TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents and technical amendments with WeWork, a privately-held real estate and office share company based in New York City, NY, to provide a work space for the City’s Business Navigators Program, for a period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019, at no cost. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On December 15, 2014, the City of Long Beach (City) was awarded $3,000,000 in funding from the Bloomberg Philanthropies to develop and implement a City Innovation Team (i-team), to investigate and develop strategies that improve local economic development. As part of the initial investigation, City departments identified the need for Business Navigators (Navigators) to serve as liaisons between the City and entrepreneurs to help navigate the business startup process.
On August 2, 2016, the City Council approved an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE) program to provides service-connected veterans with the opportunity for quality work experience in a governmental organization, and to serve as Navigators with the Department of Economic and Property Development (EPD). Navigators and staff from the i-team and EPD are now developing the curriculum and training to help local entrepreneurs connect with business support programs, and navigate the licensing and permitting process.
A key element of making Navigators accessible to entrepreneurs is to locate them in places where entrepreneurs congregate. WeWork is a fee-based co-working space for small business owners and entrepreneurs that offers desks, offices, conference rooms, and common spaces to entrepreneurs who may not be able to afford their own facilities. Located at 100 West Broadway, WeWork has offered to provide a City Navigator with one shared “hot desk” workspace in a common area, at no cost to the City for up to six months at a time. This is valued at $350 per month or $2,10...
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