We are LIVE at the 2026 State of the City!

The 2026 State of the City address for Long Beach, delivered on January 14, 2026, focused extensively on the city's progress and future plans across multiple sectors. Key procurement and budget-related highlights included the approval of over 5,000 new housing units in the past three years, with 1,200 completed in 2025 alone, and a $25,000 first-time homebuyer grant program. The city is investing $2 million in tenant legal assistance and $16 million annually from LA County for homelessness prevention and housing stability. Infrastructure investments exceed $1 billion through the Elevate '28 program, covering over 180 projects including street repairs and park improvements. The city also announced a $500,000 budget allocation for downtown revitalization and a $378,000 Metro grant for FIFA World Cup events. Long Beach is advancing major capital projects such as the new police training academy, a waterfront amphitheater with over $11 million in sponsorships, and the Belmont Pool rebuild scheduled for completion by summer 2028. Economic development initiatives include the Grow Long Beach strategy, which has created over 4,100 jobs since 2023, and the Accelerate by '28 partnership aiming for 4,000 additional jobs. The city welcomed new corporate investments, including VAST's 76,000 square foot facility and Speedo's North American headquarters. Additionally, the city is supporting small businesses with nearly $9 million in activation funds and launched a first-in-the-nation tariff emergency relief grant program. The address also highlighted the upcoming return of professional baseball to Long Beach with the Long Beach Coast team and the hosting of multiple Olympic and Paralympic events in 2028, emphasizing the city's commitment to inclusive growth, public safety, and community engagement.