PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach today announced the Long Beach Recovery Act Small Business and Non-Profit Relief grants, a new recovery program to help small businesses and nonprofits that have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant opportunities, totaling $8.4 million in funding, will provide working capital to eligible small businesses and nonprofits to help them pay for a variety of business expenses, such as payroll, rent, personal protective equipment (PPE), technology upgrades, marketing and more.

“These grant programs will provide much needed support for our local businesses and nonprofits” Mayor Garcia said. “Businesses are an integral part to our Long Beach community and economy. The City is committed to building our economic recovery with equity as a central goal so we can preserve the diversity that enriches our community.”

The program will include the following four grant opportunities for small businesses and non-profit organizations effected by COVID-19:

• Restaurant, Brewery and Bar Relief Grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach food and beverage businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business.
• Personal Services and Fitness Relief Grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach personal services and fitness businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business.
• Small Business Relief Grant will providedirect financial relief to small Long Beach businesses that do not qualify for the Restaurant, Brewery and Bar Grant nor the Personal Services and Fitness Relief Grant. Eligible small businesses can receive between $2,500 and $10,000 to support their business.
• Non-Profit Relief Grant will provide direct financial relief to 501c3, 501c19, and fiscally sponsored nonprofits. Eligible nonprofits can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their nonprofit.

The application period will begin March 16 and will close May 15, 2022. Additional information regarding the application process and eligibility requirements will be outlined in a forthcoming press release.

As part of the City’s efforts to provide application assistance and business resources, the City is partnering with community-based organizations to serve as Business Navigators and offer free assistance for small businesses and nonprofits applying for grant programs. Additionally, the City’s BizCare Program is still operating multiple pop-ups throughout the City where people can learn about and apply for grant opportunities. To learn more about how to receive free application assistance, small businesses and nonprofits can call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4249, email the BizCare team at 4Biz@longbeach.gov, or visit the BizCare webpage at longbeach.gov/bizcare. The BizCare Hotline operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additionally, to help improve and expedite the process for applying and receiving funding for the Long Beach Recovery Act small business and nonprofit grants, the City has contracted with LiveStories to provide comprehensive grants administration support services. LiveStories will be making available the following services:

• A user-friendly online application portal that can translate grant applications in multiple languages;
• Intaking, reviewing, approving, and funding applications via electronic fund transfers; and
• Case management support and a call center to quickly resolve application issues. For technical support, applicants can call (855) 582-3973 or email forward-support@livestories.com. The hours for the support line are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All of the Long Beach Recovery Act small business and nonprofit relief grant programs were developed with input received by small businesses, nonprofits, community partners and the Long Beach City Council through a series of roundtables, presentations, and consultations with local experts.

This opportunity is made possible by Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $20 million has been allocated for business support under the Recovery Act. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.