Port Commissioner Arabella Martinez Receives 2023 Silver SPUR Award

In November 2023, Port Commissioner Arabella Martinez received the 2023 Silver SPUR Awards at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. She was recognized as an outstanding individual whose achievements exemplify the highest aspirations of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Port and Construction Resource Center Facilitate Inaugural Contractor Academy

In November, the Port awarded the Construction Resource Center (CRC) a Community Investment Program grant to partner with the Port's Contract Compliance Office to organize and facilitate the Port’s inaugural Contractor Academy. The 30 registrants participated in the virtual Academy on Wednesdays from September 27 through November 15, 2023.

CRC provided Academy participants with valuable information to grow and scale their businesses. Specific topics included bonding and insurance, project management, billing and cash flow management, and bidding and estimating. Port staff from Engineering, Safety, Risk, Maritime Security, Purchasing, and Contract Compliance provided detailed information regarding Port policies and procedures. 

The Port’s two Prime Builders, Turner Construction and Webcor, also taught Academy participants how to register as subcontractors and successfully administer projects. We hope to see these participants on Port projects soon.

Port Wins International Industry Awards

In October 2023, the Port was presented with two awards by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) at the annual AAPA conference. The AAPA Lighthouse Awards honor the best port programs each year. 

The Port received AAPA’s Award for Overall Communications Excellence for its annual employee event - State of the Port 2023. The Port also received the 2023 Environmental Award of Distinction for Our Path to Zero Emissions in the Comprehensive Environmental Management Classification.

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Port and Equality California Hosts a Special Harbor Tour

In October 2023, The Port and Equality California co-hosted a special harbor tour for LGBTQ leadership around the Bay Area, including Commissioner Michael Colbruno and Port Executive Director Danny Wan. Participants learned about the Port, its operations, and the economic and job impact on the region. We thank Equality California for sponsoring this event with the Port.

Port Hosts Day of Science

In September 2023, Community Resources for Science, Port employees, and volunteers from the Rotary Club, San Leandro Education Foundation, and the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce led a day-long Science & Engineering Festival for an entire elementary school in San Leandro.

More than 700 children joined in the activities and interacted with the diverse, enthusiastic STEM role models. Transitional Kindergarteners launched their paper airplanes to learn about the forces of flight, and fifth graders created electrical circuits that lit up colorful LED lights.

Principal Paulette Smith remarked on the significance of giving students opportunities to explore new science concepts from diverse STEM professionals for today and the future. We were fortunate to have San Leandro Mayor Juan González participate as well.

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Port Sponsors the Alameda Chamber of Commerce's 2023 Economic Forecast

In September 2023, the Port sponsored the Alameda Chamber of Commerce's 2023 Economic Forecast event at Pnumbra Technologies. The event brought together Alameda's business and government leaders in one room to share best practices for supporting Alameda's diverse industries. Guest speakers included California Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy-Ashcraft, and noted economist Chris Thornberg. Executive Director Danny Wan was honored to introduce Assemblymember Bonta. Acting Government Affairs Manager and Chamber Board member Diego Gonzalez emceed the event.

The Port Releases Economic Report

In September 2023, the Port released a new economic impact report indicating that it generates 98,345 local jobs. It is the second-largest job generator in Oakland and the fifth-largest job generator in the region.

The Port supported an increase of 14,201 jobs, representing 14% growth from the previous report conducted in 2017. Approximately one in four direct Port jobs are held by Oakland residents, with a significant increase in jobs generated at Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is owned and operated by the Port of Oakland.  

Read the report here