City of Long Beach Business Brief
September 3, 2021
Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news.
In observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 6, 2021, the BizCare Pop-Ups and Business Hotline will be closed. For a full list of impacted services click here.
IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Unemployment can affect entire families. As we celebrate American workers on #LaborDay, learn about the #IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit and how your business could claim a credit for hiring new workers: www.irs.gov/wotc
Business License Tax and Fee Grant Extended!
The new deadline to apply for the Business License Tax and Fee Grant is September 30, 2021. This grant provides financial relief to full-service independently owned restaurants by paying the following business license taxes and fees charged by the City between the period of January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020:

1. Business License Taxes
2. Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessments
3. Health Permit Fees
4. Fire Permit Fees
5. Penalty or late payment fees incurred in the eligible period for the above taxes or fees

Approximately $1.3 million is available for the new program. The maximum grant available per eligible business will depend on the total taxes and fees each business was charged between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.

Information about additional business assistance and resources is available on the City’s Business Support webpage or by contacting the City’s Business Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ(4249)
Round 8 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Webinars
Round 8 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant is now open. The application window is open until September 8, 2021. Eligible applicants for round 8 are only non-profit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com. Businesses may be eligible for a grant award between $5,000 – $25,000.

Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1,2, 5, or 6. Nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply; grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.

Round 9 will open Thursday, September 9, 2021 through Thursday, September 30, 2021. Eligible applicants are current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria.

Join the upcoming CA Relief Grant Application Webinars this Saturday, August 28 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT for an informative Q&A that provides step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Need further assistance applying? Contact the COVID-19 Relief Fund Call Center at (888) 612-4370, Monday through Friday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM PST.
Park Operators and Concessionaires Request for Information
The City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) Department released a Request for Information (RFI) to increase its understanding of potential vendors in the marketplace who have expertise and experience operating and servicing park spaces with a range of amenities, food, drinks, and programming that are financially self-sufficient that will ultimately attract a wide range of park patrons. The deadline to submit RFI's is September 7, 2021.
 
The goals of the RFI are to identify potential vendors who can provide concessionaire services that: (1) enhance park users' experience and offer new services at various park locations; (2) generate revenue via a revenue-share that can support PRM services such as park operations and maintenance; and (3) engage well-qualified, experienced business owners to develop, operate, and maintain food and beverage concessions, event spaces, retail, recreation, or other customer-oriented services.
 
The RFI process is an informal process and is open to all interested parties. Responses will provide the City with industry insight, experience, and understanding of industry standards about potential features and capabilities available in the market, and assist in the possible development of a future request for proposals (RFP).

Are you a registered vendor? 

The City of Long Beach utilizes an online registration and bidding system, PlanetBids, to notify businesses and nonprofits of various bid opportunities, news, and updates. Registered vendors companies and nonprofits will receive customized emails notifying them of specific bids opportunities and provide them with the ability to search and download documents.
Upcoming Webinars
The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) is here to support small businesses as they pivot and position their companies for growth. The key to business growth is setting a vision and solid foundation for your business and driving growth with new tools and an entrepreneurial mindset. 

Join the LBCEI Small Business Resiliency Webinar Series where business experts will teach you new methods and tools that will position for your company for growth through vision, marketing, and sales.

Business owners will learn:
•  Key success factors to business resiliency — Vision, Mission & Customer Value Proposition
•   Marketing Plans that Drive Business Growth
•   Get Social Media Marketing Tools 
•   Tips from Marketing and Sales Experts
•   Opportunity to Win an Advisory Session 

First class begins September 8, 2021!
Please join the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of International Trade for a 20-minute discussion on our State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant with a fellow small business that has utilized STEP to support global expansion.

An opportunity for Q & A will be provided after the session for anyone that would like to stay on a little longer.

SBA is utilizing a new technology to facilitate this conversation. The telephone number you have previously provided to SBA will be called to invite SBA-affiliated companies to participate live.

Join in Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
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.