December 2, 2025
Economic Development
DATE: December 2, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Jesson de Leon, Senior Business Assistance Officer
Junne Garcia, Management Analyst
Subject:
Third Quarter 2025 Update for Projects within Richmond’s Green Blue New Deal (GBND)
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to receiving this update.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
October 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
This quarterly update provides City Council with progress on active projects within Richmond’s Green-Blue New
Deal (GBND), specifically those in the Top Five Priority Areas approved by Council. Staff continue to align
resources and partnerships to advance job creation,
climate resilience, and equity through these initiatives.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a report on the status of the Richmond Green-
Blue New Deal projects - Economic Development
Department (Jesson de Leon 510-412-2023/Junne
Garcia 510-620-6524/ Nannette Beacham 510-620-
1306).
AGENDA
REPORT
December 2, 2025
BACKGROUND:
On October 1, 2024, City staff presented the Richmond Green-Blue New Deal (RGBND) Opportunities Report and its appendices to the City Council for initial review. In response to Council and community feedback, staff initiated an internal evaluation process to refine the implementation strategy and narrow the scope of projects to be prioritized over the next five years.
This process included a comprehensive review of all 24 proposed projects, surveys of internal departments, and input from the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and Workforce Development Board (WDB). Based on this evaluation, staff identified five top-ranked projects for focused implementation:
1. Port Upgrades & Offshore Wind Manufacturing
2. Building Electrification Retrofits & Green Accessory Dwellings
3. Brownfield Research and Innovation
4. Destination Downtown
5. Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles
On July 1, 2025, the Top Five Priority Areas were presented to City Council and formally approved.
The following projects previously listed as potential projects are now formally categorized under one of the Top Five Priority Areas in RGBND. Included in the listing below are their progress updates up to September 2025.
1. Port Upgrades & Offshore Wind Manufacturing
A. Assessment of Participation Options in Offshore Wind Industry City staff are in the final stages of securing a California Energy Commission (CEC) Waterfront Facility Improvement Program (WFIP) grant to support Richmond’s assessment of Port’s opportunity to participate in the offshore wind industry.
B. Build relationship with Blue Tech Companies and Industry Participated in the annual Offshore Wind Conference to strengthen connections with Blue Tech companies and explore partnership opportunities in the emerging offshore wind sector.
City staff participated in a working session with Energy Innovators Network to explore collaboration opportunities and strengthen engagement with Blue Tech industry leaders.
December 2, 2025
C. Assessment of Port Infrastructure
In partnership with Moffatt & Nichol (M&N), completed a comprehensive facilities assessment to evaluate the port’s readiness for future infrastructure improvements and offshore wind industry participation. Collaborating with Rosendin Electric to advance the design of at-berth shore power infrastructure, supporting the City’s goals for port electrification and emissions reduction.
Awarded a Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) grant to support the design of at-berth shore power infrastructure, advancing Richmond’s port decarbonization efforts.
D. Workforce Development for Marine Trades
Hosted a Community Open House and Workforce Development Ports Day to engage residents, raise awareness of maritime career pathways, and connect jobseekers with training and employment opportunities in the marine trades sector.
Participated in a site tour of the Working Waterfront Coalition and its facilities at Mare Island to explore best practices and partnership opportunities for advancing marine trades workforce development.
2. Building Electrification Retrofits & Green Accessory Dwellings
A. No-Cost Solar Program with GRID Alternatives
The City Council approved a $700,000 contract with GRID Alternatives to continue providing solar system installations for low-income households in Richmond. Outreach efforts have included mailing informational letters and hosting a sign-up workshop for residents in disadvantaged communities. An additional workshop is scheduled for November 12, 2025, specifically targeting households within the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) area.
B. Electrify My Block
Outreach is currently underway for this program that is offering no-cost, block-by-block electrification upgrades to help residents transition to cleaner energy solutions.
C. Vetted Contractors in Partnership with Marin Clean Energy (MCE) City staff City met with MCE to explore strategies for expanding the list of vetted contractors by increasing participation from Richmond-based businesses.
D. Zero Net Energy Alliance
A Virtual Power Plant initiative has been launched to support community- based clean energy generation, storage, and grid resilience.
December 2, 2025
Three of the four to five targeted vacant “zombie” homes have been successfully converted into zero net energy homes, with a site visit by the California Energy Commission scheduled for October 31, 2025, to review project progress.
E. Facilities Need Assessment for City Buildings.
City has initiated the assessment process to evaluate facility needs across municipal buildings.
F. (TCC Project) Solar Workforce
GRID Alternatives has graduated its first cohort of solar workforce trainees with IBT 200 certification, marking a key milestone in expanding clean energy career pathways.
G. Green Accessory Dwelling Units.
The City has completed a comprehensive ADU Guidebook (Attachment 1) and all-electric pre-approved ADU plans, which are available free of charge to residents and published on the City's webpage (https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4850/ADU-Preapproved-Plans).
3. Brownfield Research and Innovation
A. Workforce Training Grants in Brownfield Remediation. The current training cohort has successfully completed certification in brownfield site cleaning and remediation.
B. Internship with UC Berkeley
Staff submitted application for internship opportunity to support GBND and Brownfields.
4. Destination Downtown
A. (TCC Project) Buy Local Campaign
Development of the campaign is currently underway, with a projected launch in late 2025.
B. (TCC Project) Small Business Beautification Pilot Program Development of the program is currently underway, with a projected launch in late 2025.
C. Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force.
The Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force has been established to guide planning and coordination efforts for the Destination Downtown initiative.
December 2, 2025
5. Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles
A. City of Richmond’s Transitioning of Vehicle Fleet to Zero Emission Vehicles. The consultant is expected to submit the draft final deliverable for the Zero Emission Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan by the end of October 2025, representing a significant step in advancing the City’s fleet electrification efforts.
In Q3 2025, two all-electric transit vans were added to the City’s fleet and placed into active service, marking a key milestone in the transition to zero-emission municipal transportation.
B. Richmond Wired for Success
The first cohort of the Richmond Wired for Success program is currently undergoing training, marking the initial phase of the project’s implementation.
C. Manufacturing a Green Economy
City, in collaboration with United Auto Workers (UAW) and Marin Clean Energy (MCE), is advancing the Manufacturing a Green Economy initiative, which focuses on creating clean technology career pathways— such as electric vehicle battery production—to generate long-term, high- quality jobs for local residents.
D. Sustainable Transportation Options
City, in partnership with MCE, Urban Tilth, Rich City Rides, TransForm, Miocar, RCF Connects, and Charge Across Town, is promoting sustainable transportation options and will host an Electric Transportation Fair at The Lot in Downtown Richmond on October 25.
Notable Related Project Updates
City staff are in the process of completing preliminary exploratory steps to assess opportunities for expanding shoreline ecotourism and nature-based recreation along Richmond’s waterfront.
Alameda and Contra Costa Counties are implementing High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) grants to support the Marine Trades and Water Transportation Careers Workforce Training Program, expanding regional pathways into high-quality, climate- resilient maritime jobs.
December 2, 2025
NEXT STEPS:
Providing this quarterly update to City Council was identified as a priority to ensure transparency, accountability, and continued alignment with Council-approved goals under the Richmond Green-Blue New Deal.
Phase 4 Implementation Strategy Update
City staff are currently advancing the development of the Phase 4 Implementation Strategy. This phase focuses on preparing detailed scopes of work for each of the five approved priority project areas. These scopes will be informed by prior assessments, community engagement, and interdepartmental collaboration, and will serve as the foundation for coordinated implementation efforts.
The Implementation Strategy will include project-specific guidelines and a prioritization matrix to support decision-making and resource allocation. Each scope of work will emphasize the integration of climate action, workforce inclusion, economic equity, and environmental sustainability. In addition, staff are identifying lead departments, key partnerships, and resource requirements necessary to support successful execution.
Upon completion, draft scopes of work and associated resource needs will be presented to the City Council for review and further direction.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
The RGBND initiative is rooted in Resolution 88-21 and builds upon Richmond’s Climate Action Plan, Economic Development Action Plan, Health in All Policies Strategy, and Richmond Workforce Development Local Plan. The overarching goals include advancing a Just Transition and creating at least 1,000 new green-blue jobs to support a just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable future. Additionally, this is included in the City Council Goals and Priorities 6.1.b.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – City of Richmond Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guidebook