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The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) announced the release of a 2009 economic impact report regarding the East Bay Zoological Society/Oakland Zoo. The report examines the economic and cultural impacts of the Oakland Zoo within Alameda County during 2009.
The report was developed to create a greater understanding of the Oakland Zoo’s impacts within Alameda County and the Bay Area by quantifying and clarifying the role the Zoo plays in the economies of the City of Oakland and Alameda County; the anticipated economic impacts of future Zoo development, namely, the proposed Veterinary Medical Hospital and California! Exhibit; and the role educational programs and volunteerism at the Zoo play in city and county cultural activities.
“While the cultural benefits of the Oakland Zoo long have been widely recognized and accepted as significant to the entire region, the economic impacts are often underestimated, ” noted East Bay EDA board president, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson. “This report demonstrate
s that the Oakland Zoo’s economic impacts are as significant as investments in the private sector, which helps promote our economic development goal of creating a ‘world recognized location to grow business, attract capital and create quality jobs.’”
Today, the Oakland Zoo is poised to break new ground in conservation and education with its over 20 acre California! Exhibit project. The project redefines the Oakland Zoo as a wildlife park with statewide significance and increases its capacity to reach audiences with new and enhanced education, conservation and public programming. In addition, the Zoo’s improvements will include a Veterinary Medical Hospital and a roughly 40acre ecological recovery zone. The combined construction expenditures will directly contribute $72 million and will generate an additional $39 million in indirect spending to Alameda County.
“We are grateful to the East Bay EDA for measuring the Zoo’s ongoing impact to the local and regional economies, particularly as we assess how our proposed future growth will further benefit the East Bay and Northern California, ” said Dr. Joel Parrott, executive director, Oakland Zoo. “With strong support from the community, the Zoo will expand its footprint and continue to increase its ability to make significant economic and community contributions to the region.”
About the East Bay Economic Development Alliance
The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) is a public/private partnership serving the San Francisco East Bay (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) whose mission is to establish the East Bay as a world-recognized location to grow businesses, attract capital and create quality jobs.
About the Oakland Zoo
The award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 525-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks. For more information please visit our website at www.oaklandzoo.org.
