Community & Economic Development Committee
May 22, 2023
Item (d)1
Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager,
Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs
Small Business Month Event on May 12 a Success
130+ small business owners and partners
attended Helping Small Businesses Thrive:
Tools to Grow Your Online Presence and
Manage Your Finances
Two panels:
How to use social media to market your
small business
Financial tools for small business owners
Live interpretation offered in Spanish,
Vietnamese, Chinese
Retail Takes Center Stage at Annual ICSC Monterey Event ICSC, the trade association formerly known as the
International Council of Shopping Centers and rebranded as “Innovating Commerce Serving Communities,” brought together hundreds of
professionals for two days of conferencing and dealmaking on Feb. 28 and March 1 in Monterey.
Staff from the Office of Economic Development and
Cultural Affairs was there to glean industry insights,
promote San José as a good place to do business,
and share information about San Jose retail
opportunities.
In San José, nine of the City’s top 25 sales-tax payers are retailers and approximately 55,000 people work
within the sector.
March 2023
Fun + Sharing of Ideas: Recap of Lord Mayor of Dublin,
Ireland and Delegation's Visit to San José
In celebration of the 37-year San José and Dublin,
Ireland sister city relationship, the City hosted Lord
Mayor Caroline Conroy and a six-member Dublin City
Council delegation in March. The last Dublin
delegation visit was in March 2019.
The Dublin City Council officials met with several City leaders and departments to learn of the City’s work in
various areas including youth programs, libraries,
housing, economic development, and civic
engagement.
March 2023
Women’s History Month – March 2023:
A Spotlight on San José's Women-Owned Businesses
The Office of Economic Development and
Cultural Affairs recognizes women business
entrepreneurs, including those who have opened
their businesses in San José.
Our office is committed to assisting small
businesses and helping lay a foundation for
entrepreneurs and companies to develop new
ideas and foster economic opportunities for
generations to come. Are you interested in
opening a business in San José? Get started
here with our Business Coaching Center!
March 2023
Creating Community on Tully Road
Christina Bui shares her thoughts on her experience as a business owner and the work to launch the TREBA.
"My family and I immigrated to America as refugees of
the Vietnamese war in 1980. Moving to East San José in
the 1980’s was like moving to a second Vietnam, there
were already many immigrants like ourselves settling into San José and opening businesses. We were surrounded
by markets that sold our types of food, restaurants that made pho just like home, and a bookstore that had
Vietnamese books, newspapers and magazines.
We were very happy here, everything we needed was
within a three-mile radius. New shops were opening all
around us. But I realized something: most of the shop
owners like my parents did not speak English or had very little understanding of it."
April 2023
Celebrating New Businesses in San José
We love to celebrate the openings of new businesses
in San José! It’s an opportunity to see in person the
entrepreneurial spirit that Silicon Valley is known for and for many business owners, to witness their dream
come true. Below are a few of the recent grand
openings we’ve been able to support, attend, and
celebrate.
• Hula Bar and Kitchen, 30 East Santa Clara St.,
• Rosario’s Tacos, 889 S. Almaden Ave.
• 2 Marias Western Wear, 10 Stewart Ave
• Plant Lush Willow Glen, 1324 Lincoln Ave.
• K&J Sweets & Bakery, 115 E. San Carlos St.
DTSJ Through the Lens of an Out-of-Downtowner
On March 29-31, San José was host to hundreds of
out-of-towners for the West Coast Urban District
Forum, organized by the San José Downtown
Association, California Downtown Association and the
International Downtown Association.
What we heard:
Seattle: “All of the art on the streets is
incredible. I'd walk through this area even if
there weren't businesses. It's like an outdoor
art gallery.”
Vacaville, Ca.: “I see a downtown with a lot of
hotels, some tech, lacking middle development
-- housing and smaller commercial -- and a
lively downtown of restaurants and businesses.
I can see its potential -- it just takes time.” March 2023 Guest blog post by the San José Downtown Association
work2future's Spring Career Fair a Success
On April 25, work2future partnered with San José City
College, and Manufacture: San Jose to host the Spring
Career Fair, which was a resounding success with
more than 350 job seekers and 60 employers in
attendance.
The event created an opportunity for the community to
network with potential employers and discover new
career paths in various industries. Attendees had the
chance to meet with hiring managers and recruiters
from a range of industries, including manufacturing,
government, finance, and so much more.
April 2023
Make Music San José 2023: Want to Perform or
Host a Performance?
On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in more than 120
countries around the world, musicians young and old,
amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion
— will pour onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors, and
strangers.
San José is taking part – wanna join?
Make Music San José is open to anyone who wants to
take part. People get together in their neighborhoods
and create musical events in a do-it-yourself fashion.
Venues can be anywhere, and performers can be
anyone. No cost to register or attend. All events are
free and open to the public.
Additional Highlights
Grant + professional opportunities for San José
artists: Creative Economy Fund &
Entrepreneurial Training for artists
Small Business Rent Relief Grant program:
Extended through June 30, 2023
Headliners in Japantown becomes official
retailer for San José merchandise
San José named second-happiest City in the
U.S.: Wallethub
Community & Economic Development Committee
May 22, 2023
Item (d)1
Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager,
Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs