Community & Economic Development Committee
October 27, 2025
Item (d)4 Economic Development Activities
Semi-Annual Status Report
Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager
Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) Corporate Outreach Team Makes Connections
May – October 2025
❖ Engagement:120+ activities, events and meet
and greets, connecting with key employers,
companies, and commercial and real estate
professionals.
❖ North San Jose + Fremont Real Estate Bus
Tour with The Registry
❖ Hospitality Roundtable at City Hall
❖ Manufacturing Roundtable at City Hall
❖ SEMICON West in Phoenix, AZ
❖ Ribbon cuttings for Thales, Astera Labs,
Abacus Semiconductor
❖ AI Incentive Grants: Co-led the development
and promotion of the program which awarded
$175,000 in grants to four early-stage AI
companies.
2 May – October 2025
3 Fostering Thriving Business Districts
❖ Business Corridor Highlights:
❖ The Alameda Community Benefit
Improvement District formation, providing
an estimated $327K in annual funding for
the corridor.
❖ 13 ribbon cuttings in seven neighborhood
business districts.
❖ The City’s Small Business Allies facilitated a
record 3,000+ small business owners with stepby-step assistance on city permits, inspections, and business tax registrations in FY 2024-2025.
❖ Holiday Shop Local Campaign: Collaboration
with Team San Jose, San Jose Downtown
Association, and 12 local business associations.
May – October 2025
4 Activating San José’s Sports, Arts and Entertainment
❖ Facilitating Events: The Special Events Team
facilitated more than 227 outdoor special event
days this summer that drew more 770,000
people.
❖ 2025 Creative Ambassadors: Creative
Ambassadors have hosted 25+ events,
fostering active participation from residents.
❖ Group art exhibition Nov. 7 - 23: Creative
Stories: As Told by the People of San José
❖ Entertainment Zone Launch
❖ Pilot of Post Street Entertainment Zone in
collaboration with Qmunity.
❖ Program available in eight locations.
May – October 2025
5 Workforce Development
❖ San José Works Summer Work Experience
Program: 345 San José youth from low-income and
underserved communities received a professional
learning experience related to a career of interest.
❖ Hiring Now Job Fair: More than 500 job seekers
attended job fair hosted at the Mexican Heritage
Plaza.
❖ Upcoming:
❖ Fall Career Fair: Nov. 12, 2025, at San José City
College.
❖ Medical Assistance Training Program: 9-month
certification training will support 15-17 San José
residents with low-income status.
❖ Semiconductor Apprenticeships with Western
Digital accepting applications through Nov. 26,
2025.
May – October 2025
6 Accelerating a Thriving Downtown
❖ New Lighting, Storefronts and Art for
Downtown: Celebrated the completion
of the Santa Clara Corridor Project
downtown beautification initiative in July
2025.
❖ Adding Color to Qmunity District:
OEDCA Staff volunteered in August
2025 to help paint, “Romance” a new
mural by San José artist Danny Feliz
Hanson.
❖ Downtown Farmers Market Returns:
Opened in April 2025, the Farmers’
Market has averaged 550+ customers
and has grown to 16-18 vendors offering
fruits, vegetables, prepared and hot
food. May – October 2025
7 OEDCA Welcomes New Team Members
❖ Jennifer Baker, Director
❖ Michael Lomio, Downtown Manager
❖ Erica Garaffo: Large-Load Energy Customer
Lead
❖ Santa Clara University Leavey School of
Business Community Fellows: Camille
Agdinaoay, Rima Christie and Shreya Jain
❖ Cristo Rey intern: Elizabeth Solorio
Hernandez
May – October 2025
8 Community & Economic Development Committee
October 27, 2025
Item (d)4 Economic Development Activities
Semi-Annual Status Report
Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager
Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA)