Mission
The City of Long Beach Council of Business Associations is a unified voice for advocacy, acts as an effective communication conduit between business communities, and is a simplified business resource center.
Who makes up COBA?
COBA members are representatives from official Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and associations from across the city. The BIDs include: Downtown Long Beach Associates, Belmont Shore Business Association, Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, 4th Street Retro Row, and East Anaheim Business Association. The associations include Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Naples Improvement Association, Cambodia Town, East Spring Street, and On Broadway.
Any/all business areas in the city are encouraged to send a representative to the monthly COBA meetings to discuss issues that affect business in Long Beach. Best practices and resources are also shared among the group.
Why is the organization so important?
COBA has positioned itself as a partner with City Hall. COBA gives business districts/associations a voice when there is any question or issue with City departments such as Planning, Building, Zoning, Licensing, Public Works, Fire, Water, and Health.
COBA is a conduit and catalyst for businesses to work with City departments to expedite all processes and make Long Beach a truly business friendly city.
A little background information:
The city of Long Beach’s Economic Development Department brought the BIDs/associations together as a way to encourage communication and create partnerships among the members. Once the group was formed and meetings set on a regular basis the city stepped back and let the group run itself. COBA has worked closely with the Health Department, Fire, Business Licensing, Planning, Building, and Zoning to address procedures and issues that may delay a business from opening or expanding.