During its March 4 meeting, Long Beach City Council unanimously voted to approve an additional $250,000 in grant funding for the Visual Improvement Program (VIP).
Through the Long Beach Economic Development Department, the VIP offers direct financial assistance to local businesses affected by property crime and vandalism. The $250,000 adds to the City’s previous cumulative investment of $450,000 in the program.
“Long Beach’s small business community is at the heart of our ongoing economic growth and vitality, and the City remains dedicated to supporting and uplifting local entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “With this expanded grant opportunity, the City continues to provide critical support to help businesses recover, improve their properties and keep our commercial corridors vibrant.”
Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to pay for storefront repairs, boarding costs, insurance deductibles and business operating expenses.
The VIP was first launched in January 2023, with $350,000 in funding from the Long Beach Recovery Act. As part of the City’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the program received an additional one-time funding of $100,000 after receiving approval by the City Council in August 2024. So far, 295 VIP grants have been provided to Long Beach businesses.
“Small businesses are the cornerstone of our community and serve as the foundation for a thriving economy,” said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez in a public statement. “This grant opportunity is one of many that we have offered to support and uplift entrepreneurs and help guide small businesses toward success.”
Businesses and nonprofits that meet the following criteria are invited to apply:
- Must be able to prove that damages were sustained on or after Oct. 1, 2023.
- Must have a business storefront.
- Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California (address cannot be a P.O. Box or an address that leads to a shipping center as their physical location).
- May be a private for-profit business, including sole proprietorships, or nonprofit organization.
- Must have a City of Long Beach business license.
- Must be an independently owned and operated business (not publicly traded).
- Must have fewer than 200 employees.
- Must gross no more than $2 million annually.
- Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an active status with the California Secretary of State.
For more information about eligibility requirements and to complete an application, visit longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants; applications will remain open until funding runs out. To learn more about VIP or to receive application assistance, call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4BIZ (4249) or email 4Biz@longbeach.gov.
