In this eNewsletter, you will find information about key efforts that impact our business community, including:
· Sales tax revenues continue to rise, but experts predict slower growth
· Morgan Hill targets expanding retailers
· City leads Manufacturing Week
· Are you prepared for food recovery inspections?
· Book a ride anywhere in Morgan Hill for $2.50
· What you will see on the 2022 Local Election Ballot
· Makers Market drives Shop Local effort
· Ghouls and Goblins return to the Downtown
· Morgan Hill in the news
· Business Resources
Read the October 2022 eNewsletterHERE and reach out to the team if you have any questions or want to connect with us. Thank you for continuing to “Choose Morgan Hill.”
Have questions? Contact City of Morgan Hill Economic Development Director Matt Mahood at Matt.Mahood@morganhill.ca.gov
The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) organizes several retail conferences every year, in locations worldwide. The City’s Economic Development Team attended the most recent conference in San Diego this past September. Here are some high-level takeaways:
The concepts behind “right-sizing” and “de-malling” are leading the retail industry, and “outdoors everything” is being coined as an anchor of the 21st Century. Nationwide shopping centers are undergoing a revitalization, centering around housing, shopping, entertainment, and outdoor space. Developers are anchoring their sites with residential and backfilling with a mix of retail, grocery, entertainment, and even medical activations. Shopping Center Brokers and leasing agents are now taking an active role in the marketing and advertising of retailers, providing monthly marketing packets and social media services focused on engagement not followers.
Larger Anchor retailers are “right sizing” with discounted brands such as Saks off 5th Ave, Macy’s Backstage, Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21, etc. Several discount brands are aggressively expanding, including Grocery Outlet and Five-Below who is aiming to triple its footprint over the next 3 years. Restaurants and fast-food chains continue to stress the importance of drive-thru and designated delivery/pick-up access. Buffalo Wild Wings just launched their “mini-scape” which is a pick-up only location. If a fast-food restaurant’s model doesn’t currently include expedited services, it will very soon.
All in all, the various retailers and brokers we spoke with were amazed with Morgan Hill’s residential and industrial growth. To some, we were a market they hadn’t previously considered, and to others we were already a market they were actively planning to expand into.
Have questions? Contact City of Morgan Hill Economic Development Director Matt Mahood at Matt.Mahood@morganhill.ca.gov
In honor of Manufacturing Week, the City of Morgan Hill invites you to participate in a Manufacturing Roundtable featuring two panels with leading industry experts!
The first portion of the panel will consist of manufacturer executives who will discuss the industry's current environment, challenges, issues, opportunities, and future. The second portion of the panel will consist of service providers and subject matter experts who can offer counsel, advice, information, tools, and resources to manufacturers.
Visionary Michael Van Every sees opportunity in transit-oriented mixed-use developments — outside of San Jose’s downtown core. Van Every is the President and Managing Partner of Republic Urban Properties, who completed an 83-unit apartment mixed-use complex in Downtown Morgan Hill in 2020. He commended Morgan Hill’s Economic Development, Planning, and City Manager’s offices for their commitment and expediency to supporting the Sunsweet Project every step of the way. Van Every said Morgan Hill is prepped for additional compact development and he will be keeping an eye out for future development opportunities.
Each year, the Silicon Valley Business Journal presents its Structures Awards, honoring the best commercial real estate projects, deals, and people in the region. On Thursday, September 29, the Silicon Valley Business Journal awarded Morgan Hill’s Butterfield 5 Technology Park the 2022 Structures Award for best Industrial Project.
The Downtown District’s renaissance continues with the Groundbreaking of the Edes Building on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 11 a.m. Located at the southwest corner of Monterey Road and 2nd Street, the new art center will invigorate a central section in the Downtown District, merging art and community.
