Office of Economic Development

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses in Berkeley struggled to adapt to ever-changing regulations and customer influxes as they continued to seek external support. 

From event cancellations to local business closures, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on Berkeley’s economic makeup.

Residents of Berkeley passing through the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza on Monday might have heard loud noises played from loudspeakers at about 1:30 a.m.

The city of Berkeley released more than $1.7 million in grants Monday to local businesses and arts organizations that have been affected by the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Berkeley City Council members voted unanimously to pass four action items that provide direct response and relief for the local COVID-19, the new coronavirus, outbreak.

The city of Berkeley’s Telegraph district has recently experienced both an economic improvement and an increase in positive perception, according to a report from the city’s Office of Economic Development and an annual survey from the Telegraph Business Improvement District, or TBID.

Pending a vote at its Oct. 15 regular meeting, the Berkeley City Council will implement a preliminary batch of 15 smart kiosks on city sidewalks. 

The city of Berkeley will be hosting free manufacturing tours open to the public during Berkeley’s 2019 Manufacturing Week, which is set for Oct. 1-4.

Workers in 22 states and localities will be receiving larger paychecks after minimum wage hikes that went into effect Monday, including the city of Berkeley’s raise from $15 to $15.59 per hour, according to a press release from the Employment Policies Institute.

Overall retail usage in Berkeley’s commercial districts has declined from 44.8 percent to 39.4 percent in just three years, according to the city’s Office of Economic Development.