Oakland Metropolitan

Chamber of
COMMERCE

Connect · Convene · Communicate · Lead

The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is the leading advocate for Oakland business. Through strategic advocacy, direct access to policymakers, cross-sector coalition building, and targeted investment in economic vitality, we strengthen Oakland’s entire business ecosystem. When you engage with the Chamber, you gain more than membership — you gain influence, access, alignment, and a unified voice backed by a partner committed to Oakland’s long-term success.

Driving Real Business Relief

We led the development of a dedicated business tax relief measure for the June 2026 ballot that includes:

A full Business License Tax (BLT) abatement program for qualifying small, medium, and large businesses, up to approx. 80 million in BLT, locating in Oakland beginning in 2027
Tax abatement for businesses with gross receipts up to $1 million annually, with set-aside funds secured in the 2025–27 approved budget

We don’t just advocate — we activate

Secured public safety funding and passage of Measure NN
Provide complimentary memberships for struggling small businesses – thanks to our partners at Kaiser Permanente
Deliver free booth space and marketing support to over 100+ small businesses to date
Successfully advocated before the Oakland Privacy Commission and City Council for responsible public safety technology deployment
Established direct engagement channels with City Hall and Mayor Barbara Lee

These efforts send a clear message: Oakland is open for business and committed to growth.

Downtown Is Oakland’s Economic Engine, And We’re Protecting It

Downtown represents more than 60% of Oakland’s workforce and generates the majority of the tax revenue that funds essential services, infrastructure, and neighborhood investment citywide. In early 2023, the Oakland Metro Chamber convened an unprecedented cross-sector coalition, corporations, nonprofits, real estate owners, and small businesses, to confront public safety challenges with coordinated, strategic action.

The results:

Secured $1M+ in public safety funding for downtown public safety technology enhancements
Helped launch the Downtown Corridor Safety Program — a first-of-its-kind, equity-centered initiative to close historic safety gaps
200+ new camera locations to a modernized, integrated public safety network
Standardized safety coordination across stakeholders
Achieved full policy approval through Chamber advocacy

More information on the Chamber’s Downtown Oakland Partnership can be found here.

Oakland Metro Chamber Events

Upcoming

Featuring

Mar 11

Evening Mixer With the Oakland Roots

more info

Noteworthy

2025 Pulse of Oakland Poll Results

The Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Voter Poll Event, unveiling the latest insights from Oakland voters on the city’s most pressing issues. Attendees received valuable data, expert analysis, and meaningful context around key topics such as public safety, housing, and the local business climate, providing a clear understanding of community priorities and perspectives. Click to see the results.

Oakland Metro Chamber’s Small Business Survey

The Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a comprehensive survey, receiving responses from over 130 small businesses citywide to gain a deeper understanding of their current realities, challenges, and goals. This information will continue to focus the Chamber’s advocacy, engagement, and resource strategies to strengthen Oakland’s diverse small-business ecosystem.