Advisory Board: Economic Development Committee
Subject: Report on County economic development work program
Presenter: Staff
Contact: Alyson Greenlee, Economic Development Manager, 925-655-2783
Information:
Since the last meeting of the Economic Development Committee on August 7, 2025, various elements of the economic development work program have proceeded. This report includes updates on multiple efforts.
Referral History and Update:
• Economic development staff from the County received U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Notification of Award on September 9, 2025, for a $1.2 million FY225 EPA Brownfields Grant. Economic development staff from the County have set up an initial grant meeting with the EPA Project Officer and the Brownfields Coalition in collaboration with the cities of Antioch, Martinez, and Pinole, and community partner Sustainable Contra Costa.
• Economic development staff from the County attended the California Land Recycling Conference from September 16-18, 2025, in Carson. Economic development staff from the County supported the successful presentation by the Central Assembly of Richmond that won the Pitch Perfect Award Competition for the Triangle Development District in El Sobrante. County staff also coordinated with Advanced Planning to provide market information for the winning proposal.
• Economic development staff from the County responded on August 25, 2025, to a letter from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) with a signed request to carry forward the application for a $1.2 million grant to support the pre-development strategy for high-performance battery manufacturing on the Northern Waterfront for reconsideration at the next competitive Investment Review Committee meeting.
• Economic Development Staff from the County are working with TeamCalifornia and the Cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Concord, Oakley, and Pittsburg to host the Meet the Consultants Site Selectors’ Conference that will be held at Concord Hilton from November 5-7, 2025. County staff are working with East Bay Economic Development Alliance and the County Airports Director to host a pre-conference bus tour. County staff are working with the Office of Communications and Media and the San Francisco Business Times on media and promotion of this event where 250 attendees are expected (See Attachment).
• Economic development staff from the County coordinated a Countywide Economic Development Meeting with the economic development staff from the 19 cities plus the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County on August 20, 2025. The meeting included presentations from the California State Treasurer’s Office and from the CleanFund on California Capital Access Programs (CalCAP) and GoGreen Financing. Economic development staff from the County are coordinating an upcoming meeting with all the economic development staff on October 28, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County provided over 60 businesses with direct assistance since the last meeting of the Economic Development Committee on August 4, 2025. This assistance included: Access to market information, Access to zoning information, Access to funding and contracting opportunities, Access to startup assistance. Economic development staff from the County also coordinated with Current Planning and the Application and Permit Center for delivery of this assistance. Economic development staff from the County continue to provide tailored outreach to the 3,715 businesses in the unincorporated community using the Bludot Customer Relationship Tool, responding to enquiries and setting up business follow-up meetings (See Attachment).
• Economic development staff from the County reviewed one Request for Information (RFI) from the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz).
• Economic development staff from the County participated in the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Accredited California Economic Developer (ACE) Program in Fresno on August 11-14, 2025.
• Economic Development staff from the County participated in the Diablo Valley Tech Initiative (DVTI)’s “Tech Presentation & Social Meetup” in Pleasant Hill on September 4, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participated in the East Bay Small Business Development Center’s “Startup World Cup” in Hayward on September 10, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participated in East Bay Economic Development Alliance’s “East Bay Global Forum” in Berkeley on September 11, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participated in Innovation Tri-Valley’s “State of the Tri-Valley” in San Ramon on September 10, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participated in the Aviation Advisory Committee in Concord on September 11, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County attended the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Real Estate and Investment Summit in Ventura on September 16-17, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participate in the District 5 2025 Youth Summit in Pittsburg on September 20, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participated in the Bay Area’s Jobs First Collaborative’s Monthly Stakeholder Meeting (virtual) on September 24, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participated in the East Bay Small Business Development Center, City of Antioch’s and City of Concord’s East Bay Capital Summit in Concord on September 25, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County participated in the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County’s Partners Convening Meeting in Concord on September 26, 2025.
• Economic development staff from the County continue to provide staffing support to the Green Empowerment Zone.
• Economic development activities are funded by a General Fund allocation of $500,000 dating from 2017-2018. As of May 31, 2025, there was a balance of -$288,589.99 for Economic Development.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE report from and/or PROVIDE direction to staff regarding County economic development work program.