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6 City of San Leandro | Economic Development Initiatives and Work Plan | May 2013 <br /> <br />• Mi Rancho: Reviewed real estate options and ultimately renewed lease, keeping over <br />125 jobs in San Leandro <br />• KWW Kitchen Cabinets and Bath: Moved to 1251 Doolittle Drive <br />• Thermo King: Moved to 2161 Adams <br />• US Superior Stone: Moved to 2050 Williams and saw sales increase by 30% <br /> <br />Business Incentive Programs – Although public funding for economic development was <br />severely constrained by the elimination of Redevelopment Agencies in California, the City of <br />San Leandro has budgeted $180,000 annually for business incentive programs. The City <br />presently offers three categories of financial incentives: <br />1. Commercial Façade Improvement: The City of San <br />Leandro maintains two programs aimed at commercial <br />façade improvement: the Commercial Rehabilitation <br />Program and the Awning Sign and Paint Program. <br />These programs serve to stimulate investment and <br />improve the exterior appearance of businesses in <br />order to make commercial districts more attractive. <br />The Awning, Sign and Paint Program provides <br />forgivable loans of up to $10,000 in matching funds <br />and the Commercial Rehabilitation Program provide <br />forgivable loans of up to $50,000 in matching funds. Projects are required to <br />significantly contribute to improving the appearance of a business. <br /> <br />The City also offers design assistance, providing business and property owners with <br />professional architectural and design services to explore options for improving their <br />properties. The process of re-imagining commercial spaces to be more attractive and <br />inviting ultimately leads to the community embracing higher standards for the <br />appearance of buildings and public spaces. <br /> <br />2. Broadband Connection Program: The City of San Leandro provides matching funds (in <br />the form of a forgivable loan) of up to $10,000 to reduce the cost of connecting a <br />commercial or industrial building to broadband infrastructure. The program includes, <br />but is not limited to, connection to the Lit San Leandro fiber optic network. Projects are <br />evaluated based on their ability to stimulate high-tech business activity, innovation, and <br />job creation.