Economic Development Strategic Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
August 31, 2017
What is the Economic Development Strategic Plan?
The Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) will be the City’s roadmap to achieving economic growth, while at the same time improving the quality of life of Alameda residents and employees. The City's last EDSP was created in 2001 and updated in 2008. Among other things, the previous EDSP led to the restoration of the Alameda Theatre, the development of Alameda Landing, and the redevelopment of Bridgeside Shopping Center, now anchored by the Nob Hill supermarket.
What experts has the City engaged to work on the EDSP?
At the City Council meeting on July 5, 2016, the City selected Strategic Economics as the consultant to prepare the plan in conjunction with Economic Development staff. Strategic Economics has been working with the community to understand its economic development concerns and interests, and to help guide the discussion about what is feasible in Alameda with respect to economic development.
What is the Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Panel?
In October 2013, staff recommended that the Alameda City Council create a Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel (“the Panel”) to enhance the business climate of Alameda's business parks and commercial districts, and support the growth of Alameda's major commercial and industrial business clusters, by providing both strategic policy and tactical business attraction and retention advice. City Council confirmed the Mayor’s nominees for the Panel in April 2016. The Panel’s roster can be found here.
What community engagement efforts have been taken for the EDSP?
Community engagement is a key component of the EDSP and to date has included public meetings of the Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Panel, Planning Board, and City Council. The City facilitated two community workshops and a public online community survey. The City organized focus groups that included dozens of representatives from City departments, retail, bio/clean/high tech, workforce development, tourism, maritime, specialty food and beverage manufacturing, the Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee, labor organizations, and housing advocates. Staff also received additional feedback from 19 one-on-one interviews.
What is the EDSP Task Force?
In February 2017, Council, as part of its discussion on the draft EDSP, directed staff to solicit more input from other key sectors, including labor and housing advocacy. An ad hoc task force was created following staff outreach to representatives of these sectors, business associations, and members of the planning Board and Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Panel’s EDSP Sub-committee. A Task Force description and roster can be found here. This advisory Task Force will convene six to eight planning meetings and will dissolve when the EDSP has been drafted.
At its first meeting, the Task Force asked staff to add members to increase ethnic and age diversity, and staff is in the process of identifying and reaching out to prospective new members.
What is the timeline for developing the EDSP?
It is anticipated that a draft EDSP will be presented in public meetings early next year to the Economic Development Advisory Panel and the Planning Board for their review, and then to the City Council for final review and approval.
Where can I find more information on the EDSP including project scope and schedule, information from previous meetings, and background documents?
Information about the EDSP is posted online here: https://alamedaca.gov/business/strategic-plan. If there is something you are looking for, please email Eric Fonstein efonstei@alamedaca.gov and we will update the site ASAP.
