OFFICERSchair of the board ERIC HOWARD • Bruce’s Tire, Inc.

Past chair KATHERINE FILICE • Articulate Solutions

chairman of the board-elect ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn

secretary/treasurer DAVID MATUSZAK, Ed.D. • Santa Clara County R.O.P.

Vc oPerations & deVeloPment JAN PEAT • McDonald’s of Gilroy

Vc Public affairs KRISTINA CHAVEZ WYATT • Farmhouse Communications

Vc business Programs & serVices DEBBI SANCHEZ • Fortino Winery

Vc marKeting & communications JULIE ALTER • Recology South Valley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BRIGITTE NICHOLLS • Santa Barbara Bank & Trust CHAR MARRAZZO • Ellington Financial LLC LISA CASSARA • Coldwell Banker GREGG GIUSIANA • Retired Police Chief GREG GALLUP • Cintas Corporation

CHAMBER STAFF Susan Valenta • President/CEO Michelle Garcia • Administrative Assistant Chris Bevilacqua • Administrative Assistant Rosie Vogel • Administrative Assistant Sue Thurman • Business Relationship Manager

WELCOME CENTER STAFF Jane Howard • Executive Director Pam Gimenez • Office Manager Tracy Romero • Retail Service Coordinator

edc staff Tammy Brownlow • President/CEO Candace Van Sanbeek, Administrative Assistant

focus Production staff EDITOR • Susan Valenta, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce

PRODUCTION & DESIGN • J. Chris Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications

PHOTOGRAPHY • Larry Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications

7471 Monterey Street • Gilroy, CA 95020 web: www.gilroy.org e-mail: chamber@gilroy.org phone: (408) 842-6437

Gilroy Chamber of Commerce

ERIC HOWARD 2012 Chair of the BoardGilroy Chamber ofCommerce

SUSAN VALENTA President/CEOGilroy Chamber ofCommerce

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Page 2 Gilroy Business Focus I November 2012

WE WRITE THIS COLUMN together this month, because there are so many common denominators in this message. Gilroy is in transition, and that is a sign of a healthy community and a willingness to have progressive individuals take leadership roles – whether it is at the dais of the Council, in Boardrooms of local agencies, on Task Forces, or the myriad of other committees and stakeholder discussions that continually take place – every level of the leadership continuum plays a part in the changing dynamics of Gilroy.

Soon, Gilroy voters will have decided on who will be their Mayor and Council for the next four years. We extend our congratulations both to those who have won these coveted seats and also every single candidate who was willing to put in the long hours to campaign, meet constituents, and develop campaign funding. GilPAC, the political action arm of the Chamber, vetted candidates that would best serve the economic vitality of Gilroy. The messaging through direct-mailed postcards, signs, ads placed in the Dispatch, and social media efforts were underwritten by voluntary contributions of approximately $12,000, and those contributions became independent expenditures to ensure that the Fair Practices Political Commission (FPPC) rules were, explicitly followed. Every candidates individual campaign that was conducted in Gilroy followed the same rules to ensure the integrity of the election process.

The real work will begin as soon as the new Council is in place. For GilPAC and for the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce we will continue to be at the table – being on the menu will never be an option.

The Gilroy Business Focus is a good barometer of the local economy as we report out monthly

Reflections of a community in transitionupdates on economic and business development activities. The Gilroy Welcome Center reports a successful first year at the Gilroy Premium Outlets location with over 35,000 visitors coming in to their facility. The strategy of helping visitors navigate the community through wayfinding signage, rack cards, guides, and personal assistance by their staff and volunteers, helps bring the 1 million+ Outlet shoppers to area restaurants, hotels, stores, and services. In looking at the tax capture rate for Gilroy and the growth in Transit Occupancy Taxes, these two indicators demonstrate that these efforts are paying off.

For the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation, the barometer is going in a positive direction over the past year. Gilroy has landed a number of businesses that are providing jobs and creating new investments: Silva Sausage, Harbor Freight, Syngenta, Monterey Bay Mushroom, near 100% capacity at the Gilroy Premium Outlets, expansion of the Pacific Coast Recycling Center, and Tesla electric charging stations, are just a few of the wins. A drive through the Obata and Forest Street business parks is testament to Gilroy’s business growth.

Leadership Gilroy completed another successful year with 16 graduates going through the program. A component of the program provides personal and professional development, a skill that directly benefits business. Denise Martin, owner of Bridgelite Consulting Services, returns again this year as the facilitator for the nine-month program. She has combined coaching and leadership develop-ment through her work with Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, and Leadership Gilroy is fortunate to have this level of expertise as the program grows to over 280 graduates. This

skills training is one more reason why Gilroy has such a high level of involvement – many of those people serving in leadership roles are graduates!

The Gilroy Downtown Business Association can also tout a highly successful year with a new location at IOOF and Monterey Street, the hiring of a downtown coordinator, Melanie Corona, and exciting new looks with hanging flowers, piped in music, a farmers market, an ordinance for property owners to keep vacant buildings looking presentable, successful car shows, wine strolls, and holiday events, just to name a few accomplishments. New business developments include the re-opening of Old City Hall, and the re-location of Amoretto Boutique. In the horizon are new coffee shops, confections and bakery goods, a wine bar and deli – adding nicely to the Gilroy Arts Center, Limelight Theater, and the thriving businesses that have made downtown their home for many years.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce looks at all the accomplishments in Gilroy full knowing that it takes the collaborative efforts of everyone and the political will to make things happen. We believe strongly that Gilroy’s success will keep building – and we believe that the best place to be is at the table.

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