San Francisco, CA – Today, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) released its sixth annual report on the Mandatory Local Hiring Policy for Construction. The annual report, submitted to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, exhibits the outcomes and achievements of the local workforce initiative since its signing into law in 2011. The Local Hiring Policy for Construction was established to ensure contractors are employing local residents on public works projects.

“The Japantown Community Benefit District is an important milestone for the preservation and celebration of the Japanese American community in this City,” said Mayor Ed Lee.  “San Francisco’s Japantown is only one of three remaining in the country and the formation of this District will ensure that the area’s cultural and historical resources remains vibrant. The community deserves significant recognition for working to sustain their rich cultural heritage for generations to come.”

San Francisco, CA—Mayor Edwin M. Lee, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Northern California Community Loan Fund with key partners today announced $2.7 million in grant awards to 13 neighborhood-serving nonprofit facilities.

San Francisco, CA—Mayor Edwin M. Lee’s two-year budget proposal will feature a $1.2 billion investment in nonprofits, helping to ensure that these organizations continue delivering critical services to San Francisco’s most at-risk residents. That investment includes a program to help local nonprofits plan and pay for essential real estate and rental costs, as well an initiative to fund cost of doing business increases.

San Francisco, CA—The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) celebrated the achievements of 280 students that graduated as part of the City’s HealthCare Academy program. The Academy trains residents with coursework in various occupations in the Health Care industry including Personal Care Giver, Home Health Aide, Certified Nurse Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, and Medical Assistant.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA:  Today the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and nonprofit community lending partner Main Street Launch celebrated its 100^th loan since its debut in 2012. Through San Francisco’s Emerging Business Loan Fund (EBLF), the 100^th loan was made to OutCo, a San Francisco-based business offering coaching and educational services for software engineers.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee celebrated San Francisco Small Business week, the largest Small Business Week in the country, by recognizing six small businesses and entrepreneurs for their contributions to our City’s economic success.  Small Business Week (May 15^th – 20^th) features a full week of activities and workshops designed to provide San Francisco’s small business owners with a variety of support and resources to help them thrive and succeed. The week is celebrated with a weekend of sidewalk sales, which encourage residents to shop small and buy local.

San Francisco, CA -- Every day, more than 150,000 people visit San Francisco. As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, San Francisco and its hotels host nearly 6 million individuals each year. These visitors leave more than just their hearts in San Francisco. In addition to their economic infusion into the City, they also leave behind tons of trash.

San Francisco, CA—Today Mayor Edwin M. Lee, Supervisor Katy Tang, Supervisor Norman Yee, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) together with the community celebrated the grand opening of Noe Valley Bakery, a recipient of the OEWD’s Open in SF program (Small Business Acceleration Program). The pilot program is the first of its kind that provides direct services to entrepreneurs seeking to open small brick and mortar food-based businesses in San Francisco that guides them through the current complex permitting process.

San Francisco, CA— Today Mayor Edwin M. Lee, Supervisor Malia Cohen, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the community celebrated the completion of a new open space in the Showplace Square area called Daggett Plaza. Formerly an underutilized street, Daggett Plaza has been transformed into a vibrant community space, serving families and children in Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Mission Bay, and many other neighborhoods.