Welcome to the Economic Development Department's Business Brief! We are continuing to ensure you are updated on the latest business resources and news. | | |
|
The City of Long Beach announced upcoming contracting opportunities for technical assistance providers to support the City’s Climate Action Accelerator initiative, an effort to ensure that residents, local businesses and nonprofits are prepared to pursue funds available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The application period for these contracting opportunities will begin late October 2023. Eligible organizations will be encouraged to submit proposals through the City’s vendor portal, Long Beach Buys. Specific details related to project scope areas, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and submission instructions will be available at Long Beach Buys in October 2023. The City also has developed an instructional video on the registration process. Resources and guides for vendors are available in multiple languages.
| |
|
Join the panel discussion, be part of the matchmaking and participate in the Procurement Plaza! The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s goal is to Expand Procurement Opportunities for SoCal Businesses.
You are invited to the 2023 Southern California Business Development Conference on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The panel discussion will cover topics on contracting with these government organizations, how small businesses can make themselves more competitive, and include a question and answer session. The conference will also feature a procurement matchmaking session designed to bring together business owners with corporate and government procurement representatives.
The Conference will feature a Networking Session from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Center Plaza free to the public where the city will showcase its program and diverse opportunities available in the city of Long Beach.
| |
|
The application deadline for the Goldman Sachs 10KSB winter and spring 2024 program is October 15, 2023!
Participants of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB will gain practical skills across topics such as financial statements, negotiation, marketing, and employee management, and acquire the tools to develop a customized business plan for growth! Apply now for this FREE 12-week practical business education program: www.10KSBapply.com.
| |
The City of Long Beach continues to expand its innovative business resources with the launch of its Business Insights Tool, a new, 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 now available for entrepreneurs and businesses at longbeach.gov/businessinsights. | |
|
Part of the Demand Side Employment Initiative (DSEI) from the California Department of Rehabilitation, the EmployABILITY Business Grant offers small- and medium-sized businesses in California the opportunity to grow their businesses and upgrade their hiring.
View the EmployABILITY Business Grant Resource page for more information and online application.
| |
|
Join the Community Energy Innovation Challenge to bring equitable clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives to your community. Join the $7.49 million Community Energy Innovation Prize and strategize ways to provide support, build trust, and strengthen relationships and partnerships with underserved communities while advancing the clean energy transition.
Visit the challenge website to learn more about the Community Energy Innovation Challenge.
| |
|
“We faced an unfortunate incident where rocks were thrown at our establishment, shattering our windows. The cost of repairing windows can be quite expensive. However, thanks to the grant funding we received, we were able to cover the expenses of the window repairs, as well as invest in our products and serve our valued customers.” Heather Day, owner of Pixie Toys – Children Toy Store.
The Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant is providing direct financial relief to local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime and vandalism on or after 10/1/2022. Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover repairs to their storefront caused by vandalism. To find more information and access the online application visit longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants.
| |
Upcoming Events and Workshops | |
|
The Port of Long Beach kicks off new “drop-in” office hours for small and diverse business enterprises seeking assistance with potential contracting opportunities at the Port.
The Port of Long Beach is proud to announce office hours on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for small and diverse businesses looking to explore contracting opportunities at the Port, or requesting assistance with small business enterprise or disadvantaged business enterprise opportunities. Office hours will occur at the Port of Long Beach Administration Building on the first floor, located at 415 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA.
| |
Visit the BizCare Pop-Ups for in-person business assistance on Thursdays at different locations throughout the city. Find the Popup's latest schedule at longbeach.gov/bizcare. Pop-Up services are delivered in English, Spanish, and Khmer. BizCare is available by phone, email, or in-person appointment. Call the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249, email 4Biz@longbeach.gov, or request assistance. | |
|
The City of Long Beach launched the Inclusive Business Navigators Program to provide outreach, workshops, education, and direct technical assistance for local small businesses and nonprofits to support their economic recovery from financial hardships and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City previously sought partners to administer the Inclusive Business Navigators Program to support equitable economic recovery for Long Beach small businesses and nonprofits. The City selected vendors including CentroCHA, UCC, April Parker, and RightSource Services to provide outreach and assistance to local businesses. More information on these vendors and assistance available can be found at longbeach.gov/biznavigators. Businesses can also access assistance through this program through the BizCare Hotline: 562.570.4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov.
| |
|
The Commercial Corridor Façade Improvement Program (CCFIP) will provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to commercial property owners to significantly improve the appearance of the entire façade of their property that is visible from the street.
Visit the program webpage for more information and eligibility requirements.
| |
Whether you are looking to create digital marketing assets for the first time or you need to level up your current efforts, CSULB is here to help your small business grow! This program will work with CSULB students enrolled in Marketing 437: Digital Marketing and Media to create customized digital marketing materials to boost your business for free. Students will assist in creating marketing material such as website creation, email marketing, and social media marketing. | |
Take your business to the next level with free online courses, entrepreneurship training, and marketing tools from the Digital Library. Offering notable and distinguished resources such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning, the Digital Library contains an invaluable wealth of knowledge to help business owners (and their employees) upskill and lead a successful business. The Digital Library is free for all LBPL cardholders. Sign up for a library card to access these Digital Library Resource. | |
|
The Long Beach Water Department is offering a Free Spray Valves Program for Long Beach Restaurants. To register for your free replacement and installation of high efficiency pre-rinse spray valves and faucet aerators, please visit the registration site and complete the form in its entirety.
Following your registration, the LBWD program representative will contact you to schedule your installation. If you require assistance, email waterconservation@lbwater.org
| |
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. | |
|
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.
Port of Long Beach Small Business Enterprise / Very Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program
The main goal of the SBE/VSBE Program 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.
| |
Long Beach Procurement Platform "Long Beach Buys" | |
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. | |
|
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.
| | | | |
