Mayor Robert Garcia will host nine roundtable discussions with business leaders from each of Long Beach’s districts in order to gather feedback on how the City can assist local businesses recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.
“What I’d like to do is just open it up and just hear any of your thoughts on how things are going, how your business is doing, what you need from the City,” Garcia said at the first roundtable discussion with business leaders from District 1 on March 8.
According to Chief of Staff James Ahumada, the City is looking to invite a diverse array of business owners from various industries and from different corners of each district to the roundtable discussions.
The City has been reaching out to businesses to invite them to the discussions, but business owners can also feel free to contact the mayor’s office if they want to be included, according to Ahumada.
According to Garcia, after all nine discussions are completed the City plans to help put together a marketing/public relations plan to promote local businesses.
Ahumada said there are no concrete marketing plans as of yet, and that the City won’t start any until it concludes all nine roundtable discussions, likely in mid-April.
The roundtable discussions are also an opportunity for business owners to ask the City for clarification on how to apply for Long Beach Recovery Act Small Business and Non-Profit Relief grants and provide feedback on how the grants have impacted them.
Long Beach Recovery Act Small Business and Non-Profit Relief grants provide direct financial relief under the following four categories:
- Restaurant, Brewery and Bar Relief Grant — for small Long Beach food and beverage businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business.
- Personal Services and Fitness Relief Grant — for small Long Beach personal services and fitness businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business.
- Small Business Relief Grant — for small Long Beach businesses that do not qualify for both the Restaurant, Brewery and Bar Grant or the Personal Services and Fitness Relief Grant. Eligible small businesses can receive between $2,500 and $10,000 to support their business.
- Non-Profit Relief Grant — for 501c3, 501c19, and fiscally sponsored nonprofits. Eligible nonprofits can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their nonprofit.
Applications for the grants opened today, March 16.
According to Ahumada, it is possible that policy for the grants could be altered based on feedback the City receives from business owners during the roundtable discussions.
The next roundtable discussion will be held Thursday, March 17 in District 2.
