ECD Newsletter #41 - We are giving away free penguins!

April 1, 2025 | ISSUE #41

GET YOUR FREE PENGIUN!

Permit Penguin, that is!

Email us "Free Penguin" and ECD will come visit your business with a free

Pip The Permit Penguin Stress Ball

Since you are here, have a look around! Check out what is new with ECD

News + Updates!

"A new season is a new opportunity to grow and innovate."

Visit Our Website

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

SMALL BUSINESS TRAININGS

One of ECD's amazing partner organizations - the East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - offers FREE development trainings for current and prospective small business owners! Trainings take place every month and cover a variety of topics aimed at starting, growing, and promoting your business. Visit the East Bay SBDC events page to keep abreast of upcoming trainings and classes.

Upcoming Sponsored Workshops

April 16, 2025

Marketing Your Business

Online | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

May, 7, 2025

Fundamentals of a Marketing Plan (Taught in Spanish)

Online | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Click Here To Register!

Food Entrepreneurship Training Academy (FETA)

SUCCESS STORIES

East Bay SBDC and ECD offers a free 10-part series on “Food Business Entrepreneurship” for participants interested to launch and grow food businesses in Alameda County.

Georgette Christopher was a graduate from 2022-23 Fundamental FETA program. Her business idea at Fundamental FETA graduation was to open a tea room in Livermore.

On February 13, 2025, she realized her dream and opened Burgundy Rose Tearoom in Livermore. The Mayor of the City of Livermore, Congressman Swalwell’s representative, California Senator Jerry McNerney, and Livermore Chamber of Commerce attended the grand opening.

Monica Haro, was a graduate of the Fundamental FETA and Intermediate FETA programs and the second-place award winner for best business plan. She has successfully partnered with a shop in San Lorenzo to carry her product, Moya Spice – Birria, is also gaining traction on social media. You can also find Moya Spice hosting kitchen demos and selling product at the Castro Valley Marketplace. This ready-to-use spice pack delivers all the authentic flavors of traditional Birria, making it easy to prepare in a slow cooker or pressure cooker.

UPCOMING EVENT|17th Annual Eggstravanganza!

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT(S) | FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT EDITION

AFTER

BEFORE

Castro Valley/Eden Area

Chamber of Commerce!

HOURS

Monday - Thursday

10:30 AM–2:30 PM

Friday-Sunday

Closed

LOCATION

15968 E. 14th Street, Ashland

WEBSITE

Upcoming Public Meetings | Civic Participation

Ensure that your voice is heard by taking part in these upcoming Alameda County community meetings!

CASTRO VALLEY MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Land Use Meeting(s) - Virtual

General Purpose Meeting - Castro Valley Library

EDEN AREA MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting - San Lorenzo Library

FAIRVIEW MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting - Castro Valley Library

SUNOL CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting - Sunol Glen School Cafeteria

UNINCORPORATED SERVICES COMMITTEE

Regular Meeting - San Lorenzo Library

Click Here for Agendas & More Info

Alameda County’s Administrative Minor Use Permit program – or AiMUP – has streamlined certain permitting for eligible businesses in the unincorporated area and assists in COVID recovery efforts. This allows for the approval of business permits for uses such as:

Outdoor dining, retail, and personal services
Community facilities
Pop-up spaces
Mobile food/retail
Musical performances

It only takes 5-10 days for most businesses to receive their permits through this program!

Click For More Information

Apply For An AiMUP

MOBILE CITIZEN APP

Alameda County utilizes a Mobile Citizen app that allows the public to report potholes, graffiti, and illegal dumping to the County's Public Works Agency. The app can be downloaded by searching "mobile citizen" in your phone's app store.

Visit the Mobile Citizen Page to Learn More