Goal 1 A Diversified and Robust Economy

Goal ED-1: Diversify the economic base of Hayward to support a robust and stable economy with a diverse range of employment, shopping, and cultural opportunities for local residents. 

Local economies that are dependent on a limited number of business sectors are generally vulnerable to fluctuating business cycles and economic downturns.  When business cycles enter a period of decline, communities suffer from lay-offs and decreased spending within the local economy.  This causes other supporting businesses to suffer, causing further economic decline, the loss of tax revenue, and decreased funding for important city services.  Communities that have a diversified economic base generally have a more stable economy that is less vulnerable to fluctuating business cycles and recessions.  A diversified economic base also creates a range of local jobs within a variety of different business sectors, which gives residents more opportunities to find new or better jobs.  This goal and its supporting policies strive to diversify and stabilize the local economy to increase the number of quality job opportunities for Hayward residents, and to improve access to local goods and service.

The City shall coordinate with other cities, counties, businesses, labor organizations, and other economic development and research organizations to help diversify and expand the economic base of the greater East Bay. 

City Services and Operations (CSO)Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall maintain and implement an Economic Development Strategic Plan that identifies short- and mid-term goals and strategies to diversify and expand the Hayward economy.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall encourage commercial and industrial development by ensuring the availability of suitable sites for development and providing appropriate zoning.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Public Information (PI)

The City shall establish business attraction efforts that focus on small and medium-sized businesses within emerging and growing business sectors.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall encourage the establishment and expansion of knowledge- and innovation-based industry clusters to increase the number of professional, scientific, and technical service jobs within the local economy, and to attract venture capital funding to Hayward.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall encourage the establishment and expansion of advanced and specialized manufacturing businesses to counter declining employment trends in traditional industrial manufacturing.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall encourage the establishment of a clean and green technology cluster to create a more sustainable industrial base.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall develop relationships, partnerships, and programs to promote international business and trade opportunities in Hayward.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)Public Information (PI)

The City shall encourage the development of specialty businesses that reflect the diverse ethnic and cultural groups of the Hayward community.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Public Information (PI)

The City shall promote key retail, office, and manufacturing opportunity sites, as identified in the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, General Plan, and other specific plans and master plans.

Public Information (PI)

The City shall encourage the establishment and expansion of commercial businesses that increase local spending within Hayward and provide needed goods and services to local residents and businesses.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall consider the integration of quality neighborhood commercial businesses and developments within residential areas to support the concept of “complete neighborhoods.”

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall encourage private-sector investment to physically upgrade existing regional shopping centers and to create new centers at key retail opportunity sites.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall encourage the development of a hospitality and entertainment business cluster within Downtown Hayward and other appropriate locations to improve opportunities for shopping, dining, arts and entertainment, lodging, business conventions, and cultural events.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall protect the viability of the Industrial Technology and Innovation Corridor as its main employment base by discouraging the intrusion of uses that would erode the integrity of the corridor and maintaining zoning for manufacturing; professional, scientific, and technical services; research and development; and supporting uses.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall develop, maintain, and implement strategies to facilitate economic investment by improving and promoting the Industrial Technology and Innovation Corridor.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall encourage and promote the development of airport-related businesses, such as flight schools, aircraft maintenance, and executive airline services, at Hayward Executive Airport.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Public Information (PI)

The City shall coordinate with businesses and business organizations to develop and/or expand business councils for local growing industries, such as a bioscience council, logistics council, and food manufacturing council.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall promote local hiring, including youth employment and paid internships, to increase community ownership and resident retention, help achieve a more positive jobs-housing balance, and reduce regional commuting, gas consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions

City Services and Operations (CSO)Public Information (PI)