Long Beach Airport (LGB) isn't just where you hop on a flight to avoid the LAX hustle; it turns out it's a significant economic engine for the region. A recently released study by Unison Consulting has quashed any doubts about LGBs impact, revealing that it generates a whopping $9 billion in economic output and supports an army of nearly 42,000 jobs.
"Long Beach Airport and the many surrounding businesses create thousands of jobs and bring in billions of dollars that have a significant impact on our city’s economic vitality," the Long Beach Mayor, Rex Richardson, was quoted as saying in a statement obtained by longbeach.gov. Notably, 2023 marks a century since LGB began its journey as a cornerstone of the local economy.
Not just the airport, but the entire LGB Aviation Complex has been under the lens. Unison Consulting mapped the economic footprint of the area between Clark Avenue and Cherry Avenue, neatly framed by Interstate 405 and Carson Street. Most of this productive slice of land is under the City of Long Beach's ownership. The findings? LGB directly shores up 10,753 jobs, with a labor income of $589 million. Coupled with the surrounding business zone, it's responsible for $2.7 billion in labor income and directly or indirectly supports 41,721 jobs.
Daryl Supernaw, Fourth District Councilman, emphasized the local economic ripple effects, stating, "From job creation to tourism, this report reflects their continued commitment to innovation and supporting our local economy." Just as important are travelers who touch down at LGB, injecting life into the local economy at an average spending clip of $640 each, accounting for more than half of LGB's output. Over 6,400 jobs and around $887 million in economic output can be traced back to visitor wallets, finding their way into accommodations, dining, and other attractions.
Airport Director Cynthia Guidry told longbeach.gov, "The LGB Aviation Complex is a dynamic commercial hub, and this report underscores the importance of it as a catalyst for innovation and opportunity for Long Beach and surrounding communities." Furthermore, the Complex hosts 814 businesses and offers jobs to more than 14,000 workers. Thriving developments like Douglas Park and the Long Beach Exchange only add to the area's allure, particularly for aviation and aerospace outfits.
On the move, the airport isn't just sitting pretty either. Their latest capital improvement projects have been magnets for jobs and billions in economic output. Stepping up, LGB is expecting a record-smashing 4.1 million passengers for the 2023-2024 period, based on projections detailed in the Unison Consulting report, which is up for grabs at lgb.org.
Covering an expanse of coastline with a sprinkle of urban buzz, Long Beach is as diverse as they come. The city fosters a community spirit wrapped in picturesque beaches and downtown vigor, home to the Queen Mary and the splashy Aquarium of the Pacific. The city's economic and cultural fabric is intrinsically woven with LGB, a hub that doesn't just get you from point A to B but also stitches together the community's prosperity.
