New countywide business advocacy group forms

“Some of the traditional organizations have become less active, and we really want to make sure that in tough times, there are strong organizations there advocating for our local businesses,” Leung said. “Our goal here is to reinvigorate how businesses support each other, and how we can, as a community, support business.” 

The group aims to hold business networking events for members and prospective members every six to eight weeks, Peninsula Economic Alliance treasurer and Millbrae resident Marian Kong said. 

“We welcome all kinds of members, from small mom-and-pop shops to real estate firms, tech startups, financial institutions,” Leung said. “If you’re passionate about contributing to a stronger Peninsula economy and want to be part of a forward-looking business network, then that’s what we’re here for.” 

In partnership with other local community organizations, the Peninsula Economic Alliance is also hosting monthly first Friday night markets in Millbrae. 

Designed to stimulate the local economy and put on in partnership with the Gateway at Millbrae, the night markets have featured a rotating variety of food vendors, music, community gathering as well as a movie night and run from around 4-10 p.m. 

Kong said the pandemic-era struggles of local businesses, along with a conversation with leadership at the newly-built, mixed-use Gateway development, inspired the night market. 

“He said, ‘Marian, we’re so happy we have our development in Millbrae, but then we need to make this community a little more viable,’” she said. “Because actually, the goal here is not just Millbrae … and now we also talk about the entire Peninsula.’” 

Aside from putting on community-focused events, the Peninsula Economic Alliance is also focused on creating a space where local business owners can work together, identify common problems and brainstorm shared solutions. 

John Curtis, CEO of Bank of the Orient, recently joined the Millbrae Economic Alliance as a visionary sponsor. The group helped him extensively with a new building opening in Millbrae, he said, and will also be helping with the opening of a new office space in Burlingame. 

“The one thing that we really liked is, a lot of organizations, they only set up for one city,” he said. “But PEA goes all the way up and down the Peninsula. That’s one of our target market areas.” 

The group operates on a simple principle, Kong said. 

“Business is not limited to any city border or regional border,” she said. “You can do business with Korea, you can do business with England. You can do business just within Millbrae, or with San Bruno.”