Green Economy

Target GE-T1

Increase number of businesses recognized through City, Chamber of Commerce, and community newsletters.

Baseline GE-B1

N/A.

Actions

• GE-1a Partner with the Chamber of Commerce to establish a local and tailored green business program that provides regulatory, incentive, and certification services for businesses through California Green Business Network. As part of the Program, coordinate with neighboring cities and partners to inform development of consistent sustainability practices for businesses. Offer free consulting, referrals to city rebate programs, networking opportunities, and marketing perks for participating businesses. Offer technical assistance and resources to help businesses participate. Monitor businesses served through the Green Business Program on an annual basis.

• GE-1b Reward businesses through the certification program for sustainable practices (e.g., plastic-free businesses) through tax incentives or other incentives, to further reduce plastic waste and plastic use in general; recognize businesses with innovative approaches for plastic use reductions that exceed local requirements, such as through the city's Business Spotlight.

• GE-1c Promote fairness in business activities citywide, including just practices for sourcing materials, and fair trade purchasing. Maintain list of fair-trade vendors.

• GE-1d Explore options with the Chamber of Commerce and San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) to incentivize reduced dependence on imported products, such as food, to strengthen local trades and businesses, and help reduce carbon emissions associated with travel imports.

Target GE-T2

Increase local business retention in Alhambra.

Baseline GE-B2

N/A.

Actions

• GE-2a Create more social gathering spaces (third spaces) near businesses to increase foot traffic and commercial interactions.

• GE-2b In partnership with the Chamber, local businesses and other nonprofit and public agencies, explore the barriers and opportunities for business retention in Alhambra, given concerns for high turnover rates.

• GE-2c Explore the feasibility of creating additional financial and regulatory incentives for small businesses, as well as facilitating access to existing grant opportunities and to technical resources, such as SBA loans.

• GE-2d Create a business façade improvement program, especially for businesses within the community's gateways and high-traffic areas.

• GE-2e Partner with the Chamber, local businesses and neighborhood associations to promote the city as a retail and food destination for the greater Los Angeles Area, in turn creating greater sale tax revenues to support other community priorities.

Target GE-T3

Maintain, and increase, high-quality jobs in Alhambra.

Baseline GE-B3

N/A.

Actions

• GE-3a Implement the Economic Development Action Plan. Leverage existing strengths in the retail, food service and health care sectors to attract development on key corridors and at key nodes with access to high-quality infrastructure and services.

• GE-3b Harness the success of existing businesses and work to attract more investment resources to create industry clusters. Keep track of EB-5 investment opportunities.

• GE-3c As part of the economic development plan and/or Green Business Program, encourage local hire in businesses and create a workforce development program in partnership with local colleges, industry organizations, workforce training organizations, K–12 schools, and other institutions to train and attract workers that would excel in high-value sectors, such as health and biotech. Ensure the workforce development program provides avenues for education, training, and incentives for community members to access and qualify for local jobs.

• GE-3d Engage high school students/youth for education around workforce opportunities and training programs, including partnerships with workforce development CBOs and incubator programs to provide real-world experience and mentorship.

• GE-3e Promote living-wage jobs, and support and recognize businesses through the Business Spotlight for providing high-quality jobs in addition to celebrating business sustainability initiatives.

• GE-3f Work with major employers and educational institutions to make Alhambra an attractive place for technology and other companies committed to sustainability and environmental resilience.

• GE-3g Guide investments to catalytic sites in Alhambra in key sectors, working with existing private sector leaders to promote the city. Maintain relationships with brokers that represent key employers.