Long Beach Port Awards $54M to Small Businesses in Record Year

6% of eligible spending and marking the third-highest utilization rate since the program's inception in 2004. This performance substantially exceeds the port's 27% participation goal—already one of the highest among California ports—and reflects an intensified commitment to supplier diversity as the port pursues its ambitious "Port of the Future" vision. For supply chain professionals managing procurement at major infrastructure assets, this trend signals a structural shift in how leading ports are approaching vendor relationships and workforce development.

The port's strategic participation in over 40 outreach events throughout the year demonstrates that achieving inclusive procurement targets requires sustained engagement, not passive systems. Organizations sourcing through Long Beach—whether for services, materials, or construction—should anticipate a growing emphasis on SBE qualifications and may find competitive advantages in establishing relationships with certified small and very small business enterprises. The implications extend beyond Long Beach itself.

As major transportation hubs adopt similar frameworks, suppliers and logistics service providers should prepare for evolving RFQ requirements that prioritize small business partnerships. Meanwhile, supply chain teams should recognize this as both an opportunity to strengthen local supply bases and a signal that ports are increasingly evaluating vendors on diversity metrics alongside traditional cost and service criteria.