BusHsgDev Highlights 2009 1210 - Laserfiche WebLink

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East Bay Green Corridor Update December 3, 2009 In August 2009, the East Bay Green Corridor's (EBGC) first full-time Executive Director, Carla Din, began leading the organization and San Leandro began participating in committee meetings. In addition to the steering committee, the subcommittees include: Business Development; Marketing; Innovative Policy; and Green Career/Employment. Assistant City Manager Lianne Marshall and Business Development Manager Cynthia Battenberg are participating in the committees on behalf of the City of San Leandro. To date, the EBGC has been awarded $4.7 million in ARRA green jobs grants that will be used for green building training, job creation coordination and industry outreach. The EBGC joined the Low Carbon Cities Program, one of five programs included in a major U.S./China climate initiative called U.S. China Cooperation on Energy and Climate. The purpose of the program is to demonstrate successful strategies for addressing the challenges of climate change in ways that save money, produce sustainable business and community development, and generate substantial economic and employment growth. Following the submittal of a letter of Intent to the CA State Business, Transportation & Housing Agency, the EBGC received green light to submit a full proposal for Innovation Hub (iHub) certification. Through the iHub program, the state's lead economic development agency will promote collaboration and commercialization of technology to stimulate job creation. Companies and research institutions within the iHubs will benefit from enhanced partnership opportunities, national and international exposure, and increased marketing opportunities. The Business Development Committee has identified the following priorities: iHub certification, developing an emerging green business incubator located near UCB/LBNL; working with cities to identify "Opportunity Sites" for cluster developments; and promotion of green businesses through policy supports. The Bay Area's East Shore Cities, which includes the cities of Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland and San Leandro, designated the approximately $30,000 remaining in their marketing budget to assist in EBGC marketing efforts, including expansion of the EBGC website. San Leandro staff will play an active role in the Marketing Committee which has been inactive to date but will begin work on a marketing strategy. An EBGC subcommittee met to discuss development of a grant application for part of the $390 million available from the Department of Energy for Retrofit Ramp-Up projects. On October 24, 2009, the EBGC hosted a team from Freiburg, Germany's Solar Information Center (SIC). SIC is looking to development amulti-tenanted building of green technology