Long Beach City Hall.

Seeking additional feedback on ways to go about promoting economic development, the city is requesting resident input at upcoming economic development study sessions slated to occur throughout the next month.

The first, set to take place at the Economic Development Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 29 from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at Long Beach City Hall, will deal primarily with the question of how Long Beach can strengthen its economic development and feed largely into the city’s recommendations to the Long Beach City Council.

“Long Beach has seen tremendous growth and increased prosperity over the past few years, and the Blueprint will ensure that growth continues and prosperity is shared by all,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “Our Economic Development Commissioners bring great skill and experience to this process, and I want to thank them for the hard work they are doing on behalf of the city.”

The other two meetings, slated to focus on different components of the business environment, are scheduled for 4:00PM in the City Hall third floor conference room, as follows:

  • Tuesday, December 6 | Focus: Infrastructure and Engines of Economic Growth
  • Tuesday, December 12 | Focus: Creative Economy and the Innovation Economy

In 2015, the Commission was charged with creating an “Economic Development Blueprint,” with the intent of producing an action plan for the city aimed at “stimulating and growing the local economy.” Part 1 of the Economic Development Blueprint was released last month. While no action plan was suggested by the organization commissioned to write the report, Beacon Economics (this is Part I, after all), the city’s growing industries and employment data are out, something the mayor described as a crucial step in maintaining a high-functioning Economic Development Commission.

 

For more information visit www.longbeach.gov/blueprint or contact Eric Romero at [email protected] or at (562) 570-5157.

Those that are unable to attend the study sessions can provide input via Speak Up, Long Beach! at http://speakuplb.org/discussions/economic-development-blueprint, or by email to [email protected].