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ESTABLISH A BUSINESS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Economic Development Staff Roster

Redevelopment Staff Roster

Listed below are some of the more commonly asked questions we receive from entreprenuers and developers.
   
  I’m thinking of starting a business in Oakland. Who should I contact?
  Where should I locate my business?
  How can I find out what licenses and permits I need for my business?
  Will I need a business tax certificate from the City of Oakland?
  Who can help me recruit qualified employees?
  Who can I contact for business loans?
  How can I lower my State business taxes?
  Is there assistance to rehab or renovate my building?
  Can the City help me lower my energy costs?
  What does the Redevelopment Division do?
  What does it mean if my home or business is in a Redevelopment Area?
  Where can I find additional information on Redevelopment?
  Who can I contact with additional questions?
   
 
I’m thinking of starting a business in Oakland. Who should I contact?
 
If you need help starting or growing a small business, the One Stop Capital Shop offers low-cost business-related workshops every month, a multi-media business library, and counselors ready to assist you.
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Where should I locate my business?
 
The Business Development Office in the Community and Economic Development Agency can assist you in finding an appropriate location for your business operation in Oakland. Visit www.oaklandexplorer.com for an on-line search of available sites. When considering a business location, you should also consider zoning regulations. Contact the Zoning Division to obtain zoning clearance for your business location.
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How can I find out what licenses and permits I need for my business?
 
The Greater Oakland Permit Assistance Center will help determine which local, regional, state and federal licenses and permits you will need for your business operation.
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Will I need a business tax certificate from the City of Oakland?
 
Yes, all businesses, residential rental properties, and commercial properties in Oakland must obtain a business tax certificate. Contact the Business Tax Unit for detailed information and applications.
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Who can help me recruit qualified employees?
 
The Oakland Workforce Investment Board offers recruitment, screening, training and additional services.
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Who can I contact for business loans?
 
In addition to commercial lenders, the City of Oakland offers help in financing new or on-going business ventures, inventory purchasing, and commercial real estate acquisition or rehabilitation project. The Oakland Business Development Corporation offers loans in amounts up to $249,500.
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How can I lower my State business taxes?
 
Business located in the Oakland Enterprise Zone can take advantage of hiring and equipment tax credits and other tax benefits to lower their State business income tax.
Links to http://www.oaklandwib.org
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Is there assistance to rehab or renovate my building?
 
Yes. The Federal Historic Preservation program offers two investment tax credit programs for “substantial rehabilitation” of older commercial buildings – 20% for properties on the National Register of Historic Places and 10% for other pre-1936 buildings. The City of Oakland's Façade Improvement Program provides matching grants and design services for improvements to commercial building exteriors in targeted sections of downtown and neighborhood commercial districts.
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Can the City help me lower my energy costs?
 
Yes. The Sustainable Business Initiative can help businesses improve their environmental performance. Program staff has information on incentives for energy efficiency, waste reduction and green/recycling-based manufacturing.
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What does the Redevelopment Division do?
 
The Redevelopment Division plans and directs major redevelopment projects to improve economic conditions throughout the City of Oakland to reverse deteriorating trends, remedy blight, and create a new image for the City. Redevelopment projects can rehabilitate property, build new homes, create jobs, simulate private business & development, and stimulate new investment.
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What does it mean if my home or business is in a Redevelopment Area?
 
Please refer to the Citizen’s Guide to Redevelopment published by California Redevelopment Association.
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Where can I find additional information on Redevelopment?
 
The Business2Oakland website is an excellent source of redevelopment information specific to Oakland.  For Redevelopment information of a more general information, visit the California Redevelopment Association website.
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Who can I call with additional questions?
 

Need more information or have questions that are not answered by this web site? Assistance from our team of professionals is just a phone call or e-mail away.

For specific program contacts, please refer to the staff roster links at the top of this page.

Gregory Hunter ghunter@oaklandnet.com
Deputy Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment

Community and Economic Development Agency, City of Oakland

(510) 238-2992 or 1 (877) 2OAKLAND
250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313, Oakland, CA 94612

If you need assitance in a language other than English, please contact the Oaklanders Assistance Center at (510) 444-CITY.
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Thank you for visiting our Frequently Asked Questions page.  We encourage you to browse this website for additional information on building a business in Oakland.
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