$250,000 Awarded to Business Improvement Districts

The City of Long Beach has awarded $250,000 in grants to support local business improvement districts (BIDs). The funding will help boost economic vitality, improve safety, foster collaboration and enhance a sense of pride and connection within Long Beach neighborhood marketplaces and beyond.

The grant funding will enable BIDs to continue to facilitate and expand existing programs and services, customizable to fit the unique priorities of each district, such as improving the cleanliness and safety of commercial corridors, enhancing green space and the environmental streetscape, offering small business support and technical assistance to entrepreneurs, and conducting special events and activations. Each BID will receive a grant ranging between $19,592 and $32,398 depending on the number of units, or businesses, located within its boundaries. Contracted organizations will be required to report on the use of the funds received.

The $250,000 in grants to support local BIDs is funded as part of $500,000 in one-time funds that were proposed under the Mayor’s Recommendations for the City’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and approved by the City Council. The other $250,000 in funds will be utilized to continue providing technical and financial assistance to small businesses throughout Long Beach through support programs such as the Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover Program.

BIDs operate as publicly sanctioned organizations that supplement public services throughout business corridors in the city. By pooling resources and fostering collaboration, BIDs play a critical role in revitalizing neighborhoods and serve as a powerful voice for the businesses in their district. The City supports BIDs as a tool for strengthening small businesses, creating and retaining jobs, improving quality of life and revitalizing commercial corridors.

For more details, check out the official Press Release.