Small businesses in Long Beach have just received a financial boost with an additional $250,000 in grants through the Visual Improvement Program (VIP), aimed at helping local businesses that have suffered from crime and vandalism, the city announced Tuesday. The new infusion of cash, unanimously approved by the Long Beach City Council, brings the total to $700,000 committed to this initiative, which began back in January 2023 with initial funding from the Long Beach Recovery Act.
According to information obtained by the City of Long Beach, Mayor Rex Richardson underscored the importance of local businesses, stating, "Long Beach’s small business community is at the heart of our ongoing economic growth and vitality, and the City remains dedicated to supporting and uplifting local entrepreneurs and businesses." These grants can help cover various expenses for eligible businesses, ranging from storefront repairs to business operating costs, including insurance deductibles, a critical aid considering the impact that crime can have on the day-to-day running, not to mention the visual appeal, of these ventures.
A total of 295 VIP grants have so far been disbursed to businesses within the city, signaling a robust engagement from the city's economic department, which first started the program to alleviate the damages from property crimes and vandalism that were being shouldered by local entrepreneurs. The Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez told the same source, "Small businesses are the cornerstone of our community and serve as the foundation for a thriving economy." Criteria for the grants include showing proof of damage since October 1, 2023, having a physical storefront, a City of Long Beach business license, and the business must be independently operated with fewer than 200 employees and gross annual revenues not exceeding $2 million.
Applications will remain open as long as funds are available interested businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to assess their eligibility and apply through the city's website, where detailed requirements and application forms can be found, for those who find themselves crossing these thresholds are given a chance by this lifeline to mend their facades, a chance to restore a sense of normalcy in their commercial dealings. For additional help, the city has provided a BizCare Hotline and an email contact for guidance through the application process or those looking further into the details of the VIP.
The City of Long Beach, home to approximately 466,000 people, extols its full-service charter city status and distinguished amenities, from the Queen Mary to the Long Beach Airport, fostering a sense of both centrality and diversity within its broad tapestry of neighborhoods, all the while keeping tabs on the ebb and flow of its economic tide through proactive measures such as the VIP. To stay informed on up-to-the-minute developments regarding the Long Beach Economic Development Department and local business news, residents and entrepreneurs are invited to follow the city's official channels on social media or sign up for the City's Business Brief.
