PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - As COVID-19 cases surge locally, regionally and across the state, Long Beach is continuing to offer new resources for businesses in need of assistance during this unprecedented time. 

“We are committed to continuing to support our small businesses that have been impacted most by the pandemic,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “The new Outdoor Dining Grant Program will provide financial assistance to help offset expenses incurred by businesses during this crisis.”

The City of Long Beach Outdoor Dining Grant Program will provide financial relief to Long Beach bars, breweries, distilleries, restaurants and wineries. It will administer grants up to $10,000 to reimburse a variety of existing eligible expenses associated with operating outdoors. Eligible expenses must have been incurred between June 1, 2020 and Dec. 28, 2020.

The Outdoor Dining Grant Prequalification Form opened today, Friday, Dec. 18, and will close on Monday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility Requirements 
To qualify for a grant, businesses must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must be located in Long Beach and have been impacted by COVID-19.
• Must have obtained a City of Long Beach business license by March 1, 2020.
• Must have received prior approval to operate outdoors with one of the following:
  • An approved COVID-19 Outdoor Activities Permit (OAP)
  • An approved COVID-19 Parklet Permit
  • An approved Sidewalk Permit
• Must be operating a bar, brewery, distillery, restaurant or winery in adherence to the City Health Order and Regional Stay at Home Order; must not be permanently closed.
• Business owners that own multiple eligible establishments may apply more than once. However, businesses will only be eligible for a second grant if funds remain after all applications have been reviewed.

Use of Funding 
All funds must be spent on eligible expenses related to outdoor dining and in response to compliance with COVID-19 Health Orders. Eligible expenses include the following: 

• Cladding
• Contactless payment systems
• Deck installation/improvements
• Furniture
• Lighting
• Heaters/warmers
• Personal protective equipment
• Sanitization equipment
• Signage
• Shade sails
• Safety equipment/supplies (e.g., barriers, reflectors, etc.)
• Tents/canopies

Purchases must be made between June 1, 2020 and Dec. 28, 2020. Only existing eligible expenses will be reimbursed. All documentation will be thoroughly reviewed.

Application Process 
To apply for the Program, businesses shall complete the following steps:

• Visit the City’s Outdoor Dining Grant Program webpage.
• Review Outdoor Dining Grant Program eligibility requirements.
• If eligible, complete the online Outdoor Dining Grant Prequalification Form.
• Businesses that are prequalified by the City will be required to submit the following information before receiving final approval for a grant award:
  • Business owner’s valid government photo ID (i.e. driver’s license)
  • Proof of City of Long Beach COVID-19 Outdoor Activities Permit, COVID-19 Parklet Permit, or Sidewalk Permit
  • Receipts, paid invoices and/or other supporting documentation that verifies all expenses are eligible for reimbursement under the Outside Dining Grant Program
  • Copy of City of Long Beach Business License
• Businesses that are approved for a grant will be required to submit the following upon request:
  • Signed Grant Agreement
  • W9 Form

Businesses that require assistance completing the online Outdoor Dining Grant Prequalification Form may call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) to receive assistance or visit one of the City’s BizCare pop-ups. The pop-ups provide business owners or their representatives with free one-on-one, in-person support to complete grant applications and learn about other business and community resources, such as loans and free technical assistance. Multilingual translation services are available on-site at each of the pop-ups.

BizCare pop-ups are currently taking place through Dec. 30, as follows:

• Mondays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.)
• Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.)
• Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
• Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mark Twain Neighborhood Library

For more information about business assistance and resources, people can go to the Business Support webpage or contact the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep its residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

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