SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

In the early days of Shelter in Place, we provided direct support through gift card giveaways. Through this effort, we supported numerous businesses by purchasing $50 gift cards and promoting them through our social media channels. The goal of the campaign was to provide awareness and support for local businesses within the district as they endeavored to stay afloat. Additionally, we worked in partnership with Oakland Cocktail Week and the Oakland Indie Alliance to support our struggling bar community by relaunching our AMP Oakland initiative to provide additional, virtual programming throughout the month of events.

Working in partnership with City of Oakland staff, business owners, and other district stakeholders, we secured Flex Street permits for three key blocks in our downtown, allowing for our struggling businesses to operate safely outdoors. This initiative is just another example of how our organizations are doing what Business Improvement Districts across the country are doing – rethinking how public space is allocated in the roads and sidewalks for street-level businesses, allowing us to recalibrate for the changing needs of our stakeholders, while also keeping people safe.