On Monday morning, representatives from The City of Long Beach and Long Beach City College (LBCC) held a community grand opening for the new North Long Beach Higher Education Center.
The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony, open house and mural dedication to the new center which will provide career, technology and higher education resources to residents in North Long Beach.
“Creating equitable access to higher education and job training opportunities is imperative to ensuring that our residents have the resources they need to thrive,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement.
The operations of the center will be overseen by the Long Beach Department of Economic Development, the Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network and LBCC staff.
At the North Long Beach Higher Education Center, residents will have access to:
- Education resources
- Career resources
- Tuition-free non-credit courses
- Workforce training opportunities
- Computer lab for classes and enrollment
“This Center will serve as a pivotal hub for educational and workforce enhancement, empowering individuals through access to essential training and resources vital for success in the job market,” said District 9 Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie in a public statement.
The plan to develop a Higher Education Center originated from then-Vice Mayor Richardson, and received approval from City Council for a feasibility study in November 2018. The plan received support from LBCC and subsequently, the property for the Center was secured in August 2022 with a lease agreement with Long Beach Arts District.
In 2023, the interior of the building received various renovations, such as upgraded flooring and electrical systems and the installation of a conference room, computer room and manager’s office. For the exterior, the Center received new roofing, lighting and landscaping as well as a mural organized by the Puente Latino Association.
The North Long Beach Higher Education Center is located at 635 E. South St. and is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about services and programs at the Center, visit LBCC.edu/northlb.
