Long Beach awards $54M in small business contracts

Small businesses won more than $54 million in services and materials contracts from the Port of Long Beach, Calif. , in the past fiscal year. The gateway termed a success its Small Business Enterprise Program, which awarded $54.

4 million, or almost 45% of port funds spent on eligible contracts, for services and materials from companies defined as “small business enterprises” and “very small business enterprises.” The port in a release said its staff participated in more than 40 outreach events throughout the year to boost participation in the program.

The goal set for small business enterprise participation at the port, a department of the City of Long Beach, is 27%, which it claimed is one of the highest when compared to other California ports and municipal agencies. The Port’s 44. 6% utilization in the 2025 fiscal year is the third-highest since the program was founded in 2004.

“Our vision to double our cargo to 20 million containers annually by 2050 and build the Port of the Future is going to take a big team,” said Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “We want to make sure smaller businesses – the backbone of the U. S.

economy – are equipped with the knowledge and ability to compete and win port-related construction and professional services contract opportunities.”

The very small business eligibility is equivalent to the state of California’s microbusiness designation, those with $5 million or less in annual gross sales, averaged over the last three fiscal years, or manufacturers with 25 or fewer employees. Conservative network has law protecting U. S. -flag shipping in its sights For 1st time, U. S.

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