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News and thoughts from our staff

 
San Jose transit agency mulls over regional sales tax

San Jose transit agency mulls over regional sales tax

By Brittney Sherman

At a VTA board meeting on Thursday May 1st, confusion and disagreement stalled any decision on whether to support a regional or county-specific approach to a proposed transit tax under Senate Bill 63. The bill, introduced by state Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguin, would allow transit agencies or voters to propose a sales tax for the November 2026 ballot to fund Bay Area transit systems. While the bill currently lists four transit agencies as potential beneficiaries, VTA is not among them.

The board heard a presentation on the bill but was caught off guard when VTA management unexpectedly asked for a formal stance via letter to the bill’s authors during the meeting—despite the item being presented as informational only. San Jose Mayor and VTA Vice Chair Matt Mahan advised against rushing a decision, cautioning the board not to give up negotiating power too soon. Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas expressed concern over the lack of transparency and short notice.

Read more HERE!

 
Caltrain ridership gets big uptick since electric trains introduced

Caltrain ridership gets big uptick since electric trains introduced

By Brittney Sherman

Caltrain’s new electric trains are bringing riders back, reversing the pandemic-era decline in commuters. UCSF researcher Ruchi Malik, who previously reduced her trips due to safety concerns and remote work, now rides more frequently, citing improved reliability and on-time performance. Since launching fully electric service between San Francisco and San Jose in September, Caltrain has seen a 41% increase in ridership compared to the same period in 2023—rising from 416,000 to 588,000 riders in the first three months. Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said the modern, efficient service is attracting those tired of highway gridlock and showcasing “the future of travel.”

Read more HERE!

 
Group led by Shoe Palace CEO buys big South Bay advanced tech building

Group led by Shoe Palace CEO buys big South Bay advanced tech building

By Brittney Sherman

A large advanced manufacturing facility in Morgan Hill was purchased for $22 million—more than 50% below its 2022 price—by a group led by Shoe Palace CEO George Mersho. The property at 755 Jarvis Avenue was previously owned by a Westbrook Partners affiliate. CBRE brokers Chip Sutherland and Brian Matteoni arranged the deal, part of a broader trend of discounted commercial property sales in the Bay Area.

Read more HERE

 

City of Morgan Hill Contracts with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to Provide Business Support Services

By Brittney Sherman

The City of Morgan Hill launches business support services to Morgan Hill entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Through a partnership with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and the Morgan Hill Unified School District, emerging and established entrepreneurs will receive expert advice, hands-on training, and continuous guidance to help them develop, launch, and grow their ventures. By participating in a combination of tailored mentoring and practical workshops offered in both English and Spanish, participants will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate today's ever-changing market dynamics

Sign-up HERE!

 
Consumers are favoring dollar store, ecommerce channels for snack purchases

Consumers are favoring dollar store, ecommerce channels for snack purchases

By Brittney Sherman

According to Circana’s latest Snack Unwrap report, nearly half (48.8%) of consumers now eat more than three snacks a day—up 2.7 percentage points from 2024. Protein remains a key factor, with over half of consumers seeking snacks that offer it. Although many categories like chocolate and chips have seen declines in unit sales, certain segments (e.g., dried meat snacks, nutritional bars, and frozen items) have grown, with yogurt seeing the biggest jump at 4.9%.

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