Economy

Women Build graduates its first all-female class in the construction trades

The majority of people in the room seemed to be women, and many wore proud smiles on their faces. They were attending the graduation ceremony of the first all-female Green Energy Training Services (GETS) pre-apprenticeship cohort held by Berkeley non-profit organization Rising Sun Energy Center, and the room at John F. Kennedy University’s Berkeley campus was buzzing with excitement. Dubbed “Women Build,” the program trains women for union jobs in construction and other skill-based industries traditionally employing men. It launched on March 16,…

National Park Service asks for input in designing the Richmond Wellness Trail

National Park Service (NPS) agents in the East Bay have been working with administrators from the city of Richmond and other community partners since last year to create a wellness trail for Richmond as part of their “Park Prescription Initiative.” Their hope is that constructing a wellness trail will revitalize a two-and-a-half mile stretch of primarily unkempt city streets into a walkable path, giving Richmond residents more options for healthy and safe outdoor enjoyment. The trail will incorporate bike lanes,…

Former Doctors Medical Center in contract to become hotel

The former Doctors Medical Center buildings in San Pablo are in contract to be sold to a boutique hotel operator based in Davis, California for $13.5 million. The board hopes that the money from the sale will help fill the district’s budget deficit and meet continuing financial obligations to former employees.

Locally Richmond: Fairy wing maker goes national

Locally Richmond is an occasional series of profiles that highlights the small businesses that contribute to making Richmond a unique community.  When does an artist know she has reached a milestone in her career? For Angela Jarman, she knew the minute her work was worn by models strutting down the catwalk of Victoria’s Secret fashion shows. Jarman makes fairy wings—small or big, as intricate or as simple as the client requests—and she is making a name for herself and her niche….

Tales of Two Cities #2: All about the Benjamins

Howdy Listeners, This week on Tales of Two Cities we take a look at four unique businesses and how they reflect what’s happening in Richmond and Oakland’s economies. From a legendary deli in the heart of Temescal on the brink of shutting down because of rising rents, to a local factory that hires an unexpected workforce; and from a man who depends on year-round love to sell his flowers, to a woman who makes fairy wings out of her house. Don’t…