Federal Funds Allocated to Nonprofits, City Projects

Earlier this year, the City Council allocated $14 million of the $27 million Concord received in one-time federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Although they had previously determined the spending categories for the funds, Council took official action to fund $7 million in grants to 22 local nonprofit organizations and $7 million in City projects and special events. Through a competitive grant process, the City received 70 eligible nonprofit applications, with a combined funding request of $34.4 million.

Last fall, the Council ad hoc committee consisting of then-Mayor Dominic Aliano and then-Vice Mayor Hoffmeister reviewed all applications, interviewed the applicants, and scored each based on a 100-point rubric, with 200 total points possible when scoring sheets were combined.

The 22 organizations selected for funding will receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $1.5 million; 80% will be distributed initially, with the remaining 20% at a later date. The funds must be spent by December 2024, and the City will require documentation and follow up to ensure the funds were spent as intended.

In addition to this funding, Council also allocated $6.5 million to City projects and $500,000 to special events. Some of the projects include:

• A “Welcome & Cleanliness” program to enhance safety and cleanliness in the downtown area and support economic development

• Enhancing the safety, security and cleanliness of City parking garages

• Upgrading security cameras and lighting at Recreation and Public Works facilities

• Piloting a Camp Concord summer camp experience for at-risk youth

• Roadway maintenance paving project at Meadow Lane & Market Street

Later this year, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce will allocate the second half of the $2 million of ARPA funds the Council set aside for small businesses through a reimbursement grant program. In addition, $3 million in ARPA dollars were set aside to fund activities that emerge from the ongoing Homeless Strategic Plan.

New Businesses Coming to Concord in 2023

The City is proud to welcome an array of new businesses in 2023. Family-oriented retail, industrial, and office uses all recognize that Concord is a place where commerce thrives. Here is a snapshot of what’s to come:

Concord continues to live up to the slogan, “Where families come first,” with two new family-oriented businesses slated to open: Rob Skate Academy will open an indoor skate park that will teach mindfulness to youth through skateboarding at the Sunvalley Shopping Center. The program is led by Rob Ferguson, an Olympic level trainer who works with top athletes from across the world.

Another business to get our youth moving, Urban Air Adventure Park will open an active play space that will include laser tag, warrior courses, climbing walls, and a zip line, in the former Fry’s Electronics building at Park N Shop.

Concord is also a place where production happens. In our industrial areas, we will soon welcome Bay Rubber Company, a contract manufacturer specializing in rubber and silicone parts, which will move its operations from Oakland to Bates Avenue.

An uplifting story of how a hobby can grow into a profitable business, Berk’s Beans Coffee Roasting is an artisan coffee roaster that began as a home-based business in Concord and will soon move into a production facility on Solano Way.

Also notable is that VinFast Electric Cars will open a showroom in The Veranda. The Vietnam-based electric vehicle company sells five luxury vehicle models and is poised to compete with Tesla. VinFast is expanding throughout California and has chosen Concord for its first store in Contra Costa County.

Lastly, Pet Food Express has moved its office headquarters from Oakland to Stanwell Drive. The company recognized that many of its employees already live in Contra Costa County or would enjoy a counter-commute from Alameda County or beyond.

For more information on local businesses, contact the Economic Development and Base Reuse Department at 925-671-3001.

Multitude of City Projects Set for Construction this Summer

For years, Concord residents have said roadway repairs are one of their most urgent City priorities. Thanks to funding from Measure V, Concord has dozens of projects in the works, and 14 will be under construction over the summer months.

Most of the projects include some kind of road paving (residential and arterial) as well as other improvements, including accessible sidewalks, and new fiber.

Measure V is the voter-approved, one-cent use and transaction tax that preserves core City services and generates about $30 million annually. The City leveraged this funding to make an immediate investment in its roads through a five-year pavement management plan, which began in July 2022.

This map shows where the work will be performed, including on many of Concord's major thoroughfares.

Many of these projects will require some lane or road closures and detours. City staff will share information about major closures through Nextdoor and/or its social media channels, so be sure to follow the City’s accounts.

You can get more information about each project and its timeline on our interactive Capital Improvement Projects map: cityofconcord.org/CIP

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve Concord’s roadways.

City of Concord Construction Plan Summer 2023

Monument Boulevard Class 1 Path

Downtown Corridors Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project

Willow Pass Road Repaving SR2T

Citywide Arterial and Collector Maintenance Project No. 2

Oak Grove Road Pavement RehabilitationPhase 3

Treat Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation

Meadow Lane/Market Street Paving

Citywide Pothole Base Repair Phase 2

Pavement Maintenance Manor Crest Village, portion of Concord Estates

Pavement Maintenance Phase A - Kirkwood Knolls

Pavement Maintenance Phase A- Bishop Estates and Crestwood

Pavement Maintenance Phase A – Ygnacio Wood

Pavement Maintenance Phase A – Cowell Park, Detroit Gardens, Concord Park

Pavement Maintenance Phase A - Park View Terrace, Almond and Bacon

Citywide Protected Left-Turn Phasing

Citywide Accessibility No. 9

Whitman Road Sanitary Sewer Improvements

Kirker Pass Road Sewer Repair

Citywide Traffic System Upgrade - Phase 1, 52 Intersections (Not pictured)