Small businesses won more than $54 million in services and materials contracts from the Port of Long Beach, Calif., in the past fiscal year.<\/p>\n
The gateway termed a success its Small Business Enterprise Program, which awarded<\/a> $54.4 million, or almost 45% of port funds spent on eligible contracts<\/a>, for services and materials from companies defined as \u201csmall business enterprises\u201d and \u201cvery small business enterprises.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The port in a release said its staff participated in more than 40 outreach events throughout the year to boost participation in the program.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 44.6% utilization in the 2025 fiscal year is the third-highest since the program was founded in 2004.<\/p>\n \u201cOur 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,\u201d said Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Dr. Noel Hacegaba. \u201cWe want to make sure smaller businesses \u2013 the backbone of the U.S. economy \u2013 are equipped with the knowledge and ability to compete and win port-related construction and professional services contract opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n The very small business eligibility is equivalent to the state of California\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Read more articles by Stuart Chirls\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n Related coverage:<\/p>\n Conservative network has law protecting U.S.-flag shipping in its sights<\/a><\/p>\n For 1st time, U.S. approves controversial LNG production ship<\/a><\/p>\n Port Houston\u2019s hurricane playbook: Safety first, cargo moving fast\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n But\u2026but\u2026shipbuilding! Democrats want China port tax reinstated<\/a><\/p>\n Upcoming FreightWaves Events<\/p>\n AI<\/p>\n Supply Chain AI Symposium<\/p>\n Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.<\/p>\n July 15, 2026<\/p>\n The Old Post \u2022 Chicago, IL<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n FreightTech<\/p>\n F3: Future of Freight Festival<\/p>\n Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga – plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.<\/p>\n October 27, 2026 \u2013 October 28, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n \n AI Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.<\/p>\n
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