South San Francisco’s Launch Local! Program Receives 2026 Helen Putnam
Published on September 24, 2026
City recognized with Partners Award for Excellence in CIty-Business Relations; first Launch Local! Business, Six Cycles, to celebrate grand opening October 9
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., September 24, 2026 – The City of South San Francisco is proud to announce that its Launch Local! Program has been recognized with a 2026 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence – Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations by the League of California Cities (Cal Cities).
The Helen Putnam Award for Excellence, established in 1982, recognizes outstanding achievements by California cities and innovative programs that make unique contributions to residents and businesses. The award highlights programs that demonstrate effective local government and innovative solutions that can serve as examples for other communities.
The Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations recognizes cities for successful partnerships and collaboration with the business community, including efforts to address community needs, engage private-sector leaders, plan for community needs, and create a vibrant economic climate.
Launch Local! was created by the City’s Economic & Community Development Department to help activate vacant storefronts, support new businesses, and bring new energy to South San Francisco’s commercial corridors. Through the pilot program, the City offers selected businesses an opportunity to lease commercial space with reduced rent, tenant improvement assistance, and short-term leases, helping reduce some of the upfront costs associated with opening a new storefront.
The program was developed after City staff researched similar initiatives in other California communities and adapted those ideas to meet the needs of South San Francisco’s business community.
“Launch Local! reflects the City’s commitment to finding creative ways to support our local businesses and bring new energy to our commercial corridors,” says City Manager Laura Snideman. “We are proud to have the program recognized with a Helen Putnam Award and excited to see the program’s first business, Six Cycles, open its doors in South San Francisco. We look forward to building on what we’ve learned through the pilot and exploring opportunities to expand the program in the future.”
The City’s first Launch Local! business, Six Cycles, will celebrate their grand opening at 636 El Camino Real, Suite E on October 9, 2026. Owned by Chris Nguyen, Six Cycles was selected from eight applicants to become the inaugural Launch Local! business and will bring a new bicycle shop to South City. Additional details about the grand opening will be announced in the coming weeks.
The City is also looking toward the future of Launch Local!. City staff are currently developing a potential expansion of the program, which is anticipated to be presented to the City Council in the coming months for consideration. The potential expansion would build on lessons learned through the pilot program and explore additional opportunities to support businesses and activate commercial spaces throughout South San Francisco.
The League of California Cities, established in 1898, is a statewide association that advocates for California cities and provides education, training, and resources to city officials.
The City of South San Francisco will also celebrate the award locally with a presentation at the October 14, 2026 City Council meeting.
For more information about Launch Local!, visit https://www.ssfca.gov/SmallBizSupport.
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About the City of South San Francisco
The City of South San Francisco proudly remains The Industrial City, a reflection of its steel mill and ship building past, redefined to reflect the innovative, entrepreneurial, and industrious spirit which has made South San Francisco the Biotech Capital of the World, with 250 active biotech companies and growing. A vibrant community of 65,239 residents, South San Francisco enjoys a high quality of life with an extensive public parks system, active library and learning programming and a dynamic, engaged community making South San Francisco a great place to live, learn, work, and play.