San Leandro Expands Its Visibility as a Regional Innovation Hub

San Leandro’s reputation as a center for next‑generation industry continues to accelerate, driven by strategic City initiatives and strong partnerships with regional leaders, innovators, and manufacturers. Through events, planning efforts, and targeted business support, the City is working to elevate its profile among developers and technology-driven companies looking to grow in the Bay Area to support new well-paying jobs, additional community vitality, and additional revenue for services in San Leandro.

Showcasing Regional Leadership Along I‑880

San Leandro was prominently represented at the San Francisco Business Times’ inaugural “Corridors: The Opportunity Along I‑880” event on April 2, 2026. City Manager Janelle Cameron, Mayor Juan González, Community Development leadership, and the Economic Development Team joined civic and industry leaders for conversations on workforce development, supply chain challenges, and infrastructure needs in the evolving industrial landscape.

A highlight for San Leandro was the participation of Coreshell’s Director of Operations, Cicely Li, on the industrial panel.

As a recent winner of the Startup World Cup and a 2025 East Bay Innovation Awardee, Coreshell reflects the cutting-edge cleantech companies growing locally—supported by the City’s targeted approach to business retention and advanced manufacturing development.

Celebrating Innovation at the 2026 East Bay Innovation Awards

The region’s momentum was also highlighted when two San Leandro-based companies—B3 Investors and Fuse Energy Technologies—were honored at the 2026 East Bay Innovation Awards. Their achievements underscore the strength of the City’s innovation ecosystem, from transformative redevelopment projects to groundbreaking clean‑energy technologies.

A Strategic Roadmap: The Innovation Action Plan

These successes build on the City Council–approved 2024 Economic Development Strategy and the City’s Innovation Action Plan, completed in 2025. The Plan identifies San Leandro’s competitive advantages and outlines key steps to grow high‑value sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean tech, and food technology.

The Plan calls for:

• Proactive business retention and attraction
• Streamlined permitting and improved industrial zoning
• Assistance accessing state and federal grants
• Stronger partnerships in workforce development
• Ensuring companies have the infrastructure—especially power capacity—needed to scale

With 27 opportunity sites, strong connectivity, and a legacy of industrial expertise, San Leandro is well-positioned for the next cycle of industrial growth.

Looking Ahead: Supporting Manufacturers at AMBayArea Summit

On May 21, San Leandro will continue its engagement with regional manufacturing leadership at the 2026 AMBayArea Summit, where the City will moderate a panel highlighting the wide range of programs that support the growth of manufacturers. This outreach will further reinforce San Leandro’s recognition as a community committed to helping businesses grow, hire, and innovate locally.

This work, together with other aspects of the Economic Development Strategy, will help San Leandro achieve its vision as an attractive, vibrant, sustainable, and economically resilient city by supporting creation of new jobs, continued private investment in San Leandro, and quality public services through revenue generation.