Economic Development

Long Beach Legacy Business Program

The Legacy Business Program is designed to promote and champion longstanding businesses throughout the city. The Program identifies, recognizes and supports Legacy Businesses with the goal of preserving and amplifying these establishments’ history and community impact, retain their local employment and enhance their exposure to the tourism industry.

Certified Legacy Businesses will be formally recognized and receive City support in areas, not limited to, technical assistance, marketing and promotional assistance, networking and referrals to other business support programs.  

Eligible businesses for the Legacy Business certification must demonstrate they have operated for at least 25 years and meet one of the following criteria, or, have operated for at least 10 years in Long Beach and meet two of the following criteria:

• Contribute to a sense of history in the surrounding neighborhood.
• Have distinctive architecture, interior design or landscaping
• Support the neighborhood’s cultural life, diversity or identity.
• Actively work to create a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable community.

If you are a business in need of assistance to complete the Program’s application, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

Map of Long Beach Legacy Businesses (as of October 2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the City of Long Beach's Legacy Business Program the same as the Long Beach Heritage's Legacy Business Program?

  Long Beach Heritage's Program has transitioned to the City of Long Beach's Economic Development Department. For more information, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

• I do not own the business, but I want to nominate a business for the Long Beach Legacy Program certification. What can I do?

  If you are not associated/affiliated with the business, you can nominate the business for the Certification, simply select "I am nominating the business" in the Program's application. Staff will review your nomination and if appropriate will reach out to the business directly.  

• Who is eligible, or not eligible, to participate in this program?

  Eligible:

  • Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California. Address cannot be a PO Box or an address that leads to a Shipping Center as their physical location. 
  • Must be private for-profit business including sole proprietorships or 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. 
  • Must have a City of Long Beach business license. The business must hold an active or delinquent license. Businesses that have closed or canceled their licenses are not eligible for the program.  
  • Must be currently open and active for business
  • Be an independently owned and operated business that is not publicly traded.  
  • Franchises are eligible. 
  • Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an “ACTIVE” status with the California Secretary of State. Sole Proprietors are not required to have “Active” status with the California Secretary of State.  

  Not Eligible:
  

  • Business is franchised by or affiliated with a national, corporate chain. 
  • Home-based businesses. 
  • Businesses without a physical location in Long Beach, California. 
  • Businesses that are permanently closed.  
  • Government entities or elected official offices.  
  • Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities.  
  • Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their personal tax returns.  
  • Churches and other religious organizations.  
  • Landlords and property managers.
  • Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law.  
  • Businesses engaged in any socially undesirable activity or activity that may be considered predatory in nature such as check cashing businesses.  
  • Cannabis-related businesses.

• Is application assistance available?

  Yes! For technical assistance, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov 

• How many businesses will be selected?

  The Program does not have a cap on selected businesses. If a business meets the Program's requirements, the business will be recognized.  

• If my business is certified as a Legacy Business, will the business receive any grant funds?

  No, the Program does not have any grant funds for Legacy Businesses. However, Legacy Businesses may receive City support in areas, not limited to, technical assistance, marketing and promotional assistance, networking and referrals to other business support programs. 

• Does the Program designate businesses as Historic Landmarks?

  No, the Long Beach Legacy Business Program does not designate Historical Landmarks. The Program's focus is to formally recognize Legacy Businesses and their impact to the City's community and economy.

• I am a business that applied to the Program, how can I get a status update on my submitted application?

  Please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov. 

• Can I edit my application after I submit?

  The application form does not allow editing after submission. To correct any errors or missing information, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov. 

• Are any documents required with this application?

  No, however applicants may be requested to provide supporting documentation as needed to verify their eligibility.