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Filtered by Category: economic development team

 
Morgan Hill Leadership visits Lusamerica Foods

Morgan Hill Leadership visits Lusamerica Foods

By Brittney Sherman

On November 28, members of the City of Morgan Hill’s Leadership Team visited Lusamerica Fish to learn about the company’s history, current operations, and take a walking tour of their processing facility for a first-hand look at how the company de-bones, fillets, and packages fresh and frozen seafood onsite. Lusamerica is proud of its commitment to quality and sustainable seafood, recently investing in a dock at Moss Landing Harbor in Monterey Bay to support California fishermen and the continued recovery of the local seafood economy.

Lusamerica was founded in 1975 by Fernando and Ana Frederico and is still family owned and operated to this day. Lusamerica is headquartered in Morgan Hill and employs 500+ employees across the West Coast. They carry over 100 different species of seafood which they distribute to grocery stores, restaurants, food service companies, hospitals, tech companies, retirement communities, entertainment studios and more. Thank you to founders Fernando and Ana for “Choosing Morgan Hill!”

Learn more about Lusamerica HERE.

 
Free family friendly fun in Downtown Morgan Hill

Free family friendly fun in Downtown Morgan Hill

By Brittney Sherman

During the months of August, September, and October, the City will provide FREE family friendly programming in the Downtown District. This series of events, called the 4th Saturday Downtown Street Series, was developed to make Downtown more accessible and inclusive, offer family-friendly events without impact to commuters, reinforce city branding, and support existing Downtown businesses.

These events will be held on the 4th Saturday of the following months: August 26, September 23, and October 28. Each event will vary in theme and programming in an effort to further enliven Downtown and encourage the entire Community to enjoy the open space and activations. The series of events will take place on Monterey Road between Main Avenue and 4th Street. To learn more, visit the website HERE.

 
January 2023 eNewsletter

January 2023 eNewsletter

By Brittney Sherman

In this eNewsletter, you will find information about key efforts that impact our business community, including:

-Third-quarter sales tax data remains positive

-(40) Significant projects currently in the pipeline

-Storm-impacted businesses could qualify for tax and loan relief

-Morgan Hill becomes home to the Bay Area Panthers

-What is the Chips and Science Act of 2022

-Nationwide holiday retail sales miss the mark

Read the January 2023 eNewsletter HERE 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

 
Students Get A Glimpse Into The World of Manufacturing

Students Get A Glimpse Into The World of Manufacturing

By Brittney Sherman

In honor of National Manufacturing Month, celebrated every year in October, the City of Morgan Hill Economic Development Team took (42) high school students on in-person tours at two local manufacturing facilities.

The first tour was hosted by SunBasket, a food prep and delivery company that prepares millions of meals per week for hungry customers around the West Coast. Students were amazed by the intricacies of the food preparation and preservation process, and the chilly 33 degree temperature of the refrigerated spaces.

The second tour was hosted by Creative Manufacturing Solutions (CMS), a privately owned sheet metal company specializing in CNC punching, laser cutting, forming, welding, and in-house powder coating. CMS was a familiar location for a handful of students who were partaking in their second tour of the facility and also for two students who were already enrolled in the company’s internship program. Questions about the machines and punching process poured from first-time students driven by an interest in machining and the trades.

The day was rounded out with an afternoon pizza party, and because it was organized during tradition school hours, a quiz with some good natured competition between Live Oak and Sobrato Students.

Have questions? Contact City of Morgan Hill Economic Development Director Matt Mahood at Matt.Mahood@morganhill.ca.gov

 
San Diego Retail Conference

San Diego Retail Conference

By Brittney Sherman

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

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