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News and thoughts from our staff

 
$4M grant awarded for Monterey Road improvements

$4M grant awarded for Monterey Road improvements

By Brittney Sherman

After a long and highly competitive process, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission awarded the City of Morgan Hill a nearly $4 million grant to improve Monterey Road. The grant is designed to support the resurfacing of the roadway, restriping of improved bicycle lanes, installation of missing sidewalks, upgrades to pedestrian ramps, and installation of new medians. The improvements aim to increase safety for all vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. 

The City of Morgan Hill has dedicated resources over the last several years to improving its roadways, resulting in a robust maintenance program and ongoing bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements. The City’s Vision Zero Policy is a core driver of these efforts. The City also continues to make distinguishable efforts in identifying and applying for competitive grants to ensure the residents benefit from Regional, State, and Federal transportation dollars. The improvements to Monterey Road are anticipated to begin in 2025. The City plans to establish and share a detailed schedule and list of impacts before construction commences. 

 
The rising trend of on-site daycare

The rising trend of on-site daycare

By Brittney Sherman

During the pandemic one-third of women left the workforce due to childcare challenges, and many have not yet returned. Providing on-site daycare has become the newest company benefit in an effort to entice workers back to the office. The Biden administration’s recent announcement requiring CHIPS Act funding recipients to provide access to high-quality and affordable childcare, is sparking a similar conversation in the private sector. Between April 2021- September 2022, the number of employers providing daycare services doubled when compared to pre-pandemic years. Companies now offering on-site childcare services are seeing an uptick in attraction and retention of employees, but state regulations and a six percent decrease in childcare workers pose challenges for many employers trying to implement the benefit.

 
Let's Go Panthers!

Let's Go Panthers!

By Brittney Sherman

Join the City of Morgan Hill in welcoming the new 2023 Bay Area Panthers team roster, coaches, dancers and front office staff! Food, live music, games, and prizes will be part of the celebration on Saturday, March 18th from 1-4 pm at the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater, see you there!

Learn more about the Bay Area Panthers HERE.

 
Startup applications have jumped steadily since 2020

Startup applications have jumped steadily since 2020

By Brittney Sherman

Approximately 430,000 new employer identification numbers were applied for nationwide during the month of February. The number of business startups jumped in 2020, as employees left larger companies to focus on the development of their own companies. The number of February nationwide startups grew 1.9 percent over last month, with Western states leading the application growth at 8 percent compared to January. The largest gains in startups can be seen in the healthcare, wholesale trade, and professional services sectors. Over the next 8 quarters, the Census Bureau projects another 4.2 percent increase in U.S. business formations.

 
Prepare, cook, and sell food from your private kitchen

Prepare, cook, and sell food from your private kitchen

By Brittney Sherman

In an effort to reduce the barrier to entry into the restaurant industry, Santa Clara County officially launched the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOS) program on Tuesday March 14. Small-scale home-based culinary operations can now submit applications to prepare, cook, and sell food out of a private kitchen. These “mini-restaurants” are offered reduced fees and reduced Health Department food facility standards, as a way to encourage minority growth in the food industry without incurring the overhead cost of a brick-n-mortar or food truck operation. MEKHOS operators are limited to producing 30-meals per day or 60-meals per week, employing one full-time employee besides family members, and generating maximum gross annual sales of $58,275.

To learn more and submit an application visit the MEKHOS website HERE.

 
February yields more than 300,000 new jobs

February yields more than 300,000 new jobs

By Brittney Sherman

The hospitality and leisure industry accounted for approximately 105,000 of the total 311,000 jobs added across the United States during the month of February. Food and drinking establishments led the February hospitality job growth, followed closely by the retail industry. Substantial pay raises for hourly construction workers helped boost the construction industry job creation with higher gains than most other sectors. While job creation grew during the month of February, so too did the unemployment rate by 0.2 percent. However, unemployment rates continue to remain close to the 50-year low despite continued inflation and economic uncertainty.

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