The Grant requirements are designed to bring funding, financial training, and 1:1 counseling to the small business owner to increase probability of the small business owner’s survival in the pandemic. Many thanks to our partners at Omniworks for implementing these programs in the community
Covid-19
Response
The Long Beach Economic Partnership launched a microgrant program on June 1, 2020. From inception, LBEP wanted to provide funding (initially $500, later increased to $1000) to small businesses impacted by COVID-19, that had not benefited from PPP and EIDL and were operating in areas often underserved by business support programs.
Grant
Results
LBEP provided COVID resiliency capital and financial training to 135 Long Beach small business owners in traditionally under resourced areas. This was made possible thanks to funding from Wells Fargo Bank, Union Bank, and Citibank, with their commitments to help minority and underserved businesses in Long Beach.
What’s
Next
We’re committed to helping small businesses weather the pandemic and recovery throughout 2021. Our next round of grants and training will be focused on helping Long Beach small businesses understand the technology tools that can help them reach more customers, stay safe, and operate more efficiently.
Digital Inclusion for
Small Business Recovery
Digital
Divide
COVID restrictions have forced all kinds of businesses to move more of their business online – but many small businesses in Long Beach need help figuring out which tools they really need and what the best options are. On top of that, it’s hard to pay for digital products when cash is tight during a downturn.
Closing the
Gap
With seed funding from the Long Beach Community Foundation, the LBEP is providing technology training and 1 on 1 coaching to local small businesses, as well as grant funding to help owners pay for the tools they really need. Whether that’s a new POS system for contactless payments, paid social media ads, or accounting software subscriptions – we’ll help local businesses get the training and capital they need.
Santa Fe Corridor Improvement Grants
Thanks to Prologis Inc, the LBEP is working with the community in the Santa Fe Corridor to make it safer, more beautiful, and easier for small businesses to attract customers. We’re providing direct grants for storefront improvements, public art, community clean up days, and a neighborhood garden.
