Learn More at Tomorrow's 9am Webinar
Beginning in October, all commercial East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) customers in Berkeley will be automatically enrolled in Renewable 100, which is comprised of 100% California wind and solar energy, unless they opt out by September 22. The plan will cost less than one cent more per kilowatt-hour, or roughly 2.3% higher than PG&E rates for a small commercial or industrial customer. All residential customers in Berkeley were already placed on the Renewable 100 plan in March 2022.
For more info and to ask questions, join the EBCE webinar tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/13 at 9am. You can also learn more in the City of Berkeley community message, on the EBCE website, or by calling 1-833-699-EBCE (3223) during business hours (weekdays, 9am - 5pm).
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 Bay Area Manufacturing Week (October 7–14) is almost here! In celebration of the makers, artisans and producers in our community, OED and the Bay Area Urban Manufacturing Initiative welcome the public to learn about the innovative technologies, jobs, and people involved in manufacturing in our city.
Learn how coffee, wine, ceramics, sculptures and more are made during free tours and tastings, organized by OED, at Metro Lighting, CoRo Coffee Roastery, Covenant Wines, the Berkeley Potters Guild, Meyer Sound Laboratories and Takara Sake.
Register for MFG Week tours on Eventbrite now.
 This summer, we updated OED's Berkeley Business Resource Guide to provide entrepreneurs with information on how to start and sustain a successful business in Berkeley. The guide walks through key steps of launching a new business and provides information on the programs and services available to businesses launching in Berkeley, including the Berkeley Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and permitting and licensing requirements.
Check it out!
 The City of Berkeley’s #DiscoveredinBerkeley campaign spotlights local businesses enriching our community and building a better world. An example of the types of research & development (R&D) businesses developing world-improving innovations in Berkeley, today's article in Berkeleyside highlights how Pivot Bio’s microbial nitrogen offers a host of environmental benefits and helps farmers grow crops sustainably for delicious snacks like Connect popcorn.
Read Berkeleyside's article about this West Berkeley ag-tech startup on the DiscoveredinBerkeley website and follow @DiscoveredinBerkeley on Instagram to see more about other innovative Berkeley businesses.
At tomorrow's (9/13) City Council meeting, Councilmember Rigel Robinson’s “Keep Innovation in Berkeley” referral will be on the Council Consent agenda (Item 30). This referral aims to reduce the barriers that R&D businesses and startups face when deciding whether to grow their companies in Berkeley, by streamlining lengthy permitting processes, allowing R&D establishments to locate in more areas of Berkeley, and improving the clarity and consistency of our zoning code for applicants.
Email council@cityofberkeley.info with general comments, questions or letters of support on this topic.
Also on the information calendar for the 9/13 Council meeting, is OED's Information Report on Federal Economic Relief Spending in Berkeley (Item 37). The report details how federal funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) were used over the past two years to support local economic recovery. Examples include:
- Low interest rate loans to Berkeley small businesses,
- tourism and hospitality industry marketing and advertising (with the support of Visit Berkeley)
- Grants for arts organizations, festivals, artists and cultural practitioners, temporary public art (through our Civic Arts program)
- support for worker owned cooperatives to do business succession planning (with Project Equity), and
- other initiatives to support local business marketing and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Berkeley Bucks, the city's first eGift Card, are good for purchases all across Berkeley. For a list of all participating merchants and to buy Berkeley Bucks, visit www.BerkeleyBucks.com today! Earlier this summer, Visit Berkeley rolled out more Bucks for Berkeley businesses with a new BOGO offer: customers buy $150 and get a $50 Bonus Gift Card for Free!
Over $40,000 in Berkeley Bucks have been sold, with $19,000 redeemed so far. Take this opportunity to cash in on Berkeley Bucks and update your offers or contact Jeffrey Church to join the program.
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In case you missed it...
Have fewer than 5 employees and earn less than $50,000 per year?
The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has awarded funding to the Chabot - Las Positas Community College District to provide grants to microbusinesses in Alameda county through the Microbusiness & Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
This program will provide grants of $2,500 to microbusiness that were in operation in 2019, are still in operation, and were impacted by the COVID-19 public health restrictions.
See the program website for eligibility requirements and to apply by 5pm on October 19, 2022.
On August 4, 2022, more than 400 people gathered at the Fox Theater in downtown Oakland for the 10th annual East Bay EDA Innovation Awards ceremony, an event recognizing business and civic entrepreneurs and leaders of dynamic East Bay businesses and organizations. Congratulations to the 4 Berkeley organizations who were recognized as winners in the following categories:
The event also recognized Studio KDA (Poet’s Place) as a finalist in the Built Environment category.
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The City of Berkeley launched a new website (berkeleyca.gov) in May that’s dedicated to helping you, our Berkeley community, find and take advantage of the unique breadth of services we offer.
Find information for businesses and entrepreneurs at the Office of Economic Development's new webpage.
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