Building upon the Long Beach legacy of aerospace innovation, LBEP recently announced a partnership with Wisk Aero, developer of the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the United States.  LBEP formed the Advanced Air Mobility Task Force, to engage businesses, local government and community leaders to study the feasibility of bringing AAM to Southern California.

The AAM Task Force will evaluate the opportunity for workforce development in this emerging sector, along with community interest, the integration of autonomous aircraft into city transportation plans, and federal and state government funding opportunities, aligned with Federal Aviation Administration standards on use and safety.  LBEP has also coordinated an economic impact study conducted through the Cal State Long Beach Office of Economic Research to estimate annual impacts. The study is expected to be completed later this year!

True to our mission to promote Long Beach as a great place to invest, we also held several economic forums highlighting industries such as: Trade & Transportation, Health Care, Real Estate Development, and Aerospace and Space Beach. These quarterly economic forums have drawn national and international audiences with participants from three countries, six states, with over 650 attendees at each forum. The result – 15 new leases signed by companies now investing in the Long Beach economy.

Closing the Digital Divide – With seed funding from the Long Beach Community Foundation, 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.

Through the ongoing support of Wells Fargo, Union Bank, the Long Beach Community Foundation and the City, we provided ongoing assistance and financial grants to many small businesses to help them endure through the pandemic.

Additionally, thanks to a grant from Prologis, LBEP collaborated with the community in the Santa Fe Corridor to make it safer, more beautiful, and easier for small businesses to attract customers by providing direct grants for storefront improvements, public art, community clean up days, and a neighborhood garden.

Members:
Todd Bauer, Deloitte
Allan Pullman, Studio One Eleven
Tala Baltazar, Laserfiche
Herlinda Chico, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
John Bishop, Memorial Care
Bradley Pollak, Long Beach City College
Meliana Prado, Cal State University, Long Beach
Simon Kim, Cal State University, Long Beach