Economic Development Strategy 2023-2028
The City of Oakland's Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) works to ensure that all communities in Oakland are healthy, strong, and thriving. Our goal is economic opportunity for all Oaklanders and equitable conditions for intergenerational wealth building. The City is seeking assistance with the completion of an Economic Development Strategy organized around actionable initiatives to achieve shared goals over a five-year time horizon. The community-designed and evidenced-based strategy will center the Oakland businesses, workers and communities most impacted by racism and underinvestment.
Amended RFP for Economic Development Strategy(PDF, 2MB)
Oakland's 21st-century economy has both global reach and strong local roots. Our communities are our competitive edge in the Bay Area. With 26,000 homes projected over the next decade and population growth of more than 50,000 during the last decade, Oakland is poised to lead as a model for sustainable growth. Our manufacturing legacy has given rise to technology enhanced creative industries developing augmented experiences and regional prominence in advanced industries such as bioscience. Strong local policies have also created gateways for the next chapters of cleantech and cannabis, reversing the disproportionately negative impacts on the security and environment of Oakland's communities of color. Leveraging these new opportunities into local benefit is the basis of our economic strategy.
Application Information
- Deadline for Questions: Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 5PM via email to Shawnee Keck, skeck@oaklandca.gov
- Submission of Applications Deadline: Friday, January 13, 2023 at 2:00 PM
- Anticipated Announcement of Selections: February 2023
- Contract Negotiation/Agreement Execution: February/March 2023
- Vendor Begins Contract: March 2023
- Stakeholder Engagement Period: April-October 2023
- Final Report Due: December 2023
Submit Proposals electronically to iSupplier: Please log on to iSupplier to submit your proposal before the 2:00 P.M. deadline.
Proposals Must Be Received in iSupplier portal by Department of Workplace and Employment Standards (DWES) Staff No Later Than - 2:00 P.M.
iSupplier will not allow late submittals and therefore please allow time to log in, create a response, and upload your Proposal. Email submittals will not be accepted.
Questions regarding online submittal through iSupplier must be directed to isupplier@oaklandca.gov to the attention of Marina De La Torre.
For further information and detailed iSupplier registration instructions, please visit the following link Register with iSupplier
New registrants can email isupplier@oaklandca.gov for registration instructions. Allow 3 working days for approval to access bid documents through iSupplier
If you are already registered with iSupplier, send an email with a request for invite to skeck@oaklandca.gov and isupplier@oaklandca.gov, reference RFQ # 270058.
Contact Information
Background
On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, the Oakland City Council adopted the Economic Development Strategy.
Learn about progress made implementing the Strategy:
Project Updates
Applications are now closed for the Facade and Tenant Improvement Grant Program. In the last round of funding, we received over 600 applications. We issued over 100 grant commitments and have a substantial waitlist of eligible projects.
In order to increase the capacity to process the large number of FTIP grants, the City issued an RPF in 2024 for a third party to administer FTIP, in order to allow more rapid assistance to FTIP grantees to complete their projects and improve their properties. Plenum Architecture, Inc. was selected as the preferred vendor, and a contract with Plenum was executed in March 2025.
If you would like to be notified in the future if funding becomes available, please sign up for email updates.
NOTE: Applicants must sign a grant agreement with the City BEFORE starting construction, in order for those project expenses to be considered eligible for reimbursement.