Economic Development


Economic Development Division


The Economic Development program works to:


  • Facilitate private investment by property owners, developers, and businesses, which will benefit the community through increased and diversified tax revenues, access to new local jobs, housing, and goods and services
  • Provide customer-friendly, responsive, efficient, and accurate services to developers and businesses
  • Use economic development tools to help attract, retain, and improve existing and new businesses, and fiscal conditions in El Cerrito
  • Improve the aesthetics of the commercial areas
  • Invest in public improvements to serve the community and encourage private investment
  • Develop affordable housing programs and projects throughout the community to address the great need for such housing
To learn more about why you should open a business in El Cerrito, visit  www.whyelcerrito.com.  

vision for san pablo avenue

The City Council adopted the 2014 San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan (Plan) to provide quality residential housing units and to support economic development along the Avenue. The Plan aims to support both residential and commercial uses as well as multi modal access through the Complete Streets chapter. As of February 2020, approximately 1150 new residential housing units, 124 new hotel rooms, and 29,000 square feet of new commercial space (representing 8-12 spaces for new businesses) have been approved on 17 sites. To view the development map, please click here. You can also access detailed project information by visiting: www.el-cerrito.org/majorprojects. If you are interested in learning more about the upcoming commercial spaces, contact Jennifer Bright.

In August and September 2020, the success of the City’s Specific Plan was featured in the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce Byline.

The Economic Development Committee is Recruiting!

The City's Economic Development Committee is looking for new members to help advise City Council on economic development matters, make recommendations on the annual economic development work plan, provide input to other city boards and commissions, review progress towards achieving long range economic development goals, encourage community involvement, and serve as a resource to residents, businesses and other community members.


The Economic Development Committee meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00p.m. in El Cerrito City Hall's Hillside (upstairs) Conference room. For more information, please visit the Economic Development Committee webpage.


To apply, please submit an application online.


Business Resources

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Please visit the links below to find resources for businesses and other services in Contra Costa County: