Photo credit: Rafael Gonzalez

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Welcome to the City of Concord's e-newsletter. This publication is designed to keep you informed about what's happening in your community. Sign up here to subscribe to our City News updates.

Small Business Grant Application Period Closes Nov. 18

The application period for the City's Small Business Reimbursement Grant closes Friday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.


Launched recently in partnership with the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, the $2 million grant program is intended to help small businesses continue their recovery from the economic strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Utilizing funding the City received from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, Concord will provide one-time grants of $5,000 to 370 small businesses. The grants will be distributed in two rounds, with one occurring this fall and the other in spring 2023.


The reimbursement grant is intended to help businesses recover typical operating costs such as rent/lease payments, utilities, payroll, inventory, facility repairs, upgrades, and other expenses.


Find more information and apply here.

Shop Concord Gift Card Program Resumes Nov. 21

The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce are relaunching the popular Shop Concord e-gift card program to support small businesses by encouraging residents to shop locally over the Thanksgiving weekend and into the winter holiday season.  


Thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the City of Concord, shoppers will earn a bonus gift card with every purchase. While supplies last, receive a free $50 Shop Concord bonus card with every original $100 gift card purchase, a free $25 Shop Concord card with every $50 gift card purchase, or a free $10 Shop Concord card with every $20 gift card purchase. Gift cards can be used for purchases at any participating business.  


The e-gift cards can be purchased beginning on Nov. 21 on the Shop Concord Yiftee page, which includes a list of the more than 70 participating merchants. The cards purchased can be redeemed at any participating Concord business.  


Concord business owners can sign up anytime for free to participate in the Shop Concord program. Instructions for how to become a participating merchant are online.

Base Reuse Meetings Scheduled, Term Sheet to be Reviewed

The next steps for the development of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station have been scheduled. 


Developer Concord First Partners and Local Reuse Authority (LRA) staff will host two community meetings in December to discuss and present the proposed Term Sheet before it goes to the City Council for consideration on Saturday, January 7, 2023. 


All meetings will be held in person at the Concord Senior Center located at 2727 Parkside Circle, and can be viewed on Concord TV (Astound/Wave 1026, Comcast 28, AT&T U-verse 99) or streamed online through the City's website.


The meetings are scheduled as follows:

  • Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.: Community Meeting #1 and Presentation of the Term Sheet  
  • Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.: Community Meeting #2 and Presentation of the Term Sheet
  • Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 9 a.m.: Special City Council Meeting, featuring an opportunity for public comment on the Term Sheet prior to Council decision 


The Term Sheet and accompanying staff report will be available for public review on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 


Learn more.

Celebrate the Holidays with Tree Lighting, Sing-Along Dec. 2

The City of Concord will host its annual Tree Lighting and Mayor’s Sing-Along on Friday, Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Todos Santos Plaza. 


Families can get into the holiday spirit by participating in festivities such as taking pictures with Santa and feeding real reindeer. Children are welcome to write and mail him a letter to which they will receive a response from the Jolly Good Fellow! 


Participants can also shop for handmade artisan goods at Santa’s Village by The Makers Boulevard, or make free holiday crafts at the Concord Art Association’s craft booth. In addition to the fun, the Todos Santos Business Association will be sponsoring carriage rides for $5 per person. 


The event will also feature live, on-stage entertainment performed by the Concord High School Jazz Band, Concord High School Ladies First choir, D’Ann’s Academy of Dance, Queen of All Saints cheerleaders, and The 925 Band. 


Following the performances, Concord Mayor Dominic Aliano will lead the crowd in a sing-along and a countdown to the official tree lighting at 7:30 p.m. The event’s on-stage performances can be viewed live on Concord’s TV channels (Comcast 28, Astound 1026, and U-verse 99) and livestreamed through the City’s website.

Holiday Gift & Craft Fair Returns Dec. 3

Get your holiday shopping done and support local artists at the City of Concord’s Gift and Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! This one-day community event will be at the Concord Senior Center at 2727 Parkside Circle.


Check out the list of vendors here.

Supporting Community Members in Need

During this season of giving, some residents have inquired about ways to help community members in need. Contra Costa County has compiled this list of service organizations that support people experiencing homelessness.


Many operate volunteer programs or otherwise are accepting donations during the holidays. To learn more about their volunteer opportunities and donation needs, please reach out to each agency directly.


View Service Organizations.

Take Our Survey: Mitigating Local Hazards

Concord is in the process of updating its local hazard mitigation plan to reduce loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters.


Help us identify projects that can reduce damage from future hazards by taking our quick survey. It is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Dari (Persian), Tagalog, and Vietnamese.


We are seeking input from those who live and/or work in Concord. Share your thoughts on the natural hazards that affect you most.

We're Hiring

Why spend time commuting when you can work in the city you call home? 


Concord is hiring! Check out our open positions: 


  • Associate/Senior Planner (Community Development)
  • Communications Center Manager (Police Dept.)
  • Facility Attendant (Parks & Rec) - NEW!
  • Landscape Gardener (Public Works)
  • Police Dispatcher II
  • Police Officer -- Lateral and Trainee
  • Recreation Facility Specialist (Parks & Rec)
  • Senior Administrative Analyst (Public Works) 
  • Senior Lifeguard/Swim Instructor (Parks & Rec)
  • Traffic Signal Technician (Public Works)
  • ... and more! 


Apply today! 

Public Meetings Calendar

The City of Concord's upcoming public meetings include:


  • Tuesday, Nov. 22: Special meeting of the Commission on Aging
  • Tuesday, Nov. 29: Special meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Committee
  • Tuesday, Dec. 6: City Council meeting and Council reorganization
  • Thursday, Dec. 8: Design Review Board
  • Wednesday, Dec. 7: Planning Commission - CANCELLED
  • Tuesday, Dec. 13: City Council
  • Wednesday, Dec. 21: Planning Commission


See the full calendar.


To receive email or text notifications when the meeting agendas are posted, please subscribe to alerts using the "Notify Me" tool on the City's website.


City Council and Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live on Concord TV (Astound/Wave 29 and 1026, Comcast 28, U-verse 99) and streamed through the City's website as well as rebroadcast at later times.

City of Concord | www.cityofconcord.org
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