Our Economy

The success and vibrancy of Oakland’s regional economy is a top priority for the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Every day our companies and employees compete in a global economy. For us to compete effectively and for the benefits of our competitiveness to be spread across our community, we need close collaboration between business, government, educational institutions, labor, and the community at large.

To bolster this collaboration and help shape a strategic economic vision for Oakland and the East Bay, the Chamber is implementing the Oakland Partnership, a public-private collaborative effort focused on strengthening Oakland’s regional economy.

The Chamber is leading and implementing strategies shaped by several industry cluster working groups:

Please click here to view Industry Clusters

Healthcare & Life Sciences
Biotechnology
International Trade & Logistics
Green Technology
Creative Arts
Retail

The Chamber and its strategic partners are also working on a number of cross-cutting initiatives to strengthen our economic foundations:

Education & Workforce Training
Land Use & Business Climate
Public Safety

• Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee hears and discusses issues related to Oakland’s economy. The Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month in the Chamber Board Room. Frequently, it hears presentations or hosts panel discussions on hot topics such as the redevelopment of the Oakland Army Base and zoning and other regulatory changes. City planning, building, and economic development officials are frequently invited to meet with the group and it is a good forum to better understand city and county economic development efforts and to engage with civic leaders on economic issues.
• The Transportation Task Force
Transportation Committee considers issues related to transportation infrastructure, policy and construction in the East Bay and the region. In partnership with East Bay EDA, the Bay Area Council, ABAG, and other related groups, this committee helps formulate Chamber positions on transportation issues. It also provides a forum on transportation issues. This committee meets and works on an ad hoc basis.
• The Housing Committee
The Chamber’s Housing Committee is comprised of housing developers, contractors, landlords, tenants, real estate brokers, policy makers and others who are interested in the housing market, housing trends, housing policy and related issues. This committee meets and works on an ad hoc basis.
• East Bay Women in Business Roundtable (EBWIBR)
• The Coliseum Commerce Center Advisory Committee
The Coliseum Commerce Center Advisory Committee (CCCAC) is a group focused on the needs and concerns of businesses located in the Coliseum area of Oakland. The group addresses issues related to public safety, business security, infrastructure, economic development and redevelopment in collaboration with the City of Oakland. This Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of every month from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Hilton Oakland Airport, One Hegenberger Road, Building 5.

For more information about the Chamber’s economic development efforts, contact: Karen Engel, Economic Development Director of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.