Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
New Technology and Innovation Director appointment
After an extended acting period, the city has appointed TJ Mal as Director of Technology and Innovation, effective November 16. He brings 25 years of public-sector tech leadership, most recently as CIO at Pasadena City College.
AI Learn and Earn digital skills program
Long Beach's digital skills programs graduated 104 residents in October, giving participants certificates and free computers. The city plans to expand to roughly 400 participants over the next six months, adding youth programs and a YMCA partnership.
Employment services for people with disabilities
The Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network offers free career services, training scholarships up to $7,500, and paid internships for students with IEPs or 504 plans. Commissioners flagged that many young people don't disclose their disabilities, limiting access to these programs.
LA 28 Olympics Small Business Preparation
Long Beach will host 11 Olympic sports and Paralympic swimming, expecting about 2 million ticketed fans. Big issues for residents: reserved freeway lanes, expanded transit, security perimeters, and whether seniors and immigrant communities will be able to participate safely.
EDO budget cuts and sustainable funding for small business programs
Economic Development is cutting two positions and losing one-time redevelopment money that funds award-winning small business programs. The department is betting on new revenue — amphitheater, advertising, kiosks, and a new enhanced infrastructure financing district — to keep programs alive.
Long Beach Amphitheater lease negotiations
With the new music venue opening, parking is a hot topic — $55 at the Pike structures versus $10 or free-with-validation elsewhere downtown. The city ran a trial of its shuttle service the day of this meeting, moving up to 2,000 volunteers and staff from downtown to the venue.
Justice for Black workers in Long Beach
The Coalition Against Anti-Blackness presented data showing Black workers earn about 65 cents per dollar earned by white workers, face double the unemployment rate, and report barriers to promotion and retaliation for speaking up. The commission formed a new ad hoc to partner with the coalition and develop recommendations for City Council.
EDA Revolving Loan Fund grant and administrative plan update
Long Beach won a $750,000 federal EDA grant for its small business revolving loan fund, and adopting the updated administrative plan is the last step to receive the money. Commissioners deferred adoption to August to review the decade-old plan's first update.
Lack of banking access in West Long Beach
West Long Beach has no traditional bank branch, leaving many residents reliant on check-cashing stores and high-fee ATMs. A FUSE fellow is pursuing short, medium, and long-term pathways to bring financial services to the area, including a bankers' roundtable in April 2026 and a possible Self-Help Federal Credit Union loan center.
Long Beach Economic Partnership rebrand and sustainability
The city's public-private economic development arm is rebranding as Invest Long Beach by June, with $500K in public funding over three years and a goal of 8,000 new jobs by 2028. The CEO is studying how to become mostly privately funded, modeled on groups like the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
Know Your Rights and rapid response for immigrant-owned businesses
With immigration enforcement affecting local businesses, the city funds Know Your Rights outreach that has reached 300+ businesses, plus a rapid-response team that responds to raids and vandalism within hours. Funding runs through September 2026 unless extended.
Creative economy workforce training contract
The board approved up to $48,000 in federal WIOA funds for Codega Media to train ten residents for entertainment industry jobs, tied to Long Beach's growing amphitheater and film presence. The pilot could expand if successful.
Black economic equity and anti-Blackness in city systems
Public commenters repeatedly pressed the commission on Black economic equity: 65% of Black renters in California are rent-burdened, Black workers hold about 6% of the city's higher-paying jobs despite being 11% of the workforce, and a racial discrimination lawsuit by Black city workers just settled. Commenters demanded the city fund equity offices and address anti-Blackness systemically.
Port of Long Beach 2050 growth vision
The port wants to double its container volume to 20 million TEUs by 2050, mostly by shifting cargo from trucks to trains via its $3.2 billion capital program. That could mean fewer truck trips on local roads and more port-related jobs, though tariff and Middle East conflict uncertainty looms over trade volumes.
Leadership transition in Technology and Innovation Department
Director Lea Eriksen is leaving for Culver City after eight years leading Long Beach's award-winning digital equity and AI work. A recruitment for a permanent director and transition plans are coming, and Ryan Kurtzman is taking on an interim role.
LA 28 Olympics impacts on Belmont Pier vendors and shoreline security
The entire beachfront will be secured during the 2028 Games, and longtime pier concession operators may be displaced with no clear relocation plan yet. Commissioners also flagged security costs and the city's $83 million deficit as concerns to raise with the LA 28 presenting team.
New self-sufficiency standard for workforce training eligibility
The board adopted the Economic Policy Institute family budget calculator to decide who qualifies for job-training services, replacing older income measures. It better reflects real local costs like rent, childcare, and healthcare, so more families who genuinely need help should qualify.
$14.7M California Jobs First aerospace and defense bid
Long Beach led a cross-regional application for $14.7 million to build a Space Beach Command Center coordinating aerospace and defense workforce and business development across Southern California, targeting 500-900 job placements. Award decisions are expected this summer.
Local layoffs and rapid response
Amazon is laying off 168+ workers in Long Beach, Full Stack Modular has filed a warning with potentially 205 affected workers, and Lakeshore Learning cut 163 jobs in Carson. The network is connecting affected workers to retraining and EDD resources.
Long Beach Amphitheater funding increase
The city put another $7.3 million into the waterfront amphitheater near the Queen Mary, bringing the project to about $21.3 million. Staff say premium upgrades will boost revenue and the venue will repay the Tidelands Fund in roughly eight years, with a summer 2026 grand opening.