Funds to pay for air filtration, energy efficiency upgrades

The Port of Long Beach this week awarded more than $1.3 million through its Community Grants Program for 16 proposed projects to improve air quality and energy efficiency at facilities used by the public.

The Community Grants Program was created in 2016 by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. It is the largest voluntary effort of its kind in the nation. During the program’s 12-15 year lifespan, $46.4 million will be aimed at reducing the impacts of goods movement. Combined with a previous program, the Port has committed $65 million since 2009 to safeguard community health.

“We facilitate the nation’s trade at the Port of Long Beach, but it’s important for us to share the economic benefits more directly with our surrounding communities,” said Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “These projects will help people using these facilities breathe cleaner air and result in less electricity being used.”

To date, there have been four solicitations under the Community Grants Program, totaling $6.6 million in awarded projects.

Grants are selected by Port staff working together with a five-member advisory committee appointed by Mayor Robert Garcia. The committee is chaired by former Long Beach City Councilman Gary DeLong; other members are educator Sabrina Sanders, former Long Beach City College Trustee Irma Archuleta, community organizer Kathleen Irvine and political consultant Joanne Davis.

Port staff made recommendations for funding to the Harbor Commission, which approved the following grants Monday night:

  • YMCA of Greater Long Beach — $16,538
  • Pacific Baptist School (Long Beach) — $26,288
  • Gaines Elementary School (Paramount) — $22,431
  • Jackson Middle School (Paramount) — $65,096
  • Keppel Elementary School (Paramount) — $59,166
  • Tanner Elementary School (Paramount) — $62,645
  • Los Cerritos Elementary School (Paramount) — $70,847
  • Zamboni Middle School (Paramount) — $72,290
  • The Salvation Army Long Beach Corps and Community Center — two projects totaling $333,068
  • Oakwood Academy (Long Beach) — $18,544
  • Young Horizons Ludloff Center (Long Beach) — $14,696
  • Holy Innocents School (Long Beach) — two projects totaling $453,008
  • Camp Fire Angeles  — two projects at DeForest Park totaling $111,137