To help grow local economy, attract new businesses and jobs; will also serve as City’s public information officer

By Allen Payton

At their meeting on November 14, the Antioch City Council unanimously approved creating and filling the position of Economic Development Director, as the city has had in the past, who will work to attract new businesses and jobs to Antioch and help grow our local economy.

According to the staff report, the salary range (without benefits) is $127,392 – $154,836 and the total annual cost range for funding the position is $234,425 – $279,277. Staff “recommended that a budget for four months of cost be appropriated in the FY2017/18 General Fund budget and a full year of cost in the FY2018/19 General Fund budget.” ACC Mtg 11-14-17 agenda item on Econ Dev Dir

The staff report further included the following about the new position which his expected to be filled by March 1, 2018:

“At the June 27, 2017 City Council Meeting, during the discussion about approving and adopting a two-year operating budget for the fiscal years 2017-2019, Council Members stated that they supported a six-month timeframe for Council to consider funding for an Economic Development Director in an effort to market the City to increase revenue and job growth.

The Economic Development Director plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities designed to promote community vitality and encourage efforts to expand the local economy and coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies.

Some of the duties of the Economic Development Director are:

• Act as a catalyst to introduce new business to Antioch.
• Negotiate development agreements related to economic development activities.
• Coordinate consultants and City staff in securing funding for economic development projects and activities.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the fields of redevelopment and economic development; incorporate new developments as appropriate.
• Develop a marketing plan.
• Coordinate information activities on City programs and oversee a public information program.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.”

The council voted unanimously to create the position and begin the search process to find the best applicant. That person will have “A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, planning, economics, or a related field” and Six years of increasingly responsible economic development experience including three years of management and administrative responsibility.”

By John Crowder

On Friday, October 20, representatives of four cities and the county came together to discuss economic development for the East County region.  The annual EC² (EC Squared, which stands for East County Economic Collaborative) Summit, the brainchild of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, is designed to promote job growth and economic opportunity in the region.  The event was held at the Antioch Community Center.

Moderated by Antioch Mayor Sean Wright, attendees heard from representatives from each of four cities; Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood, and Oakley, as well as a representative from the Contra Costa County Transportation Agency.

Presenters from each city highlighted resources and programs that are designed to stimulate economic activity.  Antioch’s presentation focused on the development of the waterfront, light industrial space, and the upcoming BART extension to the city.

The City of Pittsburg presentation highlighted a desire to move beyond heavy industry by shifting focus to manufacturing and their involvement in the Bay Area Manufacturing Initiative.  Also mentioned were marketing initiatives for the City, including the use of social media.

Oakley’s talk discussed how residential development is driving growth.  According to their presentation, they have over 5000 entitled residential lots, along with over 300 acres of industrial zoned land.  Emphasizing that as a city they are, “development friendly,” they noted a reduction in commercial impact fees of 40% and a streamlined project approval process.

The City of Brentwood touted their Economic Development Action Plan.  Some of their “game changers” include a business development center, full scale hospital, a Next Generation Technology Business Park, and a Farm to Fork program.

Contra Costa Transportation Authority Executive Director Randy Iwasaki discussed the East Bay as a “Corridor of Opportunity,” with a broad overview of how voter approved transportation initiative funds are being used.  The projects he mentioned included work on Highway 4, BART expansion to Antioch, and the Highway 160/Highway 4 Connector Ramps.  He also discussed future projects under consideration.

Antioch Mayor Sean Wright commented on the event, saying, “It was awesome to see all four cities and the County coming together to discuss strategies and work being done to bring jobs to East Contra Costa County.  Too many of our residents are spending too much of their lives commuting and we must double our efforts to bring those good paying jobs here to our region.”

His sentiments were echoed by Richard Pagano, CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.  He said the important question is, “How do we work regionally to bring jobs to the entire area? A job in Antioch helps Oakley, and vice-versa.  That’s the paradigm shift we’re trying to effect.”

The television broadcast of EC² can be seen on the following channels in November: CCTV – Wednesday November 15 at 12 pm and Delta TV – Thursday November 16 at 10 am.

CDC’s property on Wilbur Avenue in Antioch, the site of AMPCOR’s new operations. photo courtesy of CDC.

Also, Autozone to open in former Delta Fresh Foods location

According to Antioch City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated Feb. 10, 2017, an 108-acre site in Antioch on 2101-2603 Wilbur Avenue has been leased to AMPORTS. In August of 2016 the industrial waterfront site in Antioch, California formerly known as the Gaylord Container/Forestar site with access to deep water port/wharf was purchased for $7 million by Commercial Development Company Inc. (CDC), a company out of St. Louis and a leading North American commercial real estate and brownfield redevelopment company.

AMPORTS is a leader in the global automotive service industry for over 50 years of experience. With multiple locations in the United States and Mexico, AMPORTS is one of the largest auto processors in North America. Nearby they operate at the Port of Benicia in the Benicia Industrial Park, where AMPORTS facility covers 640 acres.

AMPORTS is expanding their automotive logistics services to Antioch. The site in Antioch will be used to process vehicles, inspect, and detail before they go to various dealerships. AMPORTS anticipates creating about 50 direct local jobs for their operations and are pleased with the business friendly welcoming the City of Antioch has offered with getting their business up and running.

The paper mill was retired and demolished in 2002. Since closing, environmental impact from past operations has limited redevelopment options. CDC’s remediation plans give fresh potential to redevelop this attractive waterfront industrial site.

In addition to selling surplus real estate to CDC, this transaction enabled Forestar Group to transfer environmental obligations to Environmental Liability Transfer, Inc. (ELT), an affiliate of CDC.  ELT assumed responsibility for legacy environmental liabilities associated with the site and its former operators.

EnviroAnalytics Group (EAG), another CDC affiliate, will work with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to oversee ongoing remedial activities, including environmental monitoring, to bring the site to regulatory closure. Successful environmental clean-up will reposition this site for port and industrial re-use and stimulate new construction and jobs.

Throughout the remediation process, CDC will be performing land studies, market assessments, and meeting with community stakeholders to determine the highest and best use for this site going forward.

This site is zoned heavy industrial and has a pier on the San Joaquin River to support international shipping, as well as nearby rail. With excellent access to Hwy 4 and the San Joaquin River, this 108 acre site is among the largest deep water sites in the East Bay region and can support logistical and industrial users. The site also has 2000 feet of Wilbur Avenue frontage and is near the new Antioch BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station scheduled to open this year.

“We are excited to expand our redevelopment efforts into the East Bay region” said Steve Collins, Executive Vice President at Commercial Development Company, Inc., “Our acquisition of this deep-water industrial port is the first step to repurposing this strategic property. The Antioch market is poised for economic rebirth and CDC is pleased to bring this site to market.”

To learn more about Amports visit www.amports.com. To learn more about CDC visit www.cdcco.com.

AutoZone

In addition, Duran reports that AutoZone anticipates taking over a 13,860 square foot store, formerly Delta Fresh Foods, located at 4036 Lone Tree Way. Renovations and permitting are in progress.

Editor:

Contra Costa County will be in direct coalition to Community Choice Energy (CCE) a sustainable choice to cleaner energy usage. They are pleased to announce their plans to bring more unionized jobs that will benefit the CCCounty.

This local renewable build out scenario, would involve a significant number of mostly unionized and non-union hires.  Also, a potential for 40% of the local build out will be near the Northern Waterfront in Concord area. In return this will be a huge deal for those looking to get hired in today’s economy. As the plans are underway to figure out the details there will be more to come on this future project.

Keep posted for more information regarding the Community Choice Energy (CCE) unionized jobs for hire and their announcements.

Lynette Robinson

San Pablo

There will be lots of positions to be filled!

WHAT:           The Contra Costa County Fair will be holding a Job Fair and interviews on Saturday, May 7th.  Applications and interviews will take place for the 2016 Contra Costa Contra Costa County Fair which will be held Thursday June 2^nd – Sunday, June 5th.  Available positions include but are not limited to: parking and ticket sellers, ticket takers, parking attendants, customer service representatives, janitorial staff, maintenance staff, security guards and more.  Fair Management and Department Supervisors are looking for people with a strong work ethics and a high level of customer service who want to be part of the Contra Costa County Fair event.  Interested applicants must bring their photo ID and a social security card to the Job Fair.  Applications will be available to fill out on-site or are available on-line in advance under the “About Us” tab at www.contracostafair.com

WHEN:           Saturday, May 7th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Contra Costa County Fairgrounds Office, 1201 West 10^th Street, Antioch

WHY:             Each year the Contra Costa County Fair hires roughly 50 – 100 people to work at the annual event, not including the local employees hired directly by our individual food vendors, carnival providers and Livestock department. We are looking for top-notch workers who believe in keeping the Contra Costa County Fair a place where families can expect superior customer service.  The goal with the Job Fair is to create a greater level of awareness among Contra Costa County residents that these job opportunities exist at the Contra Costa County Fair.  The fact that we are hiring hard working local residents creates a big opportunity for those looking for work.