Business improvement groups across Long Beach received their one-time funding allocations for the next year at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are geographically defined areas where property and business owners manage improvements for the area through a variety of methods. The groups act as nonprofits and are made up of residents and business owners in the area, and must include a board that advises the city council.
Boards are responsible for recommending decisions on programs, services, budgets, goals, policies and staffing. BIDs must also submit an annual report to the city council with annual assessment rates and the budget for the upcoming year.
Enhancements that BIDs conduct can include neighborhood clean-ups, tree planting, events and street activations, business expansions, public safety efforts and more.
A total of $250,000 was allocated for the city’s nine BIDs for 2025. Each group received a base funding of $17,000, then $31.62 for each member in the group, with a maximum of 500 members.
Next year’s funding comes with more flexibility to BIDs to plan tree planting events and other events that enhance green space and streetscapes, Business Development Bureau Manager Julian Cernuda said.
Grants to the BIDs will be disbursed as follows:
- Belmont Shore Business Association: $25,284
- Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association: $32,398
- Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area (Downtown Long Beach Alliance): $32,810
- Downtown Property Based Improvement District (Downtown Long Beach Alliance): $32,810
- Fourth Street Business Improvement Association: $19,592
- Long Beach Tourism Business Improvement Association, Downtown (Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau): $29,837
- Midtown Property and Business Owner’s Association: $21,774
- Uptown Property and Community Association: $22,659
- Zaferia Business Association: $32,810
Following the council’s approval, each BID will turn in a proposed use of funds report, which will be reviewed throughout November and December. City staff aim to enter into the funding agreements in January, and to have the funds disbursed by February at the latest.