The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Annual Conference took place in Santa Rosa from April 10-12; this year’s theme was about helping to “elevate” key issues impacting California businesses, the economy, and communities across the state. East Bay EDA Executive Director, Stephen Baiter, who serves as a CALED Board Member, along with East Bay EDA team members, joined representatives from more than a dozen East Bay cities attending the conference.
At the Elevate Awards Luncheon, three East Bay cities were recognized for their outstanding work. In the category of Collaborations and Partnerships, the City of Hayward received an Award of Merit for their work on the Hayward Tuition Assistance with Learn and Earn. In the category of Programs and Promotions, the City of Dublin (City of Dublin Small Business Navigator Program), the City of Pleasant Hill (Website & Social Media Technical Assistance Grant Program), and the City of Hayward (Together for Hayward Gift Card and Shop Local Program), were also named Award of Merit winners. To learn more about other cities recognized, view the program here.
East Bay EDA’s members and partners already know that our region is one of the best in the state – and the nation – to live, work, and do business. “The awards and recognition from CALED for the outstanding work being done in these three East Bay cities cities shows the importance and potential of what happens when local government agencies make investments to drive strategic economic development priorities that help position businesses for success, which in turn strengthen the overall fabric of our communities,”, said Baiter. “We are very fortunate to have an abundance of passionate and talented people leading economic development efforts in so many of our cities across the East Bay, and East Bay EDA has been excited to be leading efforts to better connect these different efforts and networks across the region so that all East Bay communities can maximize their economic potential.”