Get Involved in Local Economic Development Planning

These are tough times for many businesses, families and working people.

What can Alameda County government do to improve the local business climate -- or at least get out of the way of the private sector?

That will be the rough ground to be covered at a workshop to be held on Wednesday, March 6, from 6 pm to 8:15 pm at the Castro Valley Library at 3600 Norbridge Avenue.

The economic development workshop is part of the Eden Area Livability Initiative. The initiative invites residents from Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland and Cherryland to participate in a series of workshops to set priorities for what they want from county government.

For those with the time or interest to do some homework, a 2008 report on Eden Area covers everything from business to education, and from housing to health in these unincorporated areas of Alameda County.

There are obvious disparaties in wealth and income as the charts above show: Castro Valley is home to most of the businesses and highest value homes; Ashland and Cherryland are among the poorest communities in the county; San Lorenzo falls in between.

Become part of the planning process by attenting tonight's meeting. Or list your ideas in the comments section below.

Read other stories on the Eden Area Livability Initiative in the Patch archives.

What can Alameda County do to help the local economy? What should county government stop doing to make things better? Start a blog about the process or air your views on any topic. It's easy.