Economic Development

Business Improvement Districts

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) offer the chance for property and business owners to join together to pool funds to be used for agreed upon improvements in their respective business districts. The City of Long Beach supports a BID as a tool for strengthening small businesses, creating and retaining jobs, attracting new businesses, improving quality of life and revitalizing commercial corridors across the city.

What are BIDs?

BIDs create vibrant, clean and safe business districts. They deliver services and improvements above and beyond the baseline services provided by the City. Working with the City and community, BIDs serve as a powerful voice for their business districts.

BID services vary, but generally include the following:

• Business expansion, attraction, and retention
• Marketing and special events
• Place making and beautification
• Public safety and hospitality
• Street cleaning and maintenance

BID Oversight & Management

The City of Long Beach enters into agreements with non-profit organizations (BID Associations) that utilize assessment revenues to provide services and improvements in BID areas. Each BID Association has a Board of Directors that serve as the "Advisory Board" to the City Council. The Board is in charge of recommending key decisions about programs and services, budget, goals, policies, and staffing. BID Associations annually submit an Annual Report to the City Council that makes recommendations, such as annual assessment rates, programs and services, and the budget for the upcoming year. Once approved by the City Council, the BID Association is responsible for delivering the annual BID Program in their respective BID.

BID Funding

BID programs and services are funded by a special assessment billed to merchants or property owners within a district. The methodology used to quantify assessments are unique to each BID and decided upon by each BID's stakeholders. The City of Long Beach assists with the collection of the special assessment, which in turn, is distributed directly to the BID Association responsible for managing the BID. Based on the type of assessment district, collection methods and organization will vary. The BID Association receives 100% of the revenues collected. This revenue is used for purposes described in each BID’s Management Plan and/or Annual Report. 

There are nine BIDs within Long Beach.

For further information, please contact Kyle Smith, Business Improvement District Program Manager, at Kyle.J.Smith@longbeach.gov.