Economic Development & Opportunity

Long Beach Legacy Business Program

The Legacy Business Program is designed to promote and champion longstanding businesses throughout the city. The Program identifies, recognizes and supports Legacy Businesses with the goal of preserving and amplifying these establishments’ history and community impact, retain their local employment and enhance their exposure to the tourism industry.

Certified Legacy Businesses will be formally recognized and receive City support in areas, not limited to, technical assistance, marketing and promotional assistance, networking and referrals to other business support programs.  

Long Beach businesses are eligible to be recognized as a Legacy Business if they have operated in Long Beach for 10+ years and meet two of the following criteria, or, have operated for 25+ years and meet one of the following criteria:

• Contribute to a sense of history in the surrounding neighborhood.
• Have distinctive architecture, interior design or landscaping
• Support the neighborhood’s cultural life, diversity or identity.
• Actively work to create a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable community.

If you are a business in need of assistance to complete the Program’s application, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or BizCare@longbeach.gov. 

 Apply Now
 Nominate a Business 
 

Map of Long Beach Legacy Businesses (updated April 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the City of Long Beach's Legacy Business Program the same as the Long Beach Heritage's Legacy Business Program?

  Long Beach Heritage's Program has transitioned to the Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity. For more information, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or BizCare@longbeach.gov.

• I do not own the business, but I want to nominate a business for the Long Beach Legacy Program certification. What can I do?

  If you are not associated/affiliated with the business, you can nominate the business for the Certification by submitting a Nomination Form. Staff will review your nomination and if appropriate will reach out to the business directly. 

• Who is eligible, or not eligible, to participate in this program?

  Eligible:

  • Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California. Address cannot be a PO Box or an address that leads to a Shipping Center as their physical location. 
  • Must be private for-profit business including sole proprietorships or 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. 
  • Must have a City of Long Beach business license. The business must hold an active license or have a delinquent license but be in good standing before program induction. Businesses that have closed or canceled their licenses are not eligible for the program.  
  • Must be currently open and active for business
  • Be an independently owned and operated business that is not publicly traded.  
  • Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an “ACTIVE” status with the California Secretary of State. Sole Proprietors are not required to have ”ACTIVE” status with the California Secretary of State.  

   

  Not Eligible:

  • Businesses franchised by or affiliated with a national, corporate chain. 
  • Home-based businesses. 
  • Businesses without a physical location in Long Beach, California. 
  • Businesses that are permanently closed.  
  • Government entities or elected official offices.  
  • Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities.  
  • Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their personal tax returns.  
  • Churches and other religious organizations.  
  • Landlords and property managers.
  • Businesses not in good standing with City loan programs 
  • Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law.  
  • Businesses engaged in any socially undesirable activity or activity that may be considered predatory in nature such as check cashing businesses.  
  • Cannabis-related businesses.

• Is application assistance available?

  Yes! For technical assistance, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or BizCare@longbeach.gov 

• How many businesses will be selected?

  The Program does not have a cap on selected businesses. If a business meets the Program's requirements, the business will be recognized.  

• If my business is certified as a Legacy Business, will the business receive any grant funds?

  No, the Program does not have any grant funds for Legacy Businesses. However, Legacy Businesses may receive City support in areas, not limited to, technical assistance, marketing and promotional assistance, networking and referrals to other business support programs. 

• Does the Program designate businesses as Historic Landmarks?

  No, the Long Beach Legacy Business Program does not designate Historical Landmarks. The Program's focus is to formally recognize Legacy Businesses and their impact to the City's community and economy.

• I am a business that applied to the Program, how can I get a status update on my submitted application?

  Please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or BizCare@longbeach.gov. 

• Can I edit my application after I submit?

  The application form does not allow editing after submission. To correct any errors or missing information, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or BizCare@longbeach.gov. 

• Are any documents required with this application?

  No, documents are not required to apply but are recommended if available. Applicants may be requested to provide supportive documentation as needed to verify eligibility.

  We encourage applicants to include any supplemental materials that support the nomination of their business to the Legacy Business Program. Materials can include information on physical features, traditions, events, and practices discussed in the writing, photographs, awards, and other items.

  • Newspaper/magazine articles
  • Historical and/or current photos
  • Flyers for community/cultural events
  • Awards
  • Letters of support
  • Other documentation related to program criteria