize package
3. Third Place: $2,500 + prize package
4. Additional runners-up will also receive prize packages and valuable exposure
We encourage bold, visionary women entrepreneurs to apply and seize this opportunity to grow their businesses and amplify their voices.
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Small Biz Spotlight:
Long Beach Khmer Kickboxing Center
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In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we are proud to recognize the Cambodian-owned Legacy Business, Long Beach Khmer Kickboxing Center!
Established by Oum Ry in 1987, the facility located at 1038 E. Anaheim St. is the first Cambodian kickboxing gym (known as ‘Pradel Serey’ in Khmer) in the country and the only one of its kind in Southern California. Born in 1940, Oum immigrated to the United States with his young family in 1980, learning English and working various jobs in pursuit of his dreams.
For more than 35 years, the Long Beach Khmer Kickboxing Center has trained champions, mentored youth and kept the tradition of Pradal Serey alive in America. Oum and his beloved gym are a testament to determination and triumph.
| | Long Beach Celebrates Economic Development Week | |
We’re excited to join communities across the country in celebrating Economic Development Week, a time to recognize the vital role economic development professionals and organizations play in building thriving, resilient communities.
At the Long Beach Economic Development Department, we’re committed to driving inclusive growth through a wide range of services — from business support and real estate development to workforce training, youth programs, and the continued revitalization of our waterfront.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff, small businesses, and community partners. Your collaboration and commitment help us Grow Long Beach every day!
| Now Available: Grow Long Beach Economic Blueprint | The Economic Development Department is pleased to present the Grow Long Beach Economic Blueprint. The document provides a comprehensive, 10-year plan for creating more equitable economic opportunities for workers, investors and entrepreneurs in Long Beach. The document also highlights the Grow Long Beach Initiative and key strategies to further expand and diversify the economy by focusing on local entrepreneurship, talent, advancing targeted industry sectors and more. | | 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 BizCare@longbeach.gov, or submit an online form. | | The City of Long Beach Visual Improvement Program (VIP) grant provides direct financial relief to local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime and vandalism on or after October 1, 2023. Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover repairs to their storefront. Apply online. 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 BizCare@longbeach.gov. | | 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 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. at 562.570.4246.
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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