News/Blog

December 06, 2022

Public-private partnership focuses on a safer and cleaner Downtown

By Brittney Sherman

Downtown private property owners and the City of Morgan Hill have approved a public private partnership to form a Downtown Property Business Improvement District (PBID) with the goal of increasing safety, cleanliness, and beautification in the Downtown. This collaboration will result in a first-year budget of $249,356 of which sixty-percent has been earmarked to provide enhanced “clean and safe” efforts in the district.

The PBID boundary is comprised of 98 properties owned by 59 individual property owners, spanning parcels north of Dunne, east of Del Monte, south of Main, and west of Butterfield. The City and County are the largest commercial property owners in the district, with private property owners representing approximately (39) percent of all remaining parcels. The proposed assessment rate (cost to the parcel owner) is based on parcel type and square footage, and in some cases, linear frontage. The district will have a five (5) year lifespan beginning January 1, 2024.

There are over (100) established PBIDs throughout California, all designed to improve local public services, enhance economic growth, and increase services, such as security, maintenance, marketing and capital improvements, within a defined district.

Read the full article in the Morgan Hill Times HERE.

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

December 05, 2022

Morgan Hill start-up Sempera Organics has plans to grow

By Brittney Sherman

Sempera Organics is a start-up “functional mushroom” growing company that started in Morgan Hill two years ago. The company started by producing mushroom powder for pharmaceutical and medicinal uses. The product is created without the use of wood pallets or fertilizer, has a (3) year shelf life, and is shipped in 25-pound boxes to companies across the United States. Just last month, Sempera Organics broke into the meatless food production business with their mushroom-based product- MAMU. The product is already being used in high-end restaurants in Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Lodi. They expect to have the product featured on (5) other Bay Area Restaurants by the end of the year, including at our very own Craft Roots! The company is growing very quickly and is already considering expansion options in Morgan Hill. Learn more about Sempera Organics HERE.

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

December 01, 2022

California regains 101% of all jobs lost during the pandemic

By Brittney Sherman

In the month of October, that state of California not only recovered all 2,758,900 jobs lost during the pandemic, but they were also responsible for creating 20% of all new jobs across the Nation. When compared to the pre-pandemic job count, California now has 30,800 more jobs than it had in February 2020.

An estimated 6,800 new jobs with an average salary of $113,013 is projected to be the result of $123 million in tax credits and grants awarded through the Cal Competes Program. The state’s investment in cutting edge industries including electric vehicles, semiconductor and microchip manufacturing, and eco-friendly electricity is expected to bring $1.9 billion in new private investment over the next five years.

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

November 30, 2022

Morgan Hill's homeless count drops by 47%

By Brittney Sherman

Since 2017 Morgan Hill has helped (397) adults and (298) children find housing, effectively reducing the number of un-housed by 47 precent when compared to the 2019 homeless count. This drop signals the largest reduction in the number of unhoused experienced by any city in Santa Clara County. This change is not magic, it is the result of an intentional and focused effort led by the City’s Housing Development Team in conjunction with several faith-based centers, non-profits, and un-housed service providers. Morgan Hill is on track to meet its RENA numbers by the end of 2022, of which (554) rental units are designated affordable.

Read the full article in Morgan Hill Life HERE.

Have questions? Contact City of Morgan Hill Housing Director Rebecca Garcia at Rebecca.Garcia@morganhill.ca.gov

November 29, 2022

Giorgio's restaurant brand opens 4th location in Downtown Morgan Hill

By Brittney Sherman

Giorgio’s Italian Food and Pizzeria, the newest restaurant in Downtown Morgan Hill, will conduct it’s official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday December 7 at 2 p.m. With its prime location in the heart of Downtown, this 5,000 Square Foot restaurant with a 3,000 Square Foot patio featuring custom wrought iron floral fencing and a flair of Italy will satisfy the community’s desire for outdoor dining while strengthening Morgan Hill as a dining destination.

The restaurant’s location at 17390 Monterey Rd was previously owned by the former Redevelopment Agency and sold in 2017 as part of the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency’s assets. The site was purchased and renovated by Lone Star Development Owner, Steve Pace, with the intention of designing and building a high-quality artisan style facility, with the goal of attracting the finest long term restaurant occupant to Downtown Morgan Hill.

Established in 1959, Giorgio’s started with a family-owned and operated restaurant in Mountain View called Frankie, Johnnie, and Luigi! The first Giorgio’s location was opened in San Jose, followed by a second location in Milpitas in 1997. Morgan Hill marks the 4th location for the Giorgio’s brand. “We are excited and honored to continue the Giorgio’s legacy in Morgan Hill, a City with a tight-knit community, bustling downtown, and thriving food scene,” said Mike D’Ambrosio, part of the family ownership group. “Our Opening Day is here, so come and enjoy- Mangia!”

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

November 28, 2022

Downtown boutique hotel receives 5th floor approval

By Brittney Sherman

On November 16, the MoHi Hotel and Marketplace received approval for a partial fifth floor and (13) additional rooms, two key components for the owner to secure the necessary financing to resume construction. Since the project was originally presented in 2015, the valuation has more than doubled, resulting in the owner’s inability to continue privately financing the project. Securing this approval and funding is projected to get the hotel “to occupancy” by December 31, 2025. 

Frank Leal purchased both the Granada Theater and Downtown Mall properties in 2015, as part of the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency and associated City-owned property. His intention was to renovate and reopen the Granada Theater and construct a 60-room full-service boutique hotel and market hall. The Granada Theater was re-stored in 2016 and has since operated as an entertainment venue. Construction on the hotel began in 2017 however ceased in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent challenges.

Although construction came to a standstill, the 2-story structure was far from abandoned. From the shell of the defunct hotel arose a wildly popular dining concept called Mohi Social. Referenced as one of the “Top (9) Fresh Air Finds” for outdoor dining by the Mercury News, the construction shell was transformed into a bustling outdoor dining restaurant offering upscale cuisine and elaborate cocktails. As construction on the hotel resumes, restaurant patrons can continue enjoying Leal’s dining offerings at the soon-to-open MOHI Farms, located just down the road at 90 E 3rd Street.

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