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December 21, 2023 | ISSUE #32

NEWS & UPDATES

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." - Anne Bradstreet

Visit Our Website

ECD 2024 | YEAR IN REVIEW

Alameda County's ECD team has been proud to serve businesses and entrepreneurs located in our unincorporated areas. ECD looks forward to continuing to provide resources, education, and opportunities for collaboration to new and existing business owners throughout 2024 and beyond.

Visit ECD's Website for More Info

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES

SHOP LOCAL BILLBOARDS

This holiday season, it's so important to support the Unincorporated Area's small businesses by shopping local. In that spirit, ECD is proud to introduce its Shop Local billboard campaign! Look out for our ad (and mascot Pip!) on billboards throughout the County and don't forget to support local businesses by buying some gifts for your loved ones!

Facade Improvement Program

Newly Completed Project

BEFORE

AFTER

PURPLE ORCHID RESORT & SPA

4549 Cross Road, Livermore

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

HOLIDAY BANNERS

ASHLAND

E 14TH

SAN LORENZO/ASHLAND

LEWELLING BLVD

SAN LORENZO HESPERIAN BLVD

CASTRO VALLEY

CASTRO VALLEY BLVD

ECD has helped provide our communities with festive holiday banners, which will be hanging throughout commercial corridors of the County's unincorporated area during the holiday season! Make sure to look out for these banners when traveling through Ashland, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo up through the New Year!

Food Business Training

2024 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 Fundamental FETA series will run from February 6 to March 7, with a Spanish Fundamental FETA running from March 11 to April 8th.

Register For Fundamental FETA
Learn More About The FETA Program

Business Spotlight | Mark's Hallmark Shop

LOCATION

3340 Village Drive

Castro Valley, CA 94546


CALL

(510) 274-5535


HOURS

Tues-Sat: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monday: CLOSED


WEBSITE https://stores.hallmark.com/ca/castrovalley/




Make sure to visit Mark's Hallmark Shop this holiday season for your gift and greeting card needs!

Business Resources | Small Business Workshops

Click Here To Register

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, January 8 - Virtual

General Purpose Meeting: Monday, January 15 - Castro Valley Library

Land Use Meeting: Monday, January 22 - Virtual


EDEN AREA MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, January 9 - San Lorenzo Library


FAIRVIEW MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, January 2 - Castro Valley Library


SUNOL CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Wednesday, January 17 - Sunol Glen School Cafeteria


UNINCORPORATED SERVICES COMMITTEE

Regular Meeting: Wednesday, January 24 - San Lorenzo Library

Click Here for Agendas & More Info!

Community Events & Resources

Join the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce for two important events early in 2024! On Wednesday, January 10th, the Chamber will collaborate with Assemblymember Liz Ortega to provide information and resources on how to protect your business from cyber crimes. And on Thursday, January 18th, join the Chamber for a mixer and installation event for their 2024 Board of Directors!

Alameda County’s Administrative Minor Use Permit program – or AiMUP – has streamlined certain permitting for eligible businesses in the Unincorporated Area and assists in COVID recovery efforts. This allows for the approval of business permits 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.

Visit the Mobile Citizen Page to Learn More

Click Here For More Information
Visit The CVBDSP Website

The Collective Corner

Get Involved With Your Business Community



Come learn, share & network with your fellow businesses!

Curious about your Eden Area Business Community?

Join the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce!

Contact Gary Slate | gary@castrovalleychamber.com


Is your business located in Ashland or Cherryland?

Join the Eden Area Business Collective (EABC) Next Meeting TBD | Online

Contact Gary Slate | gary@castrovalleychamber.com


How about in San Lorenzo?

Join the San Lorenzo Business Alliance Next Meeting TBD | In-Person Meeting

Contact Janella Anguiano | janella_sells@yahoo.com

Learn More About Upcoming Chamber Events

Business Resources

Have You Met PAM?


PAM is an interactive public access map that allows users to check the zoning of any business or residents in the Unincorporated County.


If you own or are looking to purchase property, it's important to know what uses can and cannot take place!

Zoning Map

Sponsored By:

Our unincorporated community boundaries can be confusing! It is important to verify your location when opening or relocating a business.



Check out the Community Locator below!

Community Locator

Download Your

Business Welcome Packet



Your guide to doing business in unincorporated Alameda County.

Available in English, Spanish & Chinese!

English Packet
Spanish Packet
Chinese Packet

We are on Instagram! @Explore_UnincorpALCO


Have a great place to share? Tag us on Instagram!

Alameda County Economic & Civic Development Department

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