City of Long Beach Awards $205,000 to Level Up Small Businesses
The Californer/10358923

Long Beach, CA ~ # Long Beach awards $205,000 to 25 businesses through Level Up LB program

The City of Long Beach has awarded $205,000 in grants to 25 businesses that completed the third cohort of its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program.

The program's culmination ceremony was held Sept. 29, 2026. Twenty businesses received grants of $10,000 each, while five alternates who completed the program received $1,000 apiece.

Participants included businesses in restaurants, retail, health and wellness, education and nonprofit sectors across Long Beach. They completed a 10-week program featuring workshops, individualized business counseling and help developing business plans. Each also received a one-year membership to the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and a marketing package from Visit Long Beach.

The city received 219 applications. Of those, 95 qualified for review by a panel of city staff and representatives from the Economic Development Commission, local business organizations and small businesses. Applicants were assessed on their need and readiness, the program's potential impact and the diversity of their locations and industries.

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The 25 grant recipients are 1984 Barbershop, Abby's Beauty Salon, Ace of Spades Tattoo, All In CDL Training, Ambiance Skin Care, American Vintage Barbershop, Antonio's Barber Supply, Auto Stop Insurance Services, Boba Bee, Brakenetic, Guerrero Taqueria, Hacienda Ruan, International City Theatre, Jessbraids Fareal, Long Beach Beer Lab, Long Beach Woodwinds, Lovely Beauty Salon, Pro Spa Nails and Hair, PS Fast Food 168, SEM Computer, Sesame Dinette, Sticky Icky Funnel Cakes, The Bicycle Stand, Unforgettable Lemonade and Wrigley Coffee.

Mayor Rex Richardson said the program invests in entrepreneurs who are helping shape the city's future and strengthens the local economy by expanding opportunities for small businesses.

The program was coordinated by the city's Department of Economic Development & Opportunity, with support from the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, the Small Business Development Center and Visit Long Beach.

The city said its BizCare team assisted more than 2,134 businesses over the past year, while more than 681 received help through the Inclusive Business Navigators Program. In the previous Level Up LB cohort, the city awarded $220,000 to 24 businesses.

The third cohort was funded through a one-time allocation approved by the City Council as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Small businesses seeking city resources can contact the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249 or email BizCare@longbeach.gov.

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