ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER

Quarter 2 • 2025

In this Edition:

Share your challenges and priorities in our Business Surveys
Welcome Tracy's new Trader Joe's
Get up-to-date on recent Economic Development events
Utilize the new SJC WorkNet hub
Learn about the H2O Hackathon
Recap the 2025 State of the City Address

City Updates

Participate in Tracy's Small Business Survey

The City of Tracy’s Economic Development Division is conducting two Business Surveys to better understand the current challenges and priorities of Tracy's locally owned and operated business community. To ensure we capture a complete picture of the community, two separate surveys are available: one specifically for Downtown businesses and another for small businesses throughout the rest of the City. To take the surveys, visit the City's website or use the QR Codes below.

Downtown Business Survey

Small Business Survey

These surveys will help guide future programs, resources, and policies that support economic growth and business success. The feedback from our small businesses is essential to ensure that our efforts are informed, responsive, and aligned with the real needs of the people who live, work, and play in Tracy. Your input will directly shape how to move forward together.

Trader Joe's Celebrates Grand Opening

After two years of anticipation and collaboration, the City of Tracy has officially opened its first Trader Joe’s. The community welcomed the store with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 13. To commemorate the grand opening, Mayor Arriola presented Trader Joe’s Captain Jay Jones with a certificate of recognition. This milestone marks Tracy’s continued economic growth and commitment to enhancing quality of life.

Stay updated on these developments by visiting the City News webpage.

City Staff Attends Major Economic Development Events

This spring, Tracy's Economic Development team participated in several impactful events aimed at strengthening local business growth and expanding regional investment opportunities.

The team attended the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Annual Conference, held in Ontario, California. This event, themed "Growing Economies from the Ground Up," provided valuable insights into the latest economic development strategies and offered opportunities to network with other economic development professionals across California.

Staff also represented Tracy at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Conference, engaging with over 20 industry representatives to promote Tracy for retail investment, attract new businesses, activate vacant properties, and explore business partnerships.

To support global investment efforts, the team participated in the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, the nation's premier event for foreign direct investment. There, Tracy's economic development team collaborated with international investors, industry experts, and other economic development organizations to explore opportunities for global business growth.

By participating in these influential events, Tracy continues to position itself as a leader in economic development while staying current with innovative strategies.

SJC WorkNet Celebrated Grand Opening of Tracy Location

This May, the San Joaquin County WorkNet celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting, hosted by the Tracy Chamber of Commerce, for its new Tracy location, marking an exciting milestone for the City's workforce and economic development efforts. The new center reflects a shared commitment between Tracy's Economic Development team and WorkNet to equip residents with in-demand skills and connect local businesses with qualified talent.

As a hub for job seekers and employers, WorkNet provides free access to a range of career services, including resume building, job search assistance, certifications, and business support tools. This one-stop resource center is designed to meet the needs of Tracy's evolving economy.

By connecting residents to employment opportunities and helping businesses find and train local talent, the partnership between the Economic Development team and WorkNet plays a key role in strengthening Tracy's workforce, attracting investment, and enhancing the quality of life for the community. Explore this resource by visiting the SJC WorkNet website.

City Sponsors 8th Annual H2O Hackathon

200 San Joaquin County high school and college students convened this May for the 8th Annual H2O Hackathon, where they faced off in competition to solve California’s water challenges. In teams of two to four, they developed either an app prototype or digital media campaign to present engineering solutions and raise awareness. After one specific water-related issue was revealed, teams had only 5 hours to complete their projects utilizing creative development tools such as Code.org App Lab, Adobe Express and Canva. Events like these help cultivate a hard-working culture, encourage STEM innovation and inspire innovation in the future workforce. To learn more, visit the H2O Hackathon website.

State of the City Recap

The City of Tracy recently hosted its 2025 State of the City last quarter, offering attendees a chance to reflect on recent accomplishments and explore the exciting future ahead.

Mayor Dan Arriola delivered the State of the City address, emphasizing his vision of making the "American Dream" achievable for Tracy residents. He outlined his commitment to building a stronger economic foundation for residents and businesses. A key highlight was the creation of the new Community & Economic Development Department, designed to simplify business investment in Tracy. Mayor Arriola also introduced the Tracy Economic Development Strategic Plan, a roadmap to enhance Tracy's economy.

The Mayor provided updates on several major projects, including the Multi-Generational Recreation Center, the Aquatic Center, and the Tracy War Memorial. He detailed infrastructure improvements, like the work on Bessie Avenue and Corral Hollow. New Public Safety enhancements were highlighted, as well as the Tracy Youth Activities Initiative, a proposal aimed at expanding youth activities in the City.

The event concluded with an economic assessment that provided valuable insights into regional population trends, housing and rental costs, and job market growth. View the 2025 State of the City on the City of Tracy YouTube.

Business Resources and News

There are many ways to boost your business! Explore the options and resources to get the support you need for your small business journey while staying updated on the latest economic development news.

Click on the images to learn more.

Shop San Joaquin

Supporting local businesses is a top priority for the City of Tracy. Join “Shop San Joaquin: A Rewards Program for SJC Shoppers” (Shop San Joaquin) to promote support of your business, your fellow community and local businesses!

Shop San Joaquin offers rewards when shopping at local San Joaquin businesses and is powered by BluDot on its Open Rewards platform. Consumers who join the program will earn rewards of up to $50 per transaction and up to $200 per calendar year, subject to the availability of program funds.

Chances are your business is already included in the program, but if not follow these online steps to add your business or access more promotional features. For FAQs, visit the dedicated webpage.

Learn More

Tracy Chamber of Commerce

UPCOMING EVENTS

View the City's calendar to stay up-to-date!

We invite you to explore Tracy, one of the friendliest cities in California. Tracy is a place to kick off your shoes, hang your hat, sit back, and relax. Tracy offers a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. The City of Tracy hosts numerous festivals and community events throughout the year, as well as live theatre, art shows and music concerts. We are an enthusiastic supporter of the arts. From Tracy it is an easy drive to recreation hot-spots like the Bay Delta, Yosemite, Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay.