OAKLAND, CA – The City of Oakland will provide up to $2.4 million to fund economic development projects in West Oakland. The funds for the West Oakland Community Fund come from City developers of the former Oakland Army Base, who to date, have provided $1.7 million in funding. Full development could bring up to $2.4 million. The funds will go to the Rose Foundation to establish a community advisory board and grant making program. The Rose Foundation will award approximately $500,000 each year through an annual grant process over a four-to-eight-year period.
“This much-needed funding will greatly benefit the West Oakland community, an area of the City that has experienced disinvestment,” said Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “I’m proud of the team that has worked hard on this project and grateful to the Port of Oakland and the Rose Foundation for their partnership."
"This grant agreement presents an exciting opportunity for the West Oakland community. The partnership with the Rose Foundation will create a process for disbursement of much needed funds in line with the goals and intents of the West Oakland Community Fund, which include advancing economic development, education, business, employment, and workforce training opportunities for West Oakland residents. I have worked on this issue long before my time on Council and I am happy to have collaborated with staff as the Councilmember of the District to finally get the funds out of the door to be programmed in a way that benefits those most impacted. Thank you to the community members, staff, and all who have worked on this matter over the years," said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife
“The West Oakland Community Fund will bring economic development to an area of the city where it’s desperately needed,” said Jestin Johnson, Oakland City Administrator. “This project has been a long time in the making and it’s wonderful to see it come to life for West Oaklanders. "
The Port of Oakland is also providing $2 million to the Rose Foundation related to its half of the former Army Base development. “We’re happy to provide funding that will support projects for local business and workforce development, youth education, or environmental projects that will benefit the entire West Oakland community,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney.
The intent of the West Oakland Community Fund is to provide money for projects in West Oakland, the neighborhood most directly impacted by closure of the former Oakland Army Base. The eligible grant projects will address economic, social and environmental equity issues focused on at least one of the following areas:
• Business development projects that support local entrepreneurship, small business development and other targeted local economic development in West Oakland including local hiring programs serving West Oakland businesses and residents
• Workforce development projects, including job training programs targeted towards West Oakland residents
• Educational projects including (but not limited to) programs serving West Oakland K-12 students around the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), adult skills development and continuing education programs
• Environmental projects focused on reducing existing or historical environmental impacts, and/or providing environmental benefits to the West Oakland community
About the Gateway Industrial District
The Gateway Industrial District is located adjacent to the Port of Oakland and the community of West Oakland. The 160-acre District is designed to support the City’s industrial needs and the movement of goods by way of the seaport, railroad and roadway networks while providing jobs and reducing air pollution emissions. The District was formerly part of the Oakland Army Base, which was commissioned in 1942 and closed 1999. To enable redevelopment, the City completed a major public infrastructure project in 2019, installing brand new roads and utilities, including bike paths and Bay Trail connections. Today, the District features new state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution facilities.
About Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment
Established in Oakland in 1992 by Jill Ratner and Tim Little, the Rose Foundation honors the legacy of Rose Ratner, a Chicago community activist. Inspired by Rose, the foundation interconnects environmental stewardship, community investment, and consumer protection.
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