Improving our community

By Sandre R. Swanson

Recreation and Economic Development Promoting Small Business Fruitvale Transit Village: Revitalizing Communities Through Housing

Sandré served as Chairman of the City of Alameda Golf Commission which manages Alameda's successful 45 hole golf complex. As a Commissioner he is leading the Commissions current planning effort for a new club house for the Alameda Golf Complex and is working on the long range planning for a hotel and sports complex at Alameda Point (former Navel Air Station). Sandré is committed to providing recreational activities for children and families.

Promoting Small Business

Sandré is the Founder and currently the Chairman of the East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission's Small Business Revolving Loan Fund, which provides business loans of up to $250,000 to businesses in Alameda County. The fund helps emerging companies in Alameda County that are having difficulty in receiving traditional financing from banks. The programs goal is to provide business gap financing for eligible small businesses to stimulate the local economy and to create jobs. The loan fund has been in operation for six years and Sandré credits the technical assistance that is provided to the businesses as the reason for its success.

Fruitvale Transit Village: Revitalizing Communities Through Housing

Sandré was proud to be part of Congresswoman Lee's team that secured millions of dollars for the Fruitvale Transit Village and helped the Unity Council reach its goals with this land mark development. Sandré said "This project represents a great development philosophy and shows what a broad-based partnership of public, private, and nonprofit organizations working together to revitalize a community using transit-oriented development can accomplish".