Business Resources & Incentives > Incentives > East Bay Cities Incentives
Businesses locating in Alameda can capitalize on significant incentives available to new and expanding businesses.
Energy - Alameda Power & Telecom (AP&T) — a department of the City of Alameda — is among the cleanest utilities in the country, with more than 80 percent of its electricity generated from renewable resources such as geothermal and hydroelectric, as well as new power purchases of wind and landfill gas. Moreover, AP&T is price-competitive with average rates notably lower than surrounding areas. AP&T also has a five-year economic development incentive program. Customers who meet certain minimum electric load and other requirements may qualify to pay even less than AP&T’s already-below-average rates.
Redevelopment - Projects within Alameda's three redevelopment areas may be offered additional incentives, negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Land - Alameda offers everything from available land to entitled business parks that help to fulfill your business plans. Lower lease rates and land prices are in addition to other incentives.
Customer service - Development Services Department will be your advocate and point of contact for all city processing and permits. We will coordinate, on your behalf, with other departments and guide you through the process.
One stop permits - All permits are issued at the City's Central Permit Office. Save resources.
- Locating a business in Brentwood has many benefits, including:
- A highly educated and available workforce
Quality of life
Abundance of housing mix and type
Proximity to major markets
Superior infrastructure and transportation networks
A pro-business City Council
- A highly educated and available workforce
Brownfields Tax Incentive Program
This incentive was created to help spur the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites. Under this federal tax incentive, environmental cleanup costs for all qualifying properties in targeted areas are fully deductible business expenses in the year in which costs are incurred or paid. Properties within the City of Emeryville are eligible to participate in this program due to Emeryville's inclusion as a qualified National Brownfields Pilot Project of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Facade Grant Improvement Program
This program provides reimbursement for facade improvements such as painting, signs, and awnings to commercial property owners on Park and San Pablo Avenues. If the applicant uses a contractor for the improvements, the matching grant will be 75% of total costs, up to a maximum dollar amount of $75,000. If the applicant performs the work him or herself, the reimbursement amount will be 100% of materials cost, also not to exceed a maximum dollar amount of $75,000. The program is available to both property and business owners, although if the applicant is a tenant the owner must also apply as co-applicant.
Business Development Loan Program
This program is available to property and business owners on San Pablo Avenue, Park Avenue, and Hollis Street for both existing and start-up enterprises. Eligible uses of the loan include tenant improvements, building repairs, and professional fees. The program includes a "key tenant incentive to attract key businesses to Emeryville. In addition to the other eligible uses, assistance under this component of the program may be used to finance items such as working capital, start-up costs, and advertising.
Loan amounts are up to $50,000, although exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Loans are offered at below market interest rates, with terms determined on a case-by-case basis. Typically, loans are secured by the property through a Deed of Trust.
Fremont
Redevelopment Loan Programs
The Office of Neighborhoods administers two loan programs to assist property and business owners in rehabilitating older structures within the City's historic Redevelopment Areas. These programs are:
Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building Loan Program
This program is designed exclusively for property owners. It provides loans of up to $50,000 per building for seismic retrofitting of unreinforced masonry structures within the City's historic Redevelopment Areas. Loans are made for a 15 year term at 3% interest and are secured by the property through a Deed of Trust.
Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Program
This program is available to property and business owners within the City's historic Redevelopment Areas. It provides up to $300,000 per building (up to $400,000 for historic buildings) for rehabilitation work including building code upgrades, seismic retrofitting, faÁade improvements, and landscape improvements. Loans are made for a 15-year term, and the interest rate is tied to the City of Fremont's investment portfolio rate (approximately 2.5 percentage points below the prime lending rate). Typically, loans are secured by the property through a Deed of Trust.
For more detail on the following incentives, click here
Citywide Development Incentives
Expedited Permitting Process
The city of Newark offers an expedited permitting process.The City of Oakland’s Business Development Unit assists in business retention and attraction. Through a variety of partners, the City provides financial incentives as well as technical support.
Enhance Enterprise Community Tax Incentives
With Oakland's designation as an Enhanced Enterprise Community (EEC), businesses that hire from the EEC zone may be eligible for federal tax incentives including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the Welfare to Work Tax Credit.
Enterprise Zone Tax Incentives
Downtown Oakland and most of the city located below I-580 is designated an Enterprise Zone, providing companies located within the target area with numerous tax incentives.
Retail and Entertainment Catalyst Tenant Improvement Program
Under this program, entertainment and retail businesses in targeted locations are eligible for funds that help cover tenant improvements such as asbestos abatement, Americans with Disability Act upgrades, ventilation, demolition and renovation.Façade Improvement Grants
This program provides free architectural assistance and 50% matching grants up to $20,000 for façade improvements in targeted areas.
Small Business Loans and Technical Assistance
Through its partner the Oakland Business Development Corporation, the City of Oakland provides technical assistance and a variety of loan products for entrepreneurs who may have difficulty finding capital through traditional sources.Industrial Development Bond Program
This program targets small and medium-sized manufacturing companies that are normally shut out of the national credit markets, providing low-cost, long-term financing up to $20 million for real estate and equipment projects.Staffing and Training Services
The Oakland Workforce Investment Board’s career center partners will screen, interview and evaluate candidates for businesses free of charge and provide customized training of new hires at a subsidized rate.Brownfields Loan Program
The program allows for maximum loan amounts of $125,000 for Brownfield site assessments and characterization costs, technical assistance, and other assessment costs.Recycling Market Development Loans
In targeted areas, manufacturers are eligible for below-market-rate loans of up to $2 million to incorporate recycling and reuse in their operations.Tax Increment Financing
On a case by case basis, projects within targeted areas can receive tax increment financing.The City of Pleasanton offers a sewer connection loan for restaurants in the Downtown area. Restaurants pay 20% of the connection fee, the City pays 80%, and the business reimburses the City over a 60 to 96-month period.
San LeandroThe Business Development staff is your resource for site location in San Leandro. Our staff maintains the most current data on available properties and pertinent, site-specific permitting information. The Business Development staff is your liaison to county, state, and federal regulators and permitting authorities. For more information, call the Business Development staff at (510) 577-3311.
The City rebates 50 percent of all utility tax dollars spent in excess of $25,000 by large utility users. For more information, please call (510) 577-3311.
Manufacturing firms may qualify for tax-exempt and other forms of Industrial Development Revenue Bond Financing through various state agencies and agencies affiliated with the City of San Leandro. Business Development Office staff can assist with application procedures and contracts.
The Business Development staff serves as a liaison with the State of California's Employment Training Panel (ETP) program, which provides recruitment and screening services for qualified companies, including providing a pool of qualified applicants for your consideration. City staff can also work with you to receive reimbursement from the State for job training costs, including the salaries of trainers and the cost of books, materials and training equipment. While exact reimbursement varies with each company, the typical reimbursement averages $2,300 per employee.
Commercial Rehabilitation Program
The San Leandro Redevelopment Agency offers financial assistance to small businesses within a redevelopment area to eliminate blighted appearances and/or change uses. This program, which will be implemented in summer of 2007, will provide forgivable loans and/or grants to eligible businesses or property owners. For more information regarding this program, please email Ryan Evans at Revans@ci.san-leandro.ca.us or Tim Ricard at Tricard@ci.san-leandro.ca.us, or call (510) 577-3311.
Business License Fee
The City's business license fee is calculated using a basic fee of $100.00, plus an additional low, per-employee fee. The City's fee remains one of the lowest in the Bay Area. For more information, click here.
Taxes
The City of San Leandro does not have a payroll tax nor does it levy a gross receipts tax.Business License Fee
San Ramon has the lowest Business License Fee of any major city in the Bay Area.
Fee Schedule (only one fee applies)
(1) For General Business Fee:
Five or fewer employees $ 35
Six to 50 employees $ 70
More than 50 employees $ 350
(2) For lessors of Dwelling Units
One Unit leased Exempt
Two to Five Units Leased $70
More than Five Units Leased $350
(3) For lessors of Commercial Property
Less than 5,000 Square ft. leased $ 35
5,000 to 10,000 Square ft. leased $ 70
More than $10,000 Square ft. leased $ 350
(4) Amusement and Itinerant Business
First Day of Circus, Exhibitions $60
Each Additional Day $30
Annual Fee
5 Year
10 Year
$350.00
$1,750.00
$3,500.00
What it means to have San Ramon as a Business Address.
A City that Values Business
San Ramon works to support and assist business in a number of ways including site location assistance, a business resource guide and a low business license fee. The City also offers a one-stop permit process to save businesses time and money.
Dynamitic Business Community with Room for Business Growth
San Ramon is home to Bishop Ranch, one of the top business parks in the Nation. Bishop Ranch has space available for all types of small, medium and large businesses.
Great Customer Services
No Payroll Tax
Long-term Low-interest Infrastructure Loans
Parking Incentive Program for Business Expansions
Downtown Development Incentives
Restaurant Sewer Connection Fees Payment Program
Façade Improvement and Design Consultation Program
Fee Postponement Program
Development Fee Credit Program
New Business Rent Assistance Program
Marketing Program
Relocation Assistance Program
Flexible Zone and Sidewalk Area Use Implementation Program
Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Projects
Reduced Development Fees for Downtown Developments that Increase Public Parking
Reduced Development Fees for Restoration of Historic Buildings
Industrial / Office Zoned Properties
Park In-Lieu Fees
Gap Financing
Businesses with High Wages
Affordable Housing Credits
Letter of Credit
Industrial Development Bonds
Active Chamber of Commerce
The San Ramon Chamber helps businesses grow through networking, business education, marketing opportunities and hosts a number of helpful business events each year. These include the East Bay Business Symposium, the San Ramon Business Expo, and Take Your Business to the Next Level.
Strong Employment & Career Education Base
Local businesses have access to a highly educated and a highly skilled workforce. Local business educational resources include Diablo Valley College, Saint Mary’s College Masters program, UC Davis Extension and the University of San Francisco as well as classes through the City Park and Community Services Department which offer ongoing, career classes in training and in lifelong learning.
Great Schools and a Terrific Quality of Life
San Ramon is one of the most desirable places to live in the Bay area because of the good climate, scenic beauty and one of the top school districts in the state.