A Message from Jane Brunner
We all know that the main way to get out of the slow economic recovery is to stimulate job creation. As the Chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee for the Oakland City Council, I believe that the City of Oakland needs to do everything it can to help Oakland’s small businesses, because small businesses create most of our local jobs.
Oakland has a lot to build on. The City is experiencing a renaissance in the arts, entertainment, restaurants, bars, and the food industry. With the success of Jerry Brown’s 10K housing, many young adults are choosing to stay in or move to Oakland, many more eat and visit the night scene. These young adults are starting new businesses. They don’t want to work in Silicon Valley or San Francisco. They want to start their businesses in Oakland.
I have been meeting with the owners and managers of many Oakland small businesses, particularly successful new businesses, and asking them three simple questions:
- What made your businesses successful and who helped you?
- Did the City of Oakland help you or hinder you?
- How can the City help in ways that do not cost additional money?
(Since the City is in such bad shape financially.)
I found some very interesting responses and learned about some exciting new companies.
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