For years, the East Bay Indicators report has been the only annual document to comprehensively examine the economic performance of the entire East Bay region.  This year’s report places special emphasis on the social, environmental and public health trends affecting the quality of life of East Bay residents, and as always provides the baseline and comparitive data necessary to guide business investment and management decisions.

Anne Wilson, CEO of the United Way of the Bay Area, joined Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor and Chair of the East Bay EDA, in presenting the 2007 East Bay Indicators report. 

These two organizations joined forces to co-author the report this year, but it would not have been possible without the financial support of: StopWaste.org, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Pacific Gas & Electric and the Port of Oakland.
 
Both East Bay EDA and United Way are committed to community education that helps businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and individuals  better understand and make a difference in the East Bay.  Our organizations share a common goal: progress toward a sustainable economy for all individuals, businesses and communities. 
 
Our organizations have worked together for many years to address the economic stability, health, and quality of life of the people of the East Bay.  We intend to partner more closely than ever in the year ahead to share insights from this report and other work. We also look forward to building upon the assets of both organizations to identify and address some of the challenges facing the East Bay.
 
Fundamentally speaking, the 2007 East Bay Indicators report is much the same as in previous years;  providing the baseline economic, social and environmental data necessary to track the progress of our region, and to identify areas for improvement.
 
However, this year we have employed a new design and layout to help our readers understand the ways in which these factors intersect, and affect, quality of life in the East Bay. This year’s report also includes new content.  We’ve built upon the indicators we’ve tracked for years to develop a fuller picture of the successes we’ve achieved and challenges we face.

The strength and capacity of the East Bay’s working families is one of the major pillars supporting the region’s economic growth. Through the union of East Bay EDA’s economic analysis and United Way of the Bay Area’s Data Central, we were able to compile a comprehensive set of indicators that reveal far more than just the economic progress of the East Bay.  This year’s report takes a closer look at the East Bay’s workers as well, moving beyond labor force numbers to also examine people’s  ability to achieve financial stability and the necessary supports – including child care, health care, housing, transportation, and others – that make work possible.

As the 2007 Indicators report shows, the East Bay’s economy continues to grow and diversify as new jobs  are created in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.   The recovering economy has meant success for a majority of families and increased per capita income, yet 1 in 4 families can’t make ends meet. We want to work together across sectors to develop work supports for those who need them, offer training and education to enable them to earn higher wages, and develop career ladders within industries that increase retention and enable people to achieve financial stability.

The aging of our workforce is both an opportunity and challenge.  We will need to replace the skilled, experienced workers leaving the workforce, while finding opportunities for those who wish to continue to contribute - be it in a new job, or through volunteer and other civic activities.

We also need to pay attention to our future – the next generation. The trends are mixed: many students are doing better with improved test scores and more and more East Bay high school graduates are prepared to enter community or four-year colleges.  But dropout rates are rising, and increasing numbers of English Learners need support to succeed and stay in school.
 
There is a reason the report was released at this meeting. Highlighting the incredible accomplishments of the businesses and organizations here today who work to meet goals to waste reduction and enhanced environmental sustainability is an illustration of the willingness of the people and businesses in this region to set common goals and work together to meet them.  This spirit of collaboration and commitment can be seen in all of the factors that affect quality of life in the East Bay: our people, our places and our businesses. 

This year’s report features a special section of data sets that can be used to indicate quality of life factors such as civic engagement, amenities, community growth, and disaster preparedness. 

The East Bay is a wonderful place to live and work. Downtowns are being revitalized, we have wonderful environmental resources, and much of our regions’ growth is now coming in the form of in-fill housing near transportation and the services and infrastructure necessary to support population growth. There are several challenges as well:

•        Crime has been on a downward trend but the East Bay is among the highest in the Bay Area and violent crime has increased in some neighborhoods.
•        High rates of volunteerism in the East Bay show a community that is willing to engage and give back.  However, volunteerism has declined slightly over the last three years. 
•        Finally, disaster preparedness is always an issue for the Bay Area, and one of the areas we are focusing on is increased preparedness for disaster response and recovery.   We are working with Bay Area organizations to develop continuity plans that will help people, businesses and the economy recover after the next disaster.

We face some challenges but there are many terrific opportunities to work together to develop cross-sector solutions that will enhance sustainability. We hope you will join us as we reach out together in the year ahead. 

On balance, the East Bay has a lot to celebrate and a strong foundation from which to build solutions for our challenges.
 
Over the course of the coming year, East Bay EDA and United Way of the Bay Area look forward to working with all of you here today as we work to support the economic vitality of our region, and to support the workforce behind it.
 
When we meet again next year to review and assess the East Bay‘s environmental, economic, and social progress - we look forward to celebrating our successes.

Many thanks to Anne Wilson, and everyone at the United Way who worked with East Bay EDA staff person, Stephanie Brown, to make this report possible. 

To view the East Bay Indicators 2007 report, click here.