The following is a list of the top local business news stories that impacted the City of Long Beach in 2015:

 

January

 

• Mayor Robert Garcia presents his first State of the City address and announces several initiatives

 

• Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Jon Slangerup unveils “energy island” concept during his first State of the Port address

 

February

 

• International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) work slowdown exacerbates port congestion

 

• Virgin Galactic announces move to Douglas Park

 

• Mayor Garcia appoints members of new economic development commission

 

March

 

• Long Beach City Council passes incentive package for small businesses

 

April

 

• City council passes citywide project labor agreement

 

• Long Beach Technology And Innovation Commission holds its first meeting

 

• City pitches former redevelopment properties to developers

 

• Businessman Daryl Supernaw wins special election for 4th District city council seat

 

• Long Beach becomes one of 10 cities in the world to host inaugural e-Prix (Formula E) championship race

 

May

 

• ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association ratify labor contract agreement

 

• City announces members of Innovation Team (i-Team)

 

June

 

• H&M is among the first stores to open at the new Pike Outlets

 

• Mayor Garcia and Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal propose Queen Mary Land Development Task Force

 

July

 

• City council agrees to study U.S. customs facility for international flights at airport

 

• Long Beach Airport gets “negative” outlook from Fitch Ratings as JetBlue cuts flights

 

• California’s new sick leave law goes into effect

 

• Airport tenants call for strategic plan for general aviation operations

 

• Mayor unveils Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 budget

 

August

 

• City council approves new Midtown Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) in Cambodia Town

 

• City council approves studying minimum wage proposal

 

• Toyota extends title sponsorship for Grand Prix

 

• Plenary Edgemoor Civic Partners release new designs for civic center rebuild project

 

September

 

• City council approves contract with Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) to study minimum wage

 

• City council passes FY 2016 budget

 

• City Place Mall owner announces center redesign

 

October

 

• Long Beach Economic Development Commission is given more time to study minimum wage issue

 

• Nearly 800 city employees seek decertification from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union

 

November

 

• Last Boeing C-17 Globemaster III leaves on November 29 as assembly plant officially closes

 

• City council approves Los Angeles-based Urban Commons as new master lessee for Queen Mary

 

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces agreement to move forward with East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Study

 

• Mercedes-Benz USA hosts grand opening of facility at Douglas Park

 

• LAEDC releases results of minimum wage study; Business Journal calls study flawed

 

December

 

•  Port of Long Beach experiences record-breaking cargo volumes for five consecutive months

 

• City council and Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approve civic center rebuild project

 

• City council hears report to add nine flight slots to Long Beach Airport to comply with airport noise ordinance