Welcome to the East Bay Digest—your monthly overview of the latest economic development updates from cities across the East Bay. This July edition highlights key news and announcements from each of our region’s seven dynamic subregions for the first half of 2026. 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
Hayward
- The City’s Economic Development Division earned a Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council for its “Hashtag Hayward” program, which supports small-business growth through storefront upgrades and enhanced social media engagement. More info.
- In April, Hayward launched Hayward Amplified, a new $75K grant initiative enabling local businesses to host promotional events—live music, art installations, watch parties—to revitalize commercial corridors. Learn more.
- Additionally, in June, the City Council advanced a progressive business license tax ballot measure projected to generate an additional $12M annually to strengthen fiscal stability. Read here.
San Leandro
- City of San Leandro and B3 Investors Earn Statewide Recognition for Bayfair Transformation. Read more.
Central Contra Costa County
Clayton
- Clayton City Council approved the FY 2026–27 budget featuring structural realignment: general fund reserves projected to remain above policy minimums (~$5.9 M), with $133K in salary savings and $87K in service cuts in FY 2026. The city is also considering a 1% local sales tax measure for long-term financial stability. Learn more.
Concord
- The City of Concord Local Reuse Authority (LRA) has successfully reached a financial agreement with the United States Navy (Navy) over the price and terms of payment for the approximately 2,422 acres of property to be redeveloped by the Reuse Project under an Economic Development Conveyance. More info.
Pleasant Hill
- Pleasant Hill’s Civic Action Commission announced the launch of the Sunset by the Lake concert series and kicked off community outreach for the 2040 General Plan amendment, inviting email sign-ups for public engagement. More info.
East Contra Costa County
Antioch
- Antioch launched a two-session Public Visioning Workshop series (June 30 & July 7) to help shape its updated General Plan, guiding long-term growth, including physical, economic, social, and environmental development. More info. Additionally, the city introduced Rivertown Free Wi‑Fi in April, improving connectivity for residents and local businesses. Read more.
Oakley
- Oakley’s City Council approved the massive 164-acre Bridgehead Industrial Project in March—3.1M sq ft of light-industrial/warehousing space—after removing planned data centers, marking significant economic and infrastructure expansion. Read more.
- The City of Oakley is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission for the remainder of a term ending February 28, 2027. More info.
Pittsburg
- Pittsburg-based K2 pure solutions breaks ground to build the state of California’s first commercial production facility of green hydrogen. This announcement represents a huge milestone for the state’s energy transition and zero-carbon goals, and for the Pittsburg community as a new chapter in its long industrial story begins. In partnership with PACC services, they have already began creating the future market for hydrogen as a viable, sustainable fuel source, making deals with Hyster-Yale and ZeroUp Energy already. More info.
- Pittsburg City Staff are hosting a virtual community engagement workshop about data center development. Residents are encouraged to participate in the workshop and to submit their questions ahead of time to ensure all resident inquiries are addressed during the meeting. Learn more.
North Alameda County
Emeryville
- Emeryville City Council approved a tax reform measure and greenlit a $31.7M affordable housing loan in May, while also supporting a business license tax overhaul, and the Economic Development Advisory Committee met mid-July to guide growth strategies and support for small businesses. Read more.
Oakland
- Oakland’s 2026 Annual Economic Indicators report and March Economic Summit highlighted recovery to ~227,000 jobs, driven by healthcare investments: new $240M Samuel Merritt campus, UCSF’s $1.6B hospital modernization, and a $400M Stanford/Sutter cancer center—underscoring a shift from manufacturing to care and research sectors. More info.
South Alameda County
Newark
- A new T&T Supermarket is opening at the former Macy’s space in NewPark Mall, enhancing retail diversity and serving the Bay Area’s Asian community. Newark City Council reviewed and advanced its 2026–28 biennial budget and 2026–31 Capital Improvement Plan, reinforcing fiscal sustainability and targeted infrastructure investment. Learn more.
Union City
- Union City Council received updates on an Economic Development Strategic Plan, highlighting targeted growth in industrial, retail, life sciences, and semiconductor sectors; expansion of Union Landing shopping center; and new tenants like Panera and Jollibee. Read more.
Tri-Valley
Danville
- Danville’s Planning Commission gained state certification for its 2023–31 Housing Element, requiring more than 2,200 new units—including a 200-unit development at Village Shopping Center, an assisted living facility, wireless telecom sites, and a new fire station—demonstrating strong momentum for housing and community infrastructure growth. More info.
Dublin
- Dublin’s Economic Development Committee updated its Small Business Assistance Program in April, adding relocation aid, enhanced resources, and refined funding aligned with the fiscal budget—boosting support for local business growth. Read more.
Livermore
- Livermore has advanced its 2045 General Plan update, with the Economic Development Element laying out ambitious goals for innovation, emerging sectors, land-use strategies, and tourism through heritage and public art. Additionally, multiple major mixed-use development projects—including downtown apartments, senior housing, winery hotels, and outlet mall expansions—are actively under review or nearing construction. Learn more.
Pleasanton
- On July 7, 2026, the Pleasanton City Council unanimously voted to place a uniform Transient Occupancy Tax measure on the November 3, 2026, general municipal election ballot. The measure will allow voters to consider increasing the City’s hotel tax, formally known as the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), to help address the City’s structural operating budget deficit and support City services and programs. More info.
San Ramon
- In April, San Ramon’s City Council approved the ambitious “Orchards” redevelopment—a massive mixed-use transformation of Chevron’s former headquarters at Bishop Ranch into a new downtown: 2,600 homes, 125,000 sq ft of retail, parks, trails, and affordable housing over 144 acres. Read more.
West Contra Costa County
El Cerrito
- A July 7 City Council presentation highlighted progress along San Pablo Avenue: ~90% of local retail and 60% of office space is on this corridor. The city has simplified regulations, eliminating restaurant use permits and streamlining outdoor dining to boost economic activity and support housing efforts. Learn more.
Hercules
- The City advanced several major projects this year, including the 162-unit “Emblem Hercules” mixed-income apartments and an 82-unit affordable housing complex under SB 35, both approved May–June. Council also adopted its first-year $107 M Capital Improvement Plan to support transit and waterfront development. More info.
Pinole
- On June 23 the City Council adopted a structurally balanced FY 2026–27 budget with a modest surplus (~$26), implementing cost-saving actions like department cuts, wage freezes, and fire service restructuring. Naomi Kelly was confirmed as the new City Manager in mid-June. Read more.
Richmond
- In 2026, the City of Richmond launched the Small Business Façade Improvement Program to assist local businesses with exterior improvements, signage, lighting, accessibility enhancements, and other visible upgrades. The program supports commercial corridor revitalization, encourages private investment, and helps businesses create more attractive and welcoming storefronts. Through targeted financial assistance, Richmond continues to invest in the success of small businesses while enhancing the appearance and vitality of neighborhood business districts. More info.
- The Port of Richmond has won an $11.2 million federal grant to help shore up one of several essential docks in need of major repairs. Learn more.
- OpenAI is coming to Richmond, bringing an estimated 700 Jobs. Read more.
San Pablo
- In February, San Pablo launched a new marketing and branding initiative— “Growing Forward, Grounded in Community”—developed with Tripepi Smith. It aims to strengthen neighborhood corridor identities, support placemaking, investment attraction, housing, and business outreach. Learn more.
Unincorporated Alameda and Contra Costa
Unincorporated Alameda County
- The County’s Economic & Civic Development team finalized its Unincorporated Economic Development Strategic Plan, began renovations at the Lorenzo Theater, revitalized the Martinelli Center in East County, and rolled out an Eden Area signage plan. They also published an updated Business Welcome Guide, launched a sidewalk vending ordinance, and continued to offer free small-business workshops through the SBDC. More info.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County
- Jupiter Volta Inc., an R&D manufacturing company, has signed a lease in unincorporated Richmond, Contra Costa County, CA, for a space formerly used for industrial manufacturing in the Green Empowerment Zone (GEZ). The company designs and develops high-tech R&D systems that unlock the future of energy.