Economic Development Advisory Panel Meeting - December 11, 2025

The Economic Development Advisory Panel (EDAP) met on December 11, 2025, to discuss the Alameda Point Enterprise District, review lessons from the Pacific Fusion proposal, approve the 2026 meeting schedule, and brainstorm future discussion topics. The meeting included updates on infrastructure costs, marketing strategies, and workforce development initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved without opposition. No public comments were received.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke.

Discussion Items

• Alameda Point Enterprise District (APED) Presentation and Lessons Learned

  • Abby (staff) presented an overview of the APED, a 112-acre parcel at Alameda Point. She recapped the previous discussion in August 2024 and the subsequent negotiation with Pacific Fusion, a fusion energy company that submitted an unsolicited proposal in late 2024. The city negotiated an exclusive negotiating agreement in four weeks, followed by a purchase option agreement and CEQA checklist approval by June 2025. In September 2025, Pacific Fusion terminated the option, choosing instead to locate in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after the state offered $100 million in incentives. The city received all third-party consultant materials upon termination.
  • The infrastructure package negotiated was valued at $22–24 million, with the total phase one price at $28.9 million for 13 acres. The overall master infrastructure plan cost has been re-estimated at $900 million, up from $700 million, due to sea level rise and adaptation work. Land values have not kept pace, challenging the previous assumption that Alameda Point development would pay for its own infrastructure.
  • Panel members discussed lessons learned: the need to ask for feedback from Pacific Fusion beyond the monetary offer, the importance of documenting the process for future opportunities, and the value of state-level incentives. They noted that quality of life in Alameda is a key differentiator, especially for attracting talent.
  • Ideas for next steps included: reaching out to Pacific Fusion for detailed feedback, exploring enhanced infrastructure finance districts (EIFD) or other financing mechanisms, pursuing grants (e.g., Army Corps of Engineers $15M seawall grant), and considering a master developer approach to build infrastructure speculatively rather than waiting for build-to-suit tenants.
  • The panel emphasized that the city should use the work already completed (environmental analysis, infrastructure studies) as leverage to move faster with future prospects.

• Approval of 2026 Meeting Schedule

  • The panel approved the schedule for 2026: March 4, June 3, September 2, and December 2 (first Wednesdays of those months). Motion carried without opposition.

• Future Discussion Topics

  • Dwayne (staff) presented an overview of the Economic Development Division’s 2026 activities, organized into four categories: large business activities (e.g., At Your Service liaison program, broker engagement, business visitation), small business activities (e.g., vacancy program, SBDC partnership, shop local initiatives), program management (e.g., special events grants, public art, guaranteed basic income, façade improvement grants), and project management (e.g., downtown zoning update, CRM implementation, new websites, Alameda Point signage).
  • Panelists suggested several topics for future meetings: workforce development (connecting local businesses with College of Alameda training programs and the LMA workforce board), industry-specific marketing (biotech, blue tech, clean tech), retention strategies for existing businesses, and housing/transportation policies that impact the economy. The panel expressed interest in hearing about the upcoming infrastructure bond poll and city policy initiatives that could affect business.
  • The panel agreed to focus on business attraction and workforce development for the March 2026 meeting, with possible presentations from College of Alameda and others.

Key Outcomes

• The 2026 meeting schedule was approved (4 dates).
• Staff will send out a list of anticipated 2026 policy initiatives for panel feedback.
• Staff will contact Pacific Fusion to request detailed feedback on site selection.
• The panel will discuss business attraction and workforce development topics at the March 2026 meeting.
• No votes were taken on the APED discussion; it was for information and feedback only.