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Welcome to the 2025 Smart City Initiative Newsletter, the central hub for news and updates on pilot programs, partnership opportunities, events, and upcoming challenges!
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What's Trending in Gov Tech this Fallπ | | As we transition into Fall, we want to reflect on all our awesome tech achievements over the Summer. We accomplished a lot, and we're excited to share all we're working on this Fall. | |
Call for Proposals: Three $75k Innovation Opportunitiesπ‘ | | |
The City of Long Beach has launched three Challenge-based RFPs totaling $225,000 through our innovative LB Co-Lab program, and we want your organization on our radar!
What Makes These Different: Unlike traditional government procurement, these challenges were identified by City staff and validated through extensive community research conducted by Long Beach residents. Your solutions will address real problems experienced by real people.
Active Opportunities:
- Improve Access to City Services ($75,000)
- Secure Commercial Corridors ($75,000)
- Activating New Public Spaces ($75,000)
Who can apply? We are seeking partners across industries who can deliver practical solutions that improve the quality of life for Long Beach residents. We are open to any solution - technology, program, community-based, or otherwise - that addresses the challenge.
Unique Process: Submit proposal β Advance to semi-finalist β Travel to Long Beach for Demo Day β Present proof-of-concept to community β Win pilot contract β Implement with City partnership
Your Next Steps: View the Challenge-based RFPs and secure your spot at the Vendor Q&A session (Sept. 11, 2025): http://bit.ly/lbcolab
Timeline:
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Challenges release: Aug. 15, 2025 β
NOW LIVE
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Proposal submissions due: π―Sept. 29, 2025
- Demo Day: Nov.15, 2025
- Pilot launches: Early 2026
Questions? Contact RFPPurchasing@longbeach.gov
The LB Co-Lab connects innovative solutions with authentic community needs. Take the leap and propose your solution, opportunity awaits!
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AI & Data Privacy Workshops π€ | | |
Join us for a Community Workshop Series on Generative AI, Digital Literacy, and Data Privacy!
Through engaging presentations, hands-on activities, and live demos of common AI tools, you'll walk away with:
- A clear understanding of Generative AI and how the City of Long Beach uses it
- Hands-on experience using AI tools safely and effectively
- Practical data privacy and cybersecurity tips for everyday life
Don't miss this chance to boost your digital confidence! Register at lbcity.info/aiprivacy
π W 10/8/25 @ 6pm β Houghton Park
π M 10/13/25 @ 6pm β El Dorado Park
π W 10/15/25 @ 6pm β Silverado Park
π M 10/20/25 @ 12pm β Senior Center
π W 10/22/25 @ 3pm β Billie Jean King Library
Food and refreshments will be provided. Workshops are free to attend. All AI experience levels welcome. For interpretation requests please let us know in advance to best accommodate.
For questions, please contact Omar Moncayo, Data Privacy Analyst, omar.moncayo@longbeach.gov
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Save the Date!π
LB Co-Lab Community Demo Day
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Saturday, November 15, 2025 at
CSULB The Pointe
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Be part of the future of Long Beach! Join us as residents and innovators come together to decide which community-driven solutions will receive $75,000+ in pilot funding and shape our city for the year ahead.
Demo Day attendees will experience firsthand how community-driven innovation can address pressing municipal challenges while building trust between residents and City government.
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Date: Saturday, Nov 15, 2025
β° Time: 11:00 AM β 2:30 PM
πLocation: The Pointe Conference Center, Located in Walter Pyramid, CSULB
β¨ Free & open to all β democracy meets innovation.
π lbcity.info/colab-demo - Click the 'Sign Up' button at the bottom of the page to register!
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Applications Open for Love β€οΈYour Block Mini-Grants
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Weβre excited to share that applications are open for the Love Your Block Mini-Grants Program! These grants provide funding for community-led projects that help strengthen neighborhoods, improve public spaces, and build connections in West Long Beach.
Apply at: lbcity.info/LYB-MiniGrantApp
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Application Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025
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City Continues Partnership
ο»Ώwith Throne Labsπ½
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Following a successful four-month pilot, Long Beach is continuing its innovative partnership with Throne Labs to offer clean, safe, and family-friendly smart public restrooms!
Throne restrooms at DeForest Park, Harvey Milk Promenade Park, and the Belmont Pier will remain in place!
The Throne restroom at Shoreline Marina will be available for the public to use until October 1, 2025.
Data from the four-month pilot showed that 91 percent of users said that Throne was "good" or "great" and 82 percent said that Throne made them feel safer than traditional public restrooms. The units served over 13,000 unique users and over 25,000 bathroom visits!
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Comments received from Long Beach community members from our call for feedback on the Proposed Use Policy for the Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Communications (DPEC) Department's new technology, CommsCoach.
One respondent shared, "I would have you emphasize the privacy and the steps you take to maintain it. That will gain better trust with more people."
Keep an eye out for our next call for public comments as part of the City's Data Privacy Policy, and share these opportunities with your friends and colleagues.
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Bridging Community and Technology π» | | Partnership for NYC accepting applications for their Buildings Tech Lab | Our friends at the Partnership for NYC are accepting applications for their Buildings Tech Lab, which is a collaboration with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) to advance the application of new technology to transform the delivery of public services. DOB manages the infrastructure for over 1.1 million buildings in New York, and this is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to test their technology in the real-world with end users and unlock access to the municipal market. Find out more and apply by October 24. | |  | City of Long Beach Named One of the 50 Inaugural AI Winners | The City of Long Beach was recently named a winner in the inaugural AI 50 Awards, a new recognition from the Center for Public Sector AI, a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. This honor reflects Long Beachβs real-world AI impact and the Cityβs commitment to improving public service through more innovative and responsible technology. | | | Stay Connected with Our Internet Service Enrollment Line | | |
We're excited to announce a vital new resource aimed at enhancing digital inclusion in our community: the Internet Service Enrollment line!
This hotline connects you to low-cost internet services and a variety of digital inclusion resources that can empower your daily life. Digital inclusion navigators are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Eligibility for assistance includes programs such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and other similar programs. To learn more, call (844) 321-4472 or visit us at https://www.longbeach.gov/digitalinclusion/.
Let's work together to ensure everyone in Long Beach stays connected!
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Digital Inclusion Week 2025π | | |
Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and
celebration. DIW is organized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and its
2,000+ affiliates nationwide. DIW raises awareness and promotes action for digital
equity solutions. Communities all across the country, including the City of Long Beach, will highlight their efforts online and in person.
Help bridge the digital divide and get involved:
β Post on social media to spread awareness of the cause and organizations that
are making a difference in your community or nationally
β Explore the City of Long Beach's Digital Inclusion Asset Map
β Register for an upcoming AI and Data Privacy workshop throughout the month of October.
| | October is Cyber Security Awareness Month! | | Every year in October, the City of Long Beach participates in Cyber Security Awareness Month. Since 2004, October has been celebrated as Cyber Security Awareness Monthβa collaborative effort between the government and the technology industry to raise awareness about cyber security and encourage public action to reduce online risks. October 2025 will mark the 22nd Cyber Security Awareness Month. π¨βπ» | | | | |
