Berkeley Initiative Aims To Lure R&D Jobs

BERKELEY, CA — In a move that aims to bring coveted Research and Development jobs to this East Bay city, the Berkeley City Council earlier this week adopted a new law that modernizes how the industry is defined.

The move aims to make Berkeley competitive with neighboring municipalities as it looks to boost tax revenues.

“From the University to the National Laboratory to pharma and technology companies, Berkeley has been at the forefront of innovation in science and technology,” Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín said in a statement.

“The type of development we allow and where needs to account for these uses if we want to continue to be a hub of innovation.”

City officials said the new law reflects changes in an industry that has evolved since its definition of research and development since Berkeley last defined the industry 2011.

More than 400 “innovation sector” businesses currently operate out of Berkeley, city officials said.

“Modern day R&D is more than a lab space – many require office space to conduct their activities. Often startups begin with research first and then transition to product fabrication and development,” city officials said in a statement.

“There is a need for greater flexibility in the zoning definition to reflect current economic conditions."

Berkeley startups in 2021 raised more than $1.4 billion through venture, angel-backed financing and convertible securities, city officials said, noting 10 city-based companies received nearly $9 million in federal and state grants for Research & Development (R&D).

More than a third (35 percent) of Berkeley innovation companies develop software and close to a third (31 percent) develop health-focused solutions through biotechnology & healthcare technologies.