In an attempt to centralize how it assisted businesses through the crisis, Long Beach announced last November that it was launching a new program called BizCare as a kind of one-stop-shop for small business owners. So one year into the program, I was curious to learn how successful it’s been in its mission.

Since the emergence of COVID-19 almost two years ago, medical facilities have faced an onslaught of challenges—from overcrowding to budgetary shortfalls to staff shortages. Some of the challenges were the result of the pandemic and some were exacerbated by it, but many hurdles remain, according to hospital executives.