PRESS RELEASE

      
Above: Two of the 29 selected awardees from the Inclusive Business Navigators Microgrant Program
receive their checks on Oct. 9, 2024.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (Department), through the Long Beach Recovery Act, has awarded $85,000 in grants to support 29 startups and micro-entrepreneurs citywide with launching or growing their business.

“Long Beach welcomes and supports micro-entrepreneurs and startups across all industries and professions,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “By empowering small enterprises with resources and access to capital, we are cultivating a vibrant local economy that thrives on creativity and collaboration.”

The Inclusive Business Navigators Microgrant Program (Microgrant Program) application period ran from July 29 through Aug. 26, 2024. The Department received 167 applications, of which 115 qualified for review and 29 were selected based on the strength of their business and grant investment plans. Twenty-four businesses were awarded $2,500 and five received $5,000 grants.

Selected businesses include:

• Catalina Reynoso Law
• Debbie Gonzales
• Dreamy Vegan
• Easy Mind, LLC
• FindsxFollies
• Fit After 50 SoCal
• Green Essence Cleaning
• Host, LLC
• Karina M Hanson
• Mahj Club
• Modern Noble International
• Native Bloom Landscape Design
• Nichole Wesson Coaching & Consulting
• Nonprofit Support Agency
• Nova Bakery
• PQ Prints
• Pailin Souvenir
• Paniq Room Long Beach
• Phnom Pich Jewelry Int'l
• Pop! Art Studios
• Radical Sewist
• Say Front
• Second Breakfast Jewelry
• Storybook Speech Services
• Taylor K. Smith, LMFT
• The Acumen Agency
• The Counseling Clinic
• The Lip Survis
• VG Entertainment

“We’re committed to investing in local entrepreneurs and providing the essential tools and funding to help launch and grow small businesses,” said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez. “We congratulate the 29 recipients of our Microgrant Program and look forward to their continued success in Long Beach!”

The City remains dedicated to creating economic opportunities for workers, investors and entrepreneurs. Over the past year, more than 436 businesses have received assistance through the Inclusive Business Navigators Program, which provides free technical assistance, workshops and business coaching and advising services. Additionally, on Sept. 19, the Department awarded $266,000 in grants to 29 small businesses citywide through its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program.

The Microgrant Program aligns with Goal 4, Strategy 2 of Long Beach’s Racial and Reconciliation Initiative to partner with local organizations to facilitate business navigation services through inclusive, neighborhood-based business centers, and Goal 1, Strategy 8 to increase access to capital for business ownership.

This Microgrant Program is made possible by the 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. More than $20 million has been allocated to provide direct business support, which includes prioritizing small businesses and nonprofits heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.

To learn more about programs and resources for small businesses, those interested can call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or email 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Economic Development Department, visit longbeach.gov/ed, and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City’s Business Brief.