City of Oakland California

To set priorities, we're taking a strategic look at the big picture. We're soliciting input from the community and asking: What do we want the character of Oakland to be? What kinds of business and development projects do we want, and where should they be located?  As our strategy becomes clearer, we’ll determine what we need to do to bring that strategy to life.

We urge you to get involved! Check for meetings on the events calendar in the lower left of this page.

Our immediate priorities for economic growth

• Support city-wide retail development through strong business improvement districts, merchant associations and retailer recruitment
• Focus on key Traded Sectors: Clean Tech, Specialty Food, International Trade & Logistics, Creative Arts and Media & Tech industries
• Collaborate with the Port of Oakland to develop the Oakland Global Trade & Logistics Center, a modern logistics and warehouse complex, creating significant jobs and business opportunities
• Leverage the success of our nationally respected hospitals and health care providers
• Identify land and build the infrastructure to attract larger-scale tech and life sciences facilities
• Build a more positive relationship with our sports teams to bring people, dollars and excitement to our city
• Support the economic development activities of five Specific Plans
• Support the growth of existing businesses

The City of Oakland's Office of Economic & Workforce Development has prepared a report on Economic Indicators that helps articulate the factors that contribute to Oakland’s economy and how those factors shape the city’s economic well-being. The most important news is that, after the rollercoaster of the past decade, Oakland’s economy has stabilized and is regaining strength. Click here to view the Economic Indicators Report from April 2013.

• Streetcars Might Make a Comeback in Oakland
• Oakland Building Green Business insert from the San Francisco Business Times
• Oakland waits for hotels to check in  
• Oakland's real estate market heats up  
• Oakland a Hot Tech Startup Hub  
• Oakland ranks No. 11 on list of best cities for tech startups  
• Town Crier: Oakland named nation's most exciting city? Yes!  
• Port of Oakland names new executive director 
• Oakland ‘Brooklyn Basin’ waterfront development to launch with investor funds
• Mosaic gets approval to offer $100 million in solar investments  
• Oakland Among Top Cities for Tech Startups 
• Henderson snaps up another Oakland landmark 
• Spec logistics center in Oakland looks for first tenants  
• It’s the food: Eateries feed Oakland rise   
• Oakland Leasing Healthy, Becomes “Cool Place”
• Safeway to reinvent Oakland's Broadway store  
• Oakland 'Coliseum City' Receives More Funding: $1 Million Approved For Study
• SKS granted extension on big Oakland tower
• The Year of the Boutique
• Businesses, city leaders say in Oakland, economy is rebounding
• Westcore Properties Acquires Tower In Downtown Oakland 
• East Bay condo market rebounds, inventory shrinks  
• Oakland Structures 2012
• Oakland Structures 2012 map
• Projects in the Pipeline for 2013  
• The Oakland '09ers 
• Developer plans 28-story tower for Oakland’s Uptown  
• Mayor Quan says Oakland 'is on the upswing' 
• Restored Ogawa Plaza Anchors Downtown Renaissance 
• Oakland Army Base deal signed Tuesday
• The Choose Oakland insert in the October 12, 2012, issue of the San Francisco Business Times highlights what makes Oakland a great business location. Click here to view the insert.
• Tech legend sees SoMa -- in Oakland
• Oakland Named Among America's 50 Best Cities
• Oakland logistics center project creates job gusher  
• Portfolio pioneers retail at Oakland Auto Row  
• After transforming Oakland's downtown, three temporary spaces secure long-term locations
• Pandora expands Oakland office space in CIM Group tower
• Oakland builds on industrial muscle
• City Council Greenlights Oakland Army Base Project
• Why Startups Hella Love Oakland
• The City of Oakland Leads Nation in Real Estate Recovery
• Top 10 metros with greatest drop in for-sale inventory
• American Cities are Revitalizing Their Downtowns and Recreating Their Profiles
• The Oakland Structures insert in the November 25, 2011 issue of the San Francisco Business Times provides a snapshot of Oakland's vibrant economy and some of the exciting projects underway. Click here to view the insert. 

We have compiled a library of relevant business related articles on Oakland - everything from new business openings to real estate deals. Click here to visit the article library.

We're here to help your business prosper and grow in Oakland! You'll find a variety of programs and services--whether you're starting a new venture, growing your Oakland business or relocating in Oakland. A helpful guide, Oakland backs Business, lists resources for doing business in Oakland.

Oakland is California’s most strategic location for companies whose success depends on the ability to move goods and ideas quickly and seamlessly over air, water, land or cyberspace. Oakland is a renaissance city with abundant development and investment opportunities. We offer a range of locations, incentives and other resources to help locate, establish and grow your business in our city.

Learn about the eight key industries.