On October 21, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a $840,400 grant to the County of Alameda to support recovery of the region’s economy by providing technical assistance and other resources to small and medium-sized businesses. This EDA grant, which is being called Resilient East Bay, will be matched dollar-for-dollar from local investments.
The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) will administer the grant and coordinate all activities on this project. This grant award will enable small and medium-sized businesses in the manufacturing, transportation, distribution, logistics, and biotechnology industries to access a broader array of technical support resources and services to help strengthen our region’s economic recovery. The project’s goals include:
- Publishing a business-level analysis of the East Bay’s existing manufacturing and supply chain capabilities;
- Development and implementation of a strategy that increases business resilience through business assistance, including innovative land use strategies;
- Expand diversity of manufacturing subsectors through support for small and mid-sized manufacturers including startups; and
- Improve opportunity for middle-wage employment and a wide variety of ownership types, especially for people impacted by losses in other sectors due to COVID-19.
“Small businesses are critical drivers of our economy and California is doing more than ever to help them thrive with the largest small business relief program in the nation,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Alameda County will provide invaluable help to pandemic-impacted small businesses in key industries, bolstering our nation-leading recovery. We are thankful for the Biden Administration’s continued commitment to helping our communities build back better.”
Read the full press release from the U.S. Department of Commerce and click here to learn more about Resilient East Bay and download the one-sheet summary.
For more information for small to mid-sized businesses and partners, and to receive Resilient East Bay updates, please sign up for our Manufacturing Newsletter.