Economic Development Strategy

Oct 26th, 2023

On September 3, 2024, the San Leandro City Council adopted the final version of the 2024 San Leandro Economic Development Strategy, which will guide economic development activities over the next ten years. The Strategy focuses on initiatives to grow San Leandro’s economy, expand the City’s regional image and identity, spur new investment and high-quality jobs, and improve the quality of life for residents. 

Final 2024 San Leandro Economic Development Strategy Documents:

2024 San Leandro Economic Development Strategy
Appendix I – Tech Analysis Report
Appendix II – First Workshop Summary
Appendix III – Second Workshop Summary
Appendix IV – Summary Report on Developing the Creative Economy
Appendix V – Funding Resources

The Vision of the Economic Development Strategy is to build on San Leandro’s unique mix of urban and suburban amenities, combining the community, safety and welcoming spirit of a small town, with the dynamism, accessibility, diversity and innovative enterprises of an urban hub. The Strategy focuses on five values to achieve this vision: innovation, character, quality, equity and community.

The Strategy sets forth six major goals to address San Leandro’s challenges and build on our strengths. Each goal contains more specific strategies and action steps.

  1. Accelerate innovation and growth of target industries
  2. Support transformative development opportunities
  3. Preserve industrial districts and address infrastructure needs
  4. Create vibrant gathering places with quality retail, dining, hospitality, and entertainment
  5. Ensure resident workforce training and education for access to high-quality jobs
  6. Support small businesses and entrepreneurship

Four key action steps will play a critical role in the early stages of implementation:

  1. Innovation Action Strategy – to attract and retain innovative businesses in Clean Tech, Food Tech, Biomedical, Hardware, Robotics, the creative economy, and other emerging industries;
  2. Brand Assessment and Marketing Strategy – to articulate San Leandro’s identity, communicate the city’s advantages, and promote the city’s economic assets;
  3. Retail Action Strategy – to retain San Leandro’s diverse retail culture, attract appealing local and national retail businesses, and grow the city’s entertainment and family-oriented retail options; and
  4. Workforce Partnership Strategy – to connect with businesses about employee and training needs, build partnerships with service providers, and increase job opportunities for local students

The Strategy also outlines ways in which San Leandro can support the creative economy to bring economic activity, foster innovation, attract talent and add vibrancy to the community. This unique and important new analysis identifies opportunities to attract high-wage film and video production companies, empower local talent through culinary arts, and support entertainment zones along key corridors.

The Strategy includes an Implementation Matrix that outlines action steps, responsible staff, and time frames to achieve the goals of the strategy.  Work to implement the Strategy will be evaluated based on performance objectives and deliverables, as well as through the tracking of key economic indicators, such as changes in property value, business activity, development activity, and community income.

Next, the Economic Development Strategy will move into its implementation phase. Over the next year, staff will prepare work plans for the different strategy areas, including an Innovation Action Strategy and Retail Action Strategy. Staff will present a City Council Economic Development Priority Work Plan in the fall/winter of 2024. At that time, prioritization of projects, timing of implementation, and necessary funding may be discussed further.

The presentation of the final Strategy can be accessed here and a recording of the City Council Meeting approving the Strategy can be viewed here.

Creation of the ED Strategy:

The Strategy Will:

  • Articulate a clear vision and pathway for economic development, in line with San Leandro City Council policies; 
  • Assess San Leandro’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for high-quality job growth and business development; 
  • Organize the City’s economic development resources and efforts in the most efficient and effective way possible; 
  • Develop programs to help all San Leandro businesses, including groups who historically have been underserved or faced discrimination; and 
  • Expand the City’s status and visibility in the Bay Area development community. 

Strategy Summary

The Strategy includes several key findings about San Leandro’s economy:

  • The City has opportunities to attract innovation-based industries and to retain existing businesses with growth potential.
  • There is a significant need for upgraded infrastructure and modern industrial flex buildings.
  • The City needs to develop a more prominent image and identity within the region.
  • Development challenges include construction costs, permitting, and financing.
  • San Leandro’s shopping centers need physical improvements and offer more high-end retail options.
  • Career pathways in locally strong industries provide economic opportunities for residents.

Out of the analysis and key findings noted above, the Strategy has developed a clear Strategic Vision to guide economic development efforts, based on five components:

  • Innovation: San Leandro will become the East Bay’s premier location for innovation-based industry.
  • Quality: The City will attract more high-quality retail and transformative development opportunities – including Bay Fair, Downtown and Shoreline – to position the city for long-term economic vitality.
  • Community: The City will remain a diverse and welcoming community, with a vibrant dining and cultural scene.
  • Equity: The City will champion small business support and equitable workforce and entrepreneurship opportunities.
  • Character: Through branding, marketing, and service delivery, the City will build a strong public image and become widely recognized as a destination for creativity, technology, and production.

Based on this guiding Strategic Vision, the Strategy lays out a series of goals, strategies, and action steps. The following are the proposed goals.

  1. Accelerate Innovation and Growth of Target Industries
  2. Support Transformative Development Opportunities
  3. Preserve Industrial Districts & Address Infrastructure Needs
  4. Attract High-Quality Retail & Support Shopping Districts
  5. Facilitate Workforce Development & Education Opportunities
  6. Support Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Community Involvement / Presentations

The Strategy incorporates meaningful input and involvement from every part of the San Leandro community via community workshops, stakeholder interviews, and a series of community focus groups.

At the July 8 Council meeting, members of the public provided their observations and City Council gave additional recommendations on the earlier draft Strategy document. This input further strengthened the final Strategy document that Council will consider for adoption on September 3, 2024.

The City hosted a second Community Workshop on the San Leandro Economic Development Strategy on the evening of Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 6pm in the Senior Community Center (13909 E. 14th Street). At this meeting, residents, businesses and community stakeholders provided feedback and helped prioritize specific strategies and programs that the City may pursue. The proposed strategies for discussion reflected data analysis and extensive feedback from the first community meeting and stakeholder meetings with businesses, property owners, entrepreneurs, and community organizations. The workshop also included a presentation by Strategic Economics.

A prior community meeting was held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro and over 50 members of the community attended. The event was interactive, but also included this presentation by Strategic Economics.

In September 2023, the San Leandro City Council approved a consulting contract with Strategic Economics to develop the Strategic Plan. Click here to read the City Council staff report on the selection of Strategic Economics.

Project Schedule

November 18, 2023 (Completed)
Public Meeting – Community Workshop

January 31, 2024 (Completed)
Public Meeting – City Finance Committee

October-December 2023 (Completed)
Existing Conditions Analysis

January-March 2024 (Completed)
Development of Strategy

March 13, 2024 (Completed)
Public Meeting – Second Community Workshop
Register, Regístrese; 報名

March – June 2024 (Completed)
Additional stakeholder engagement & revisions to Strategy

May 22, 2024 (Completed)
Public Meeting – City Council Finance Committee
Presentation of Draft Goals and Strategies

July 1, 2024 (Completed)
Draft Strategy available for public comment
San Leandro ED Strategy Public Draft

July 8, 2024 (Completed)
Public Meeting – City Council Workshop
Presentation of Draft Strategy Document (Pending Agenda Release)

July-August 2024 (Completed)
Final Strategy produced

September 3, 2024 (Completed)
Recommendation of Council approval of Final Strategy

For More Information:

Contact Economic Development staff at: slnext@sanleandro.org
View past Strategic Documents here.

Comments:

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