Welcome to the East Bay Digest—your monthly overview of the latest economic development updates from cities across the East Bay. This August edition highlights key news and announcements from each of our region’s seven dynamic subregions. Thank you to our Economic Development Directors’ Council members for contributing information and highlights. Learn more about the East Bay and its communities.
Central Alameda County
Fremont
-
Quanta Computer is building a new 210,000 sq ft advanced manufacturing facility at Prologis’s Fremont campus and aims to double its local workforce to ~4,000 over 18 months to meet demand for AI hardware. More info.
-
The 60,000 sq ft Agility Robotics facility opened in Fremont, showcasing the Digit robot for workplace automation. This expansion is expected to create new local jobs in AI and robotics. Learn more.
- MiTAC is expanding on nearly 470,000 sq ft at the Bayside Campus (Warm Springs), potentially adding over 1,000 jobs in AI server manufacturing.
Read here. - The 42nd annual event brought over 30,000 people, significantly energizing downtown businesses with live music, vendors, and community engagement. Read here.
Livermore
- The Livermore City Council approved General Plan 2045, which emphasizes climate resilience, mixed-use growth, downtown/South Livermore vitality, and healthy communities. Read more.
- City Council amended the development agreement with McGrath RentCorp, enabling potential residential rezoning of ~100+ acres in the Midtown area and guaranteeing that ~40 acres will be transferred to a commercial user by January 2027. More info.
- At the summit in Livermore, Mayor Marchand highlighted new ribbon-cuttings for Inertia Enterprises (fusion-tech HQ, 50,000 sq ft) and Velo3D (metal 3D printing, ~289,000 sq ft facility), underscoring local high-tech growth. Read more.
Central Contra Costa County
Richmond
- The Bay Area Air District issued a preliminary HRA under Rule 11‑18 for the Chevron Richmond Refinery (Aug 25). A 90-day comment period is open, with a community meeting set for Sept 21, 2026. Learn more.
Martinez
- On August 21, the Martinez City Council approved an outdoor “Entertainment Zone” in downtown, enabling licensed businesses to serve alcohol in designated public areas during events—aimed at boosting foot traffic and supporting local retailers. More info.
- The City will host a 150th anniversary celebration at Waterfront Park with live entertainment, citywide drone photo, community booths, and a beer fest: marketing downtown and activating local businesses. Read more.
Walnut Creek
- Walnut Creek ranks among the top six Central-Contra Costa cities with 54 development projects YTD—including residential, major mixed-use, and public-space initiatives. More info.
East Contra Costa County
Antioch
- Los Medanos College, in partnership with the Antioch Chamber, launched a $240,000 sub-grant initiative for nonprofits across East Contra Costa—including Antioch and nearby communities—to support capacity building through grants ranging from $10K to $20K. Applications opened on August 25. Read more.
Brentwood
- Concerns over inconsistent decisions by Brentwood’s Planning Commission. Learn more.
- As of late July, Brentwood approved ~$125,900 in economic development grants (2026–27) to support downtown events, small-business activation, and a pilot app—thereby continuing momentum into August. More info.
- The $155 million, three-story, 117,000 sq ft East County Service Center in Brentwood broke ground in spring 2026 and is on track for December 2027 completion—bringing up to 440 County employees and improved regional access to essential services. Learn more.
Pittsburg
-
The City Council established a stakeholder advisory committee (10–20 members) to guide policy and community input for the AVAIO data center project following a virtual workshop with over 200 participants and 300 questions. More info.
-
Pittsburg disclosed it fell victim to a $913,839 phishing scam in February, recouped ~$696K, and has implemented enhanced ACH verification controls to prevent future incidents. Learn more.
North Alameda County
Alameda
- EBMUD kicked off a 2-year transmission pipeline replacement project between Alameda and Bay Farm Island to improve reliability and seismic resilience. Read more.
- City organized “Demo Days” at Alameda Point, highlighting electric and hybrid vehicles and reflecting a focus on green mobility and economic innovation engagement. Learn more.
Emeryville
- Noted shifts and pop-ups at the Public Market kiosks, signaling evolving small business and retail activity. Read more.
- On August 27, Emeryville’s Planning Commission hosted an EIR scoping meeting for the proposed large-scale Sutter Hospital Medical Center (785K sq ft hospital plus 55K sq ft medical office or residential variant, along with two MOB conversions). The project is expected to generate significant development activity and job creation. Learn more.
Oakland
- Behring Companies plans to convert 415 20th St (formerly part of a LBNL supercomputing facility) into a mixed-use “innovation campus” anchored by a 20,000 sq ft AI/data center component serving robotics and AI firms. More info.
- Project Prometheus (Jeff Bezos’ AI startup) leased 100,000 sq ft, and Tesla leased 40,000 sq ft at the American Steel complex in West Oakland—signaling a surge in industrial and AI-driven advanced manufacturing growth. Read more.
- On August 12, the city hosted a ULI Technical Assistance Panel to explore redevelopment options for the underutilized Clay Street parking garage near City Hall—potentially attracting mixed-use, retail, and housing projects. Learn more.
South Alameda County
Fremont
- Fremont companies participated in the Bay Area Manufacturing Conference held Aug 27 at San Leandro’s Zero Net Energy Center. Fremont’s Economic Development Office continues supporting workshops, global business attraction, and local workforce development. Learn more.
- According to F6S, Fremont is home to major innovative firms, including Neuralink, EnerVenue, AXT Inc., Enphase Energy, and Anyware Robotics—highlighting a surge in advanced manufacturing and cleantech businesses. More info.
Hayward
- Hayward City Council and Alameda County finalized a joint administration plan for a $1.3 million Russell City Redress Fund to compensate former residents affected by 1960s eminent domain displacement. Learn more.
- Joint enforcement by Hayward Police, Code Enforcement, and Alameda County Environmental Health targeted unpermitted food vendors. Weekly inspections will continue through August to ensure food safety compliance. More info.
Newark
- Newark Alliance launched a pilot program targeting small businesses (≤20 employees) in downtown, offering facility fit-out grants (up to 50% or $50K), product purchase subsidies up to $25K, and technical assistance. The program remains open through August 28. Learn more.
- The City issued an RFP for median modifications at Cherry Street and Mowry Avenue as part of its Capital Improvement Program—public bids are currently being accepted. Read more.
San Leandro
- Hosted by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance at its Zero Net Energy Center, this event convened regional manufacturing leaders, workforce training experts, and educators to promote investment and quality job growth in the sector. Learn more.
- The City Council held a Facilities & Transportation Committee meeting in which discussions covered critical infrastructure maintenance—including irrigation system upgrades, potential public-private partnership RFPs, and golf course operational profitability—highlighting San Leandro’s ongoing financial oversight. Read more.
Union City
- The 81-unit affordable housing project by MidPen Housing at 33435 Mission Blvd commenced construction earlier this year. Financed with $76 million and supported by a $5 million City loan, it includes 6,320 sq ft of retail space intended for the city’s Youth & Family Services. Read more.
- Woodstock Development is pursuing a major R&D/manufacturing campus on the underutilized 30300 Union City Blvd site to revitalize the corridor. Learn more.
Tri-Valley
Livermore
- Livermore formally adopted its long‑range development plan. Learn more.
- A new development agreement with McGrath RentCorp opens the door for future residential development on more than 100 acres in Midtown, clarifying zoning and reducing litigation risks. Read more.
West Contra Costa County
El Cerrito
- El Cerrito appeared in county development datasets (13 civic‑action projects YTD), but no August news items emerged. Learn more.
Pinole
- Pinole was noted as one of Contra Costa County’s most active jurisdictions for 2026 development activity, with 236 projects YTD, though none were tied specifically to August news. Read more.
Richmond
- The Bay Area Air Quality Management District published its first preliminary Health Risk Analysis (HRA) for the Chevron Richmond Refinery under Rule 11‑18. Learn more.
- The Air District is accepting public comment through Oct 5, 2026, on proposed amendments to refinery flare monitoring and flaring rules—important to Richmond’s industrial compliance environment. More info.
- Climate & Connected Communities Initiatives. Read more.
Unincorporated Alameda and Contra Costa
Castro Valley
- Castro Valley Inc. launched a campaign to explore local governance (a “new town”/township model), including a survey on priorities and public panels. A booth will be present at the Fall Festival. Learn more.
Unincorporated Alameda County
- Nearly 29,000 addresses in unincorporated areas—Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres, Fairview, San Lorenzo, and Castro Valley—were updated so the USPS now uses the correct community names on mail and websites, replacing the previously defaulted city name. More info.
- The Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 to postpone a ballot measure that would have raised the minimum wage to $30/hour in unincorporated areas, pending an economic impact study. Read more.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County
- Contra Costa County Public Works will replace a culvert ~500 ft north of Gateway Rd on Piper Road. The project is funded at 25% locally and 75% by FEMA, with weekday work expected to cause delays of up to 10 minutes. Learn more.
- A streambank stabilization project along Pinole Creek between Henry Avenue and I‑80 will address erosion concerns. Work is scheduled on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info.
- A multi-mile safety corridor study—covering the area from Marsh Creek Road/State Route 4 to the Contra Costa–Alameda line—was completed on Aug 24. The study includes recommendations for medians, bridge widening, drainage, wildlife crossings, directional fencing, and more. Public feedback accepted through Sept 15, 2026. Read more.
- The California Highway Patrol increased enforcement on unincorporated county roads—and I‑80—targeting risky behaviors such as speeding, unsafe lane changes, and improper turns. Learn more.
- The board recognized National Emergency Management Awareness Month, reviewed Contra Costa Health’s fiscal outlook, approved a Teamsters Local 856 contract (3% pay increases), and held a community forum on Sheriff’s cooperation with ICE under the Truth Act. More info.
- The County’s Current Planning Division continued regular processing of land use and development entitlements—including rezoning, subdivision, and variance applications—across unincorporated areas in August. Read more.
- The Board of Supervisors heard community concerns via the Truth Act forum about the Sheriff’s Office’s collaboration with ICE, with many attendees urging its termination. Read here.