PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - Up to 5,000 employees at Long Beach-based businesses can receive free face coverings, face shields and hand sanitizer through a new multi-agency effort.

This personal protective equipment (PPE) has been made available to California small businesses through the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in collaboration with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. For additional small business resources, go to business.ca.gov. Other partners include the Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network (PGWIN), the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network (LA SBDC) hosted by Long Beach City College (LBCC).

“We are committed to supporting our local businesses when it comes to getting the equipment and PPE they need to operate safely during this pandemic,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.

Businesses can request the PPE bundles by calling the City’s business hotline at (562) 570-4BIZ (4249) or by completing a request form on the City’s Business support website at longbeach.gov/4BIZ. The PPE bundles are limited to 10 per establishment, and will be offered on a first come, first served basis until supplies are no longer available. To ensure physical distancing at pick-up, each business will receive an appointment pick-up time at a location near them. 

“LBCC understands that small businesses are the economic engines of our country and state, and we are proud to serve as the regional network headquarters for the SBDC,” said Long Beach Community College District Interim Superintendent-President Lou Anne Bynum. “During these incredibly unprecedented times, it is vital that LBCC provides as much support to our local small businesses as we are able – whether it is assistance through the SBDC client guidance process or through the distribution of valuable PPE courtesy of GO-Biz. We are grateful for the support that GO-Biz is providing.”

“We don’t know of another state getting so involved in supporting safe reopenings and thank CalOES and GO-Biz for bringing this opportunity to the small businesses of Long Beach,” said Regional Director for the Los Angeles SBDC Network Pat Nye. “The LA SBDC is proud to add these PPE supplies to the long list of no-cost services we provide to our region’s entrepreneurs.”

Last month, the City issued amendments to the City’s Health Order requiring the use of a face covering when out in public, including when entering and moving throughout a business. Certain public-facing employees, including restaurant servers, are required to wear both a face covering and a face shield, in order to maximize protection for both employees and patrons.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep its residents safe, visit: longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly rated school district, Long Beach Airport and the Port of Long Beach. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 171 parks, miles of beaches, marinas and bike paths. 

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

About the Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network
Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network is a public agency serving Long Beach, Signal Hill and the Los Angeles Harbor communities. PGWIN helps thousands of youth and adult job seekers build their skills, find good jobs, and contribute to their community. PGWIN also connects businesses to the resources they need to find and retain qualified employees, as well as strengthen their organization. For more information, please visit: http://www.pacific-gateway.org/. 

About the SBDC
The SBDC helps small business owners succeed with low-cost training and no-cost one-on-one consulting from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts. The Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network has been hosted by Long Beach City College since 2006 and in that time has helped thousands of area business owners increase their sales, obtain loans, streamline operations, utilize new technologies, expand into new markets, and position themselves for long-term growth. The LA SBDC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and a grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

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