March is Women’s History Month!
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Chamber is contacting women-owned businesses to feature on our blog. Please contact nadine@rcoc.com for details.
Funding Opportunities
March 10: The Richmond Promise Scholarship
March 20: ECIA Community Grant Program Application Due
Chamber Events
March 15: Women of Impact: a Richmond Business Bites Event
March 23: Tri Chamber Mixer
March 29: Breakfast for Business
Highlights from the Richmond City Council Meeting – February 28, 2017
E-1. ANNOUNCE City of Richmond Boards and Commissions vacancies as of February 28
Citizen’s Police Review Commission recommendation made by council, new appointee to be made next meeting.
E-2. PROCLAMATION declaring March 2017 as Women’s History Month in the City of Richmond
Women’s History Month celebrates the role of women in Richmond’s history and present progress. From the Rosies of World War Two to the entrepreneurs, visionaries, and leaders of today, we salute Richmond’s women for their contributions. Please attend the Richmond Business Bites Event “Women of Impact” on March 15th celebrating Richmond’s Women Entrepreneurs.
Also, International Women’s Day is March 8th!
Business Highlight: Oneva
Richmond native Anita Gardyne is co-founder and CEO of Onēva, Inc., an enterprise concierge care service that connects clients with vetted professionals in the fields of child, adult, and elder care, special needs, and housecleaning in the San Francisco Bay Area. Oneva has provided hundreds of jobs to Richmond residents.
Gardyne will be recognized at the Richmond Business Bites Event: “Women of Impact” on March 15th alongside the following Richmond Women Entrepreneurs:
- Susun Kim, Family Justice Center
- Ghaliyah Roberts-Palmer, Gratitude (a gift shop)
- Earthmother Iyalode, CURME
- Qiana Riley, Astro Construction
- Barbara Brown, Riggers Loft Wine Company
- Vaneese Johnson, The Boldness Coach
REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER
- The Richmond Promise Scholarship: Applications due March 10.
- Environmental and Community Investment Community Grant Program
Richmond nonprofits supporting community activities, youth, and youth sports are encouraged to apply. Applications due March 20th.
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor Tom Butt
November Political Highlights
Mayor Butt began his presentation with an overview of political highlights from 2016, notably a supermajority of Richmond Progressive Alliance members on council and the passage and failure of ballot measures related to housing and rent control.
Fiscal Issues
The projected 2017 deficit is 4.5 million dollars. Pension and healthcare costs are projected to rise while services are expected to decrease. Mayor Butt stated that marijuana operations may account for a missing “one to four million dollars” in revenue. Additional sources of revenue include a pending litter fee ($8,000), pipeline franchises, which could raise $100,000, and greater enforcement of building permit and business license fee collections. An estimated 2,000 businesses in Richmond are operating without a license according to the mayor.
Richmond’s nonprofit organizations were commended for improving outcomes for residents. Richmond Works hired 1,200 Richmond residents in 2016. Youth Works, creating opportunities for young adults aged 16 thru 24, placed 166 Richmond youth in summer employment opportunities last year. Richmond Build graduated its third cohort in 2016, who earn an average of $21 an hour.
Employment
Richmond’s unemployment rate (4.6%) is “its lowest since WWII” in 2016 with approximately 2,500 residents seeking or looking for jobs. Richmond minimum wage is set to increase to $13 in January 2018.
Real Estate & Development
The development of the ferry, a more robust transportation infrastructure, and commercial and housing development on the south shoreline are projected to attract millennials in the coming years. Hilltop remains a high priority site for development.
Mayor Butt stated internal political struggles as a primary cause of UC Berkeley’s decision to suspend plans to build a global campus on Richmond Bay.
Local Business Highlights
Richmond is becoming a premier Bay Area destination for craft beer and wine. Riggers Loft, East Brother Beer Company, and Benoit Capser are currently in operation, with Armistice Brewing Company set to open in Marina Bay this year.
East Brother Light Station Dinner, Bed & Breakfast is seeking volunteers on the second Friday of each month, free lunch provided.
The 2016 SF Business Times, Richmond Issue highlights economic development and community assets in Richmond.
Richmond Marketing Plan
The Mayor’s Branding & Marketing Strategy is in its final development stage, to be released shortly.
Rent Control & Just Cause
Richmond’s median rent is over fifty percent (50%) of median family income. The city’s median rent has been trending downward since September 2016, reflecting a Bay Area wide trend. Richmond’s vacancy rate has been around four percent (4%) over the past decade.
Homebuying
The city’s median home price is $380,000. The Zillow foreclosure rate is the lowest it has been in over a decade.
The Richmond Bay Specific Plan (RBSP) is a great resource for residents who wish to learn how the city’s General Plan 2030 will be facilitated.
Housing Development
The Richmond Housing Renovation Program continues to improve blighted and financially distressed homes in the city. The Richmond Community Foundation (RCF) facilitates the program from acquisition to sale of the properties.
Law Enforcement
The Richmond Police Department was nationally recognized last year for innovation in community policing. Our own Assemblymember, Tony Thurmond was noted for his continued dedication to improving outcomes for AD-15.
There were a total to twenty-four (24) homicides last year, ninety percent (90%) of which were gang-related. Seventy-one percent (71%) of those involved in these crimes were young adults between twenty to thirty (20-30) years of age. Mayor Butt noted the importance of grassroots efforts and continued innovation in peacekeeping.
Education
- WCCUSD welcomed a new superintendent, Matthew Duffy.
- The Richmond Promise graduated a total of 255 students in 2016, seventy-three percent (73%) of whom are first-generation college students.
- Writer Coach Connection continues to improve critical thinking and writing skills for Richmond youth.
- The Richmond Writes Poetry Contest 2017 submissions are due on March 10.
- The All Ears Reading ® at the Richmond Public Library improves the reading fluency and confidence of local youth, who read to specially trained dogs.
- The Richmond Collaborative partnered with Connected Camps to bring Minecraft to kids in Richmond for the second year in a row.
Transportation & Connectivity
Highlights in transportation and connectivity included but are not limited to:
- The Grand Re-Opening of the Richmond Division 3 Bus Facility on January 27, 2017. The facility supports 71 operating routes and created 123 local jobs.
- Richmond Ferry service is scheduled for 2018. Tideline’s Richmond to San Francisco route is also up and running.
- Access Improvements to the Bay Bridge
- The Richmond Wellness Trail
- Free Solar Systems for qualifying Richmond Homes
- Richmond’s recognition at the League of Cities
- The Rail-volution National Conference promoting well-connected communities
- The Richmond Climate Action Plan (CAP)
- Racial Equity Action Plan development
- The Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show 2016, returning this year to the Craneway Pavilion
- Mayor’s Community Fund: Raised $16,000 in grants for youth sports and programs
- City-wide National Night Out
- Love Your Block
- Richmond Tool Library (part of Love your Block program)