San Jose’s Office of Economic Development’s goal is to help companies, developers and brokers do business in the city efficiently and effectively, and connect them to fresh opportunities there. Its team can help you with basic zoning and development-process questions, assist in site selection and corporate recruitment, and connect you to city support and programs (including workforce development programs). The Business Outreach team also strives to keep in constant touch with businesses to stay abreast of what’s working and what needs to be addressed.

Here are some new resources that might be useful to you:

First, the economic development office has a growing roster of data-rich Google Maps, including existing zoning and the 2040 general planland-use designations. These might be especially for developers/brokers wanting to scope out various sites in the city. Retail folks might also be interested in the new traffic counts map at key SJ intersections.

There is also a new Open Data Portal that has some very interesting dynamic data on everything from recent planning permits to how many parking spots are available in downtown garages, updated every five minutes. Programmers can build the data directly into their apps, and can take it and run with it. If you’re an economics junkie, you might enjoy the new SJ Indicators page, which has some great stats (including historical) on jobs, talent, real estate and housing.

In October, the city launched a new program to speed the time to opening for restaurants in a collaboration with Santa Clara County. It can take the approval process down from months to weeks. This is crucial, especially as so much retail activity these days is food-based.

Check out the website, sjeconomy.com, where there is also a blog. Please consider signing up for the monthly newsletter and following the office on Twitter, @sjeconomy.

For more information:

Nathan Donato-Weinstein
Business Development Officer
Office of Economic Development
City of San José
408-535-8178
sjeconomy.com
@408nate