October 30, 2023 | ISSUE #30

NEWS & UPDATES

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen Keller

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Community Event | Bring The Family!

Alameda County is proud to partner with the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce to host the annual Castro Valley Light Parade!

Come one and all for this memorable outdoor community event to usher in the holiday season! More information coming soon!

The Event is Free!

Visit the Chamber's Website for More Info

Business Resource | Holiday Safety Webinar

Join ECD and the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, November 8th at 3:00 PM for a webinar on holiday safety and security tips for Unincorporated Area businesses.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office will present techniques to protect customers, employees, and assets at a time of year when businesses can be vulnerable to safety risks. The webinar is free and open to the public!

Click Here For The Webinar Link

Food Business Training

2023-24 FETA Workshops

The Food Entrepreneurship Training Academy – or FETA – is a free series on Food Business Entrepreneurship sponsored by ECD and the East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The next upcoming Fundamental FETA series will run from February 6 to March 7, 2024, with sign-ups for that phase to begin shortly.

DID YOU KNOW?

Over 800 aspiring food entrepreneurs from Alameda County have graduated from the FETA program!

Click to Learn More About the FETA Program

Promoting County Entrepreneurs

Mandela Food Business Pathways Program

On October 27th, Alameda County non-profit Mandela Partners hosted a community tasting event as part of their Food Business Pathways Program. The event featured aspiring food entrepreneurs who provided attendees with culinary samples in return for feedback on their offerings.

Mandela Partners works in partnership with residents and businesses to improve health and build assets through local food enterprises in underserved communities. Mandela's Food Business Pathways Program assists aspiring Black, Brown, Latine, and Asian food entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses in the County's Unincorporated Area.

Learn More About The Food Business Pathways Program

Business Development Opportunities

Sign Up Today!

Alameda County's trusted partner - East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - is sponsoring two virtual workshops for local small businesses, including those located in the County's Unincorporated Area.

MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

How to apply the fundamentals of marketing to promoting your business

Wednesday, November 8th - 10:00-11:30 AM

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Helping entrepreneurs learn critical aspects of financial management for new or growing small businesses

Thursday, November 16th - 10:00-11:30 AM

ECD Monthly Business Booster

Click To Subscribe

Click Here To Enter

Business Spotlight | Phat Fades Barbershop

LOCATION

15976 E 14th Street

Ashland, CA 94541

CALL

(510) 276-3166

HOURS

Tues - Sat: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sun - Mon: CLOSED

WEBSITE

www.phatfades.net

Upcoming Public Meetings | Civic Participation

Ensure that your voice is heard by taking part in these upcoming Alameda County community meetings!

CASTRO VALLEY MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Land Use Meeting: Monday, November 13 - Virtual

General Purpose Meeting: Monday, November 20 - Castro Valley Library

Land Use Meeting: Monday, November 27 - Virtual

EDEN AREA MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, November 14 - San Lorenzo Library

FAIRVIEW MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, November 7 - Castro Valley Library

SUNOL CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Wednesday, November 15 - Sunol Glen School Cafeteria

UNINCORPORATED SERVICES COMMITTEE

NO NOVEMBER MEETING

DID YOU KNOW?

This coming January, the Eden Area MAC will celebrate the 5th anniversary of its inception!

Click Here for Agendas & More Info!

Community Programs & Resources

County Business Resource | AiMUP

Alameda County’s Administrative Minor Use Permit program – or AiMUP – has streamlined certain permitting for eligible businesses in the County’s Unincorporated Area and assist in COVID recovery efforts.

This process allows for the approval of business permits that meet County criteria for uses such as:

Outdoor dining, retail, and personal services
Community facilities
Pop-up spaces
Mobile food/retail
Musical performances

It only takes 5-10 days for most businesses to receive their permits through this program!

Click For More Information

Click To Apply For An AiMUP

MOBILE CITIZEN APP

Alameda County utilizes a Mobile Citizen app that allows the public to report potholes, graffiti, and illegal dumping to the County's Public Works Agency. The app can be downloaded by searching "mobile citizen" in your phone's app store.