April 1999
Ask anyone what's best about Long Beach and you'll learn quickly that its location tops most lists for reasons which include a near-perfect climate, quintessential "California Dreaming'" lifestyle, and proximity to every terrain and landmark in the Southland. Being squarely in the midst of the best marketplace in America and a natural magnet for trade and tourism, Long Beach is, no doubt about it, ideally situated. More proof that Long Beach today is a compelling choice...
Long Beach Repeats as Top Spot in L.A. for New Buyers
A real estate consulting group, which conducts more than 600 feasibility analyses for the top developers, investors and lenders in the real estate industry, has again named Long Beach the most desirable location in Los Angeles County for new home buyers. The Meyers Group survey of communities with populations greater than 100,000 concluded that Long Beach is the only large city in Los Angeles County that is close to all the major employment centers and offers quality housing for less than $300,000. It also considered such factors as retail services, perceived crime rate, new home availability, school districts, recreational amenities and climate.
CSULB First California College to Warranty Its New Teachers
Demonstrating supreme confidence in its education program, California State University, Long Beach is the first university in the state to warranty its new teachers by offering them support if they are having difficulty during their first year of teaching. To maximize effectiveness, assistance is available only to teachers whose classrooms are within the university's service area. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley, who considers CSULB to be at the forefront of teacher training nationally, now is urging all education programs to follow this innovative warranty model. CSULB is one of the top producers of teachers in California.
L.B. Aquarium Sets Membership Record
The mysteries of the Pacific Ocean and the creatures that swim in its waters need little salesmanship, as is evidenced by the fact that no other American aquarium has a larger membership base than the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. Last month, membership in the Aquarium passed the 132,500 mark with 50,000 households represented. The Aquarium, which already has racked up 1.5 million visitors even before celebrating its first anniversary next June, has extended its hours of operation in anticipation of intensified crowds during its second year. Plans are in the offing for expansion.
Marriott to Build Upscale Hotel Downtown
A 430-room, 20-floor Marriott hotel, now approved for construction at the corner of Pine Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, is just what Long Beach's tourism industry will need when the enormous Queensway Bay retail and entertainment complex is completed in 2001. Already possessing the most ocean-view hotel rooms of any city in Southern California, Long Beach will be hungry for additional luxury hotel rooms downtown to accommodate the projected six million annual visitors to our shoreline.
Sea Launch Makes History
Sea Launch Co., a multinational venture whose home port is Long Beach, etched its name into history last month when it successfully launched a commercial rocket into orbit from a floating platform in the equatorial Pacific. (Launches at the equator allow a rocket to carry more weight into space that they can from other latitudes.) The demonstration launch was a critical step for the company, which hopes to capture a chunk of the growing business of boosting communications satellites. Major satellite manufacturers are located near Long Beach, where the Sea Launch Co. has built a payload processing facility on a 17-acre site in the Port of Long Beach. Sea Launch already is contracted to make 16 launches.
49ers a Year-Round Volleyball Powerhouse
It's a banner year for CSULB volleyball. First, the 49ers-arguably the best team ever in collegiate women's volleyball-won the 1998 national title with a perfect 36-0 season. Next, the NCAA's Division 1 volleyball committee recommended that its 2004 women's Final Four tournament be held in Long Beach. And now, the CSULB men's volleyball team, which last won the national championship in 1991, has been ranked as the nation's top team in both the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Volleyball Magazine polls.
Gulfstream Growing
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation's success is Long Beach's success, as was demonstrated last year when the aircraft manufacturer's local workforce expanded by nearly 50 percent and its payroll grew in 12 months from $28.4 million to $41.1 million. Long Beach is home to Gulfstream's West Coast completion and service center. Gulfstream manufactures the world's first and most technologically advanced, ultra-long range business jet aircraft, the Gulfstream V. Last year, the corporation received the coveted Robert J. Collier trophy honoring the top aeronautical achievement in the United States.
L.A.'s Largest New Retail Center Opens
The 102-acre Long Beach Towne Center, the largest retail project to break ground last year in L.A. County, is scheduled for completion next month. The $11 0 million project contains about 70 stores, numerous restaurants, a 26-screen movie multiplex and L.A. County's first AutoNation car dealership, providing the Long Beach vicinity with another alternative in an already multifaceted retail environment. The center is 99 percent leased. Developed by Vestar, Long Beach Towne Center is expected to generate $3 million annually in sales tax revenue
Mayor O'Neill Honored for Excellence in Economic Development
For five years the City of Long Beach has put its shoulder into retooling its economy, with particular emphasis on trade, tourism and technology. Now the payoff-a robust economy-has begun, and no one deserves more praise for success than Long Beach's popular mayor, Beverly O'Neill, who, it has just been announced, will be honored by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation for her outstanding contributions. The first individual from the public sector to receive LACEDC's EDDY Award for economic development excellence, Mayor O'Neill is being recognized for guiding the renaissance of commercial, retail and tourism venues in Long Beach and the implementation of an effective business attraction and development program, in addition to leading participation in regional partnership initiatives.
Long Beach Celebrates the Millennium With a Splash
Long Beach Splash 2000 is a citywide, citizen-driven, year-long celebration of our city during which everyone will pitch in by making our city cleaner, safer and better. In addition, we will celebrate with more parades and special events than ever. You can become involved right away or obtain a calendar of events by calling (562) 436-3645, ext. 522.
Advertising Campaign Promotes Long Beach
A high-impact advertising campaign, which touts Long Beach as an ideal community in which to establish a business, is appearing in various business and economic development trade publications thanks to the investment of private and public partners of Long Beach Strategic Marketing, Inc. who are committed to sustaining Long Beach's economic vibrancy. We are deeply appreciative that these partners share an abiding concern for the future of our city.
Long Beach Today is published by Long Beach Strategic Marketing, Inc. a non-profit corporation which wants you to know that Long Beach is an outstanding city for business and a wonderful place to live. For additional copies or for a disc of graphics which may be used to help promote Long Beach, contact: Debbie Juliff, (562) 436-3645, ext. 112. One World Trade Center, Suite 300, Long Beach, CA 90831. Volume 1, Number 4.
