Economic Development
The Economic Development Division is a new addition to the Community Development Department, established in FY 2021/22. Its primary role is to collaborate with the City Manager Department to devise economic development strategies for the City. The division is also responsible for implementing these strategies.
Pinole is a hidden gem of a waterfront community with rolling hills, located in Contra Costa County.
Incorporated on June 25, 1903, Pinole has a rich history and a land area of more than five square miles. The city is bordered by Hercules to the north, San Pablo and Richmond to the south, and the unincorporated areas of Tara Hills and El Sobrante to the southeast and southwest of the city. Pinole has a mild climate with no real extremes-with an average low temperature of mid-40’s in the winter to mid-80’s in the summer.
Pinole presents a superb quality of life. Pinole has a population of nearly 20,000 and offers the feel of a small-town community. Pinole offers a daytime population of more than 15,000, along with easy access to a trade area population of nearly 190,000 within a 10-minute drive time and an Average Household Income of nearly $90,000.
Pinole is a shopper’s paradise, with over 50 major retailers and restaurants situated within Pinole shopping centers. The city is also home to a well-defined, historic downtown, and a range of residential neighborhoods. These neighborhoods transition from older single-family and mixed residential districts on a traditional street grid around the downtown, to more typically suburban neighborhoods arranged around cul-de-sacs and curvilinear residential streets. Higher density apartment townhome complexes, interspersed with commercial sites, are generally located along and near major arterials.
Whether you’re looking for a place to call home, set up shop, or just visiting, Pinole has something for everyone. With its beautiful bayfront location, rich history, and diverse range of shopping and dining options, Pinole is a city that you won’t want to miss.
In 2021 the City Council adopted the City’s first Economic Development Strategy, which is focused on four top goals:
- Expand economic opportunities for Pinole’s resident workforce
- Leverage the economic development potentials of Pinole’s historic downtown and waterfront areas
- Revitalize Pinole’s other commercial and industrial areas
- Strengthen the City’s fiscal position
The City of Pinole provides numerous business, retail, and commercial opportunities. It works closely with its businesses, developers, and other partners to ensure their success. The City is committed to supporting the growth of existing businesses in Pinole and attracting new opportunities that will contribute to the economic prosperity of the City and its residents.
The City of Pinole launched Pinole Perks, a digital gift card program to support our independent merchants and provide financial assistance to households while also keeping dollars local. Originally launched in June 2022 with a special promotion for consumers, Pinole Perks are purchasable through a centralized Pinole Perks community card website and redeemable at any participating small business in Pinole (check out all locations here). Learn more about the card, and consider purchasing one online today!
Finding Business Space
The City of Pinole offers companies of many sizes the opportunity to find their new home in Pinole. The City’s Three Corridor Specific Plan contains a map and detailed information on Opportunity Sites in the City (starting on page 16). For the most updated listings of space available please visit commercial brokerage sites.
Retail
The City of Pinole has several retail areas located throughout the community that attract both local and regional shoppers. The community has approximately 1.6 million square feet of retail development, with major retail centers including Pinole Vista, Pinole Valley, Pinole Vista Crossing, Pinole Gateway, Pinole Square and Del Monte Center. The City also offers a historic and quaint downtown with many turn-of-the-century buildings and numerous small businesses that make up the fabric of the community.
The City’s Economic Development Strategy conservatively projects a demand for an additional 92,500 square feet of retail space through 2027.
Industrial
At the northern portion of the City, Pinole offers an Office Industrial Mixed Use District which allows a wide range of office and light industrial development. This designation is intended for office and light industrial uses with supporting retail and service uses. The City’s Economic Development Strategy conservatively projects a demand for an additional 326,000 square feet of industrial space through 2027.
Office
Along the Appian Way Corridor and the Pinole Valley Corridor the City offers an Office Professional Mixed Use District, which allows development of larger office buildings and business parks with supporting retail and service uses. The predominant use is office, but commercial uses may be integrated into office buildings or located horizontally in freestanding buildings The City’s Economic Development Strategy conservatively projects a demand for an additional 196,000 square feet of office space (with medical office as a part of the total) through 2027.
