City of Long Beach Business Brief
July 23, 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.
KIVA Loan
Sno-Balls are coming to Long Beach! 

The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department is thrilled to announce the KIVA campaign for Kevin’s Fluffy’s Sno-Balls LLC of a $8,500 loan is LIVE! The business is infused with the authentic New Orleans style Sno-Balls. Currently, the campaign is 68% funded. Kevin will be using the loan to hire local teenagers to work part-time. The KIVA loan for Kevin will make a positive social impact in the community by increasing job opportunities to the youth and bringing in more cultural diversity into Long Beach.

Check out Kevin's KIVA campaign:

Long Beach entrepreneurs can access 0% interest rates, no-fee loans, and up to $15,000 through KIVA (www.kiva.org), a nonprofit organization focused on expanding financial opportunities to small businesses in the community. The City of Long Beach has partnered with LISC-LA to ensure that the business owners, that may be unable to access traditional commercial loans from a bank, can find KIVA loans to be a successful tool to sustain or grow their business.

KIVA Requirements for to business owners:
  • Must be 18 years and older
  • Business must be based in the United States
  • Food, farming, social services, fashion, or retail-based businesses are ideal

The City of Long Beach is now accepting applicants to endorse through the KIVA process. To learn more, please contact [email protected] or call (562) 570-4249.

To learn more about other City of Long Beach loan programs click here.
​The PBZ Grant is awarded in amounts ranging from $500-$5000 and is designed to help business owners offset the cost of operational expenses such as​:
  • Business filings (license, incorporations etc.)
  • ​Funds towards deposit of rent or other down payment
  • Subscriptions for service (zoom, GoDaddy, legal zoom)
  • Development of a website or app

In addition, the grant may be used to sponsor nonprofits that support these entrepreneurs, but the funds must go directly to entrepreneurs in the form of prizes for Pitch contest, working capital, low interest loan etc.
Personal Care Services and Health and Wellness Grant Program
In response to the devastating effects that COVID-19 has had on our local economy, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) is developing several grant programs to help provide financial relief to our small business community.

The Personal Care Services and Health & Wellness Grant is dedicated to supporting brick-and-mortar businesses within the personal care service and health and wellness industries in Downtown Long Beach. Businesses must operate in applicable areas.

The grant was designed to provide needed financial relief and recovery to small businesses and independent contractors that were temporarily closed due to LA County and City of Long Beach Health Orders. In total, $90,000 will be made available to small businesses for grants ranging from $1,250 to $4,750 depending on the type of business.

The application period will open on Wednesday, July 7 and will run until August 31st or when all funds are exhausted. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
United Cambodian Community Webinar
UCC provides culturally competent social services to the Cambodian community in Long Beach, home of Cambodia Town. UCC is a multi-service agency providing youth development, workforce development, gang prevention, and mental health services to address the changing needs of the growing Cambodian population. Currently, UCC’s mission is to elevate the Cambodian community through local engagement and leadership that embodies Cambodian cultural values.

Join the upcoming webinar!

Cannabis Job Fair
Hosted by the City of Long Beach Cannabis Social Equity Employment Program, this Job Fair is open to all legal cannabis businesses operating in the City of Long Beach.

Verified Social Equity Candidates will be given priority admission to the job fair the first hour starting at 10:00 am. Pre-registration is required.
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.