Community & Economic Development Committee
April 28, 2025
Item (d)3 Economic Development Activities Quarterly Status Report Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager
City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) Celebrating San José’s Black and Female Business Owners and Leaders
February - March 2025
2 In February and March, OEDCA highlighted
San José’s Black and Women business
owners and entrepreneurs for Black and
Women’s History Months.
Seven of the 11 business associations
OEDCA works with are led by women.
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander
Month and June is Pride Month. Add to our
list of entrepreneurs and business owners
to highlight for these and future Shop Local
spotlights! bit.ly/ShopLocalSJTips
Disability Grants & Small Business Advisory Committee
Increasing Disability Access: OEDCA
staff continued outreach and promotion of the
City's Disability Access Improvement Grants
program, which helps small businesses pay for
a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report and
to hire professionals to design and remove ADA
barriers.
OEDCA hosted the quarterly meeting of the
San José Small Business Advisory
Committee on March 26, 2025. The mission of
the Committee is to advocate for San José’s
small businesses, promote entrepreneurship,
and continue to make San José an ideal place
to do business.
February - March 2025
3 Growing San José’s AI and Semiconductor Ecosystem
Plug and Play AI Center of Excellence: April 2,
2025 ribbon-cutting for the first AI-focused incubator
of its kind in Downtown San José.
AI Start-Up Incentive Grants: More than 80
applications received for program granting up to
$50,000 for early-stage AI startups that establish
headquarters or operations in San José. Deadline to
apply is May 15, 2025.
Nokia’s Semiconductor Fabrication Facility: Tour
and press conference of Nokia’s new facility in South
San José with Congressman Panetta, Mayor Mahan
and Councilmember Casey.
Facility supported by $93 million federal CHIPS
grant received with assistance and support from
OEDCA.
March - April 2025
4 Supporting an Enhanced Downtown Experience for
Businesses, Residents and Visitors
Downtown and Regional Wayfinding:
92 new pedestrian-oriented and bike-focused
signs installed.
Downtown Walking Map updated and
distributed to local hotels and arts venues.
NVIDIA GTC 2025: More than 25,000 visitors to
Downtown; increases in hotel stays, restaurant
activity and visitors from out of state vs. NVIDIA
2024 numbers.
Recent Ribbon Cuttings:
Dental Specialties Institute
The Press Room
6th Street Burger
Jackie’s Place
February – April 2025
5 Strengthening San José’s Creative Economy
Sonic Loveway: Valentines Day celebration
in front of City Hall’s Sonic Runway featured
live music, food trucks, vendors and free
professional photos.
South Bay Arts Summit: 100+ people
attended the March 14 event organized by
SVCreates and OEDCA featuring panels and
workshops centered around the intersections
of art and entrepreneurship.
Upcoming:
WeCreate408: Final days April 28 – 30,
2025
Mommy and Me Moss Art: Saturday, May
10, 2025, hosted by Creative
Ambassador Jessica Gutierrez
Make Music Day: Saturday, June 21,
2025 6
February – April 2025
Welcome Sister City Okayama, Japan
A City Council delegation from Okayama,
Japan visited in April to engage in
discussions on facility management with
the San Jose Sharks, SJSU, and City
staff.
The delegation’s agenda also included
initial discussions around the 70th
anniversary of San José and Okayama’s
Sister City relationship in 2027.
The Sister Cities program provides
opportunities for San José and its
residents to engage with cities across the
globe in the arts, education, sport,
economic development and other
initiatives.
April 2025
7 OEDCA Workforce Development:
Focused on High Wage Jobs for All
Spring Career Fair April 23, 2025: More than
60 employers and resource providers
participated in the career fair hosted by
work2future and San José City College.
San José Works: Recruitment now open for sixweek long summer work experience program for San José youth.
Up to 325 San José youth from low-income
and underserved communities will receive a
professional learning experience related to a
career of interest.
To participate in the program as a mentor,
employer or student: bit.ly/sanjoseworks
8 April 2025
Community & Economic Development Committee
April 28, 2025
Item (d)3 Economic Development Activities Quarterly Status Report Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager
City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA)