Alameda Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel/Economic Recovery Task Force Meeting

Date: June 9, 2025
Time: 6:09 PM – 7:21 PM (approximate)
Location: 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Conference Room 391, Alameda, CA & via Zoom
Attendance: Panel members Brock Runt, Gia Schneider, Joe Ernst, Madeline, Mark; Staff: Dwayne Dahlman (Economic Development Manager), Eric Fonstein (Development Manager). Chair and Vice Chair absent; meeting run by staff due to lack of designated chair.

The panel convened to discuss two main topics: the impact of tariffs on local businesses and the marketing messages for the new 'Choose Alameda' business attraction website. No formal actions were taken due to lack of quorum for voting items.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes from the March 5, 2025 meeting were tabled because fewer than six members who attended that previous meeting were present, preventing approval. Minutes will be revisited at the next meeting.

Discussion Item: Tariffs Impact on Local Business Climate (Agenda Item 6-A)

• Overview: Panel members shared how tariffs and economic uncertainty are affecting their industries. Key themes included a widespread ‘wait and see’ posture, supply chain disruptions, and the need for predictability.
• Specific Impacts:
  • Real estate / development: The market is frozen; capital markets are locked up; companies are not expanding or seeking new space. Uncertainty around tariffs and interest rates has stalled projects.
  • Manufacturing / importers: Gold Bar (bottle importer from China) faced direct cost hits; retailers are struggling to lock in holiday pricing. Some companies pre-ordered inventory before tariff increases.
  • Defense / government contractors: Saildrone reported that contracts for hurricane monitoring in the Atlantic were not funded due to federal budget delays, forcing assets to remain in Alameda. Other suppliers have sent letters announcing price increases.
  • Education: College of Alameda cited construction cost overruns and delays for new hangar projects, with tariffs adding further uncertainty.
  • Energy / hydropower: No direct impact yet, but tariffs on imported manufacturing components could ripple through.
• City Role: Members suggested the city advocate for federal budget certainty and convey that businesses need predictability. The overall message: businesses rely on stable conditions; volatility freezes decisions.

Discussion Item: Marketing Messages for 'Choose Alameda' Website (Agenda Item 6-B)

• Purpose: The new website is a partnership between the city and Chamber to brand Alameda for business attraction, focusing on strengths in biotech, cleantech, and blue tech.
• Panel Feedback on Key Messages:
  • Top priorities: Certainty, speed, and ease of doing business. Members emphasized that the website should highlight:
    • Streamlined permitting and approval processes (e.g., dedicated project manager, clear timelines, self-certification options).
    • Infrastructure advantages: Alameda’s municipal power (low rates and fast connections compared to PG&E), water, sewer, and available land.
    • Cost certainty for both construction and operations (electricity rates, utility costs).
    • Access to a diverse talent pool (from software engineers to assemblers) and proximity to universities (UC Berkeley, Stanford, UC Davis, College of Alameda).
  • Secondary considerations: Quality of life, crime statistics, ferry access, and school quality were seen as supporting points, not the lead message.
  • Differentiation: Members noted most city websites focus on lifestyle; Alameda should stand out by being direct about process and cost advantages. The website should help brokers “look good” by providing quick answers on permitting and infrastructure.
• Specific Suggestions:
  • Include an interactive tool that guides potential businesses through the setup process with estimated timelines (e.g., “six months to operation”).
  • Publish infrastructure standards and comparative utility rates.
  • Feature testimonials from existing businesses and a physical model of the Alameda Point vision.
• Outcome: Staff will incorporate this feedback and aim to share a prototype with the panel by late June/early July, with an official launch at the fall economic forecast.

Future Discussion Topics (Agenda Item 6-C)

• Priorities identified:
  • Continue refining the Choose Alameda website as an ongoing item.
  • Shift to targeted business attraction (e.g., blue tech, cleantech).
  • Address business retention concerns: crime (break-ins, car vandalism), graffiti, homelessness, responsiveness of city services (e.g., building maintenance).
  • Improve survey response rates from businesses (recent email survey had low participation).
• No action taken; topics will guide future agendas.

Key Outcomes

• No votes occurred; all items were discussion-only.
• Minutes tabled to next meeting due to insufficient attendance of previous meeting members.
• Website direction set: prioritize predictability, cost, and ease of doing business over lifestyle messaging. Staff will develop a prototype for panel review.
• Future work will focus on targeted attraction and retention strategies, including ways to improve city services and communication with existing businesses.