The 2025 Buy Local Holiday Passport is here! This season, every purchase at participating Morgan Hill businesses earns you a sticker for your passport—and every sticker is a raffle entry for exciting prizes. Pick up a passport at any participating business, Chamber of Commerce, or City Hall. Then shop local, collect stickers, and turn it in by December 31 at 11:59 PM for your chance to win. The more you shop, the more stickers you have, thus chances to win, all while supporting local jobs, small businesses, and the community that makes Morgan Hill special. Shop local, Dine local, and win BIG this holiday season!
The City of Morgan Hill proudly celebrated the graduation of the first Business Support Services Program cohort, featuring 20 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The class was made up primarily of Spanish-speaking South County residents, half of whom were women, representing a range of industries from construction and cosmetology to retail and food services. Over 80 guests attended the October 2 ceremony at the Community and Cultural Center, including Mayor Mark Turner and Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. From May through September, participants completed a 10-week business intensive program, with weekly classes hosted at the Morgan Hill Adult School and monthly online workshops. Childcare was provided through the Adult School, and the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill sponsored meals for each session.
The program, facilitated by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in partnership with the City, achieved one of the lowest attrition rates the organization has seen—reflecting both participant dedication and the strong demand for business education in South County. Beyond the classroom, the Business Support Services Program continues to offer free workshops and one-on-one consulting to all local businesses and startups. The next English and Spanish cohorts begin in January 2026, with ongoing workshops and advising sessions available year-round. Entrepreneurs interested in participating can learn more or register at www.choosemorganhill.com/elevate.
The 2025–2026 Santa Clara County Assessor’s Annual Report provides an overview of how property values and local economic activity shaped the county’s property tax base. The total net assessed value of all taxable property reached a record $725.7 billion, a 4.15% increase over the prior year, though the slowest growth rate in a decade. The report highlights the continued strength of the residential real estate market and a notable slowdown in commercial property recovery. Residential properties accounted for most of the growth in both ownership changes and new construction with major contributions from multifamily housing, while commercial and office properties saw rising vacancy rates and declines in value.
The report also marks a leadership transition, with Greg Monteverde succeeding longtime Assessor Lawrence E. Stone. Monteverde highlights ongoing efforts to modernize operations and maintain transparency. Despite slower growth, the office upheld over 90% customer satisfaction and continues ensuring fair, accurate assessments that fund essential local services.
This initiative, a key pillar of the Manufacture Morgan Hill Campaign, provided students enrolled in vocational and engineering programs from Morgan Hill Unified School District and Oakwood School with firsthand exposure to real-world manufacturing environments. The goal is to inspire students to pursue technical careers and cultivate a skilled, local workforce for the industry’s future. The program was executed through a dynamic collaboration between the City’s Economic Development Department, the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, and the local schools.
“Manufacturing accounts for approximately 20% of all jobs in the City,” said Matt Mahood, Economic Development Director. “These tours are vital for showcasing this important industry, providing high school students an opportunity to envision a potential career path, and allowing employers to directly inspire the next generation.”
Featured Manufacturer Tours
This year, five established local companies welcomed participating students for private tours:
Toray Advanced Composites: A subsidiary of Toray Industries, this company is a leader in high-performance materials for the aerospace, space exploration, and automotive sectors.
PDV MedTech: A medical technology company specializing in precision device development, from concept design to high-volume commercial production for the healthcare industry.
Pinnacle Exhibits: A design and fabrication company that creates custom trade show exhibits and experiential marketing environments for global brands.
Bruce’s Custom Covers: Specializes in high-quality protective covers for aircraft, vehicles, and equipment, trusted by aviation professionals worldwide.
Creative Manufacturing Solutions: A precision sheet metal fabrication company that designs, fabricates, and assembles a wide variety of products for leading high-tech companies.
Dr. Carmen Garcia, Morgan Hill Unified Superintendent, emphasized the educational value: “Our growing partnerships with the City, Chamber, and local industry have been key in the expansion of our 32 Career Technical Education pathways and increase in program participation. These work-based learning opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience and earn industry-standard certifications they can use immediately in the workplace.”
Nick Gaich, President & CEO of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, added, “The Chamber is thrilled to co-host these student tours in celebration of National Manufacturing Week. With the incredible support of our manufacturing partners, our high school students receive a glimpse of state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing technology, directly inspiring the next generation of engineers and technicians.”
About Morgan Hill Industrial Development
Morgan Hill is South Silicon Valley’s manufacturing hub, featuring 8.2 million square feet of industrial space. The City’s economic vitality is deeply rooted in its thriving manufacturing community. In the last three years alone, Morgan Hill has completed construction on nearly 1.5 million square feet of new industrial product, including the Shoe Palace/JD Sports Headquarters and major developments like Butterfield 5 Tech Park and Cochrane Technology Center.
The Manufacture Morgan Hill Campaign was launched by the City’s Economic Development Department to demonstrate that Morgan Hill is the ideal destination for businesses seeking growth, manufacturers looking to expand, and talented professionals eager to make a difference. To learn more, visit www.choosemorganhill.com/manufacture-morgan-hill.
Morgan Hill’s second quarter 2025 sales tax revenue grew (5.8) percent over the same quarter in 2024, largely attributed to general consumer goods and county/state pool groups. The largest gains year over year were seen in the fuel/service stations and restaurant/hotel groups thanks to the return of travel and office work. Sales tax receipts rose this quarter statewide after multiple quarters of decline. Restaurants continuing to grow demonstrates desire to eat out and increased online sales indicates ability and willingness to spend.
San José State University and the Morgan Hill Unified School District have launched Guaranteed Pathway, a new program ensuring CSU-eligible MHUSD graduates gain admission to SJSU starting in fall 2026. Announced September 25 at Live Oak High School, the initiative strengthens college and career readiness while expanding dual enrollment opportunities.
Through this partnership, students can earn college credit in high school, reducing future costs and course loads. By simplifying admissions and improving academic preparedness, Guaranteed Pathway lowers barriers and creates clearer pathways to higher education for local students and families.
