ECD Newsletter #34 - In Memoriam, New Community Banners, Facade Improvement Projects

February 28, 2024 | ISSUE #34

NEWS & UPDATES

"The task is not your job, the end result is"

- Lane Bailey

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IN MEMORIAM | LANE BAILEY

On January 30, 2024, ECD lost a leader, colleague, and friend with the untimely passing of Lane Bailey. Lane served for 14 years as the Community Development Agency's Director of Operations and Management Services until his retirement in 2010. In addition to his Agency-wide responsibilities, Lane also led the County's Redevelopment Agency and previously worked for CDA's Housing & Community Development Department. Since his retirement, Lane continued his contributions to ECD by lending his expertise to a wide range of projects in the County's unincorporated area.

Lane was a source of inspiration, friendship, and support to all who knew him both personally and professionally. He will be deeply missed but always remembered.

Mr. Bailey (left) with his colleagues at ECD

Mr. Bailey at his retirement with former CDA Directors James "Buzz" Sorenson (left) and Adolph Martinelli (right)

COMMUNITY SPIRIT | LOCAL BANNERS

Banner Displayed in Castro Valley

Banner Displayed on Lewelling Blvd.

ECD and the Alameda County Arts Commission have helped provide our communities with local decorative banners, which are currently hanging throughout commercial corridors of the County's unincorporated area. Make sure to look out for these banners when traveling through Castro Valley and on Lewelling Blvd. in Ashland and San Lorenzo!

RIBBON CUTTING | TACOS EL COMPA

On February 20th, ECD joined the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce and community leaders to celebrate the opening of Tacos El Compa at 2788 Castro Valley Blvd. The restaurant is now open and owner Gabriel Fonseca is excited to serve residents throughout Alameda County. Please join us in welcoming Tacos El Compa to the unincorporated area!

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CASTRO VALLEY SPECIFIC PLAN

Castro Valley residents and business owners! Join this important community update and workshop on Wednesday, March 13th to discuss the current Castro Valley Central Business District Specific Plan process. Community members can participate in-person at the Castro Valley Library or virtually on Zoom. Come participate and ensure your voice is heard!

Access Zoom Webinar

Visit our Website

FOOD BUSINESS TRAINING

CURRENT FETA CLASSES

The Food Entrepreneurship Training Academy (FETA) is a free 10-part series on food business entrepreneurship sponsored by ECD and the East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for participants interested in launching or growing a food business in Alameda County. The program consists of Fundamental FETA classes that teach the basics to prospective entrepreneurs, and Intermediate classes for those looking to continue their growth and education.

The next Fundamental FETA will be provided in Spanish and will run from March 11 to April 8th. Registration for these classes is currently open.

Learn More About The FETA Program

Facade Improvement Program

Newly Completed Project

BEFORE

AFTER

ANGRY FISH SUSHI

16250 E 14th Street, Ashland

Business Spotlight | Gigi's Florist

LOCATION

20864 Redwood Road

Castro Valley, CA 94546

CALL

(510) 582-4667

HOURS

Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

WEBSITE

www.gigisflorist.com

ABOUT

Gigi's Flowers has been proudly serving Castro Valley and its surrounding areas since 1988 with beautiful and unique floral arrangements.

Family owned and operated, Gigi's Flowers is dedicated to making your flowers, plants, and gifts perfect for all your special occasions!

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, March 11 - Virtual

General Purpose Meeting: Tuesday, March 18 - Castro Valley Library

Land Use Meeting: March 25 - Virtual

EDEN AREA MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, March 12 - San Lorenzo Library

FAIRVIEW MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, March 5 - Castro Valley Library

SUNOL CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting: Wednesday, March 20 - Sunol Glen School Cafeteria

UNINCORPORATED SERVICES COMMITTEE

Regular Meeting: Wednesday, March 27 - San Lorenzo Library

Click Here for Agendas & More Info

Community Events & Resources

Attention food business owners! E14th Eatery + Kitchen is seeking two new kiosk vendors in 2024. Applications are open now and can be submitted until March 7th at 5:00 PM.

E14th Eatery + Kitchen is a food hub and community kitchen space created by Mandela Partners in 2019 to support the success and growth of BIPOC-owned food businesses. Selected businesses must commit to at least a year of full-time vending at E14th Eatery + Kitchen and 1:1 coaching with Mandela Partners' staff.

CLICK TO APPLY

LEARN MORE

Join fellow unincorporated area business owners and entrepreneurs for the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce's Monthly Mixer at Crunch Fitness in San Lorenzo! The Mixer will be held on March 21st at 5:30 PM and will be free for all Chamber members. Visit the CVEA website for more information.

Visit the CVEA Website

StopWaste is offering $1.1 million worth of grants to fund innovative approaches to preventing waste in Alameda County and supporting local communities. Businesses, nonprofits, and institutions are eligible to apply for the six funding categories (unless otherwise noted).

Food Waste Prevention & Recovery (up to $30k per grant)
Surplus Food Donation Equipment (up to $10k, nonprofits only)
Community Food Systems (up to $10k)
Reusable Foodware (up to $25k)
Reuse & Repair (up to $25k)
Reusable Transport Packaging Equipment (up to $10k)

The application deadline is March 14, 2024.

Click to Learn More

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

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.