OCC Means Business!

Since its inception in 1989, the Oakland Commerce Corporation (OCC) has been working to retain and expand business and jobs in Oakland under contract with the City’s Community & Economic Development Agency,  through generous corporate contributions from donors such as Citibank, Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo Bank.
 

Express Business Services
Helping businesses do business is our primary responsibility.  Our core service is providing one-on-one assistance to companies by, for example:
• guiding businesses through governmental bureaucracy
• helping businesses through the expansion process
• creating added value through business sectors initiatives
• responding to everyday business concerns
 
Annual Business Survey
To accomplish our work, OCC conducts an annual business survey of 3,000 companies doing business in Oakland.  We query them on their experiences, concerns and plans about doing business in Oakland – employment to financing, security & safety, business expansion, and regulatory issues.  The responses serve to guide our work.

BusinessAlert Program
The goal of our BusinessAlert program is to further support our business expansion efforts by creating and maintaining a safe business environment.  Participating businesses in specific geographic areas work in partnership with OCC and the Oakland Police Department (OPD) to address issues of safety and security.  The success of BusinessAlert is demonstrated by the enhanced security of an area with almost 200 businesses organizing, working together and creating partnerships with OPD and the local community.  Through these partnerships, an Enhanced Patrol program was established that provides night and weekend patrol service to over 800 businesses in the Coliseum area.  The program’s monthly newsletter, BusinessAlert, provides the latest information on safety & security issues, and  OCC and OPD efforts to address these issues.

Business Partners Program
This unique and innovative aspect of our business retention program is instrumental to the success of our work.  Our Business Partners, comprised of over 50 volunteers from the local business community, and city and county staff, conduct site visits to local firms and develop an ongoing relationship with companies and learn about and respond to immediate and long-term company issues.

Establishing Connections
Informing businesses about the latest developments is important to Oakland’s growth and the retention of its firms.  OCC’s newsletter, OCC Connects, contains useful information on the latest issues affecting local business:
• new development activities
• company profiles
• redevelopment initiatives
• changes and trends in the business community
• work with other business organizations
• OCC’s work and accomplishments

Meet OCC's Board of Directors and Staff!

“Business retention, and fostering the expansion
of existing businesses, is the foundation of any
sound economic development program.”
- International Economic Development Council