Gilroy Chamber Business Focus June 2023
June 26, 2023
Monterey Road Pavement Improvements Near the Luchessa Intersection
A Flexible Way to Get Incentives for Using Less Energy
Emergency Load Reduction Program
Join us to help prevent power outages this summer.
The Emergency Load Reduction Program is a five-year pilot program administered by PG&E that offers participants risk-free financial incentives to reduce energy usage during times of high grid stress and emergencies, with the goal of avoiding rotating outages while minimizing costs to customers. This program is unique in its voluntary nature as there are no penalties for non-performance.
Are you eligible?
Non-residential (commercial, industrial, agricultural, and small and medium business) individual PG&E bundled-service customers, Community Choice Aggregation Service customers, and Direct Access customers who meet the following criteria are eligible to enroll directly in the program:
- Able to reduce load by at least 1 kW during an event
- Not currently enrolled in any other demand response program with the exception of PG&E’s Base Interruptible Program
- May be enrolled in the Peak Day Pricing rate plan
Base Interruptible Program aggregators, Capacity Bidding Program aggregators, virtual power plant aggregators, vehicle-grid-integration aggregators, non-residential aggregators, and third-party demand response providers can enroll in the program. If you are enrolled with an aggregator or third-party demand response provider, please contact them for information about the program. Note that if you are enrolled in the Base Interruptible Program through an aggregator, your aggregator has the first option to enroll you in the program. If they choose not to enroll in the program, you may enroll directly.
Help for Small Businesses
Starting a new business is exciting and challenging. To help you through the process, we’ve outlined seven basic steps you should follow.
1. CONSTRUCT A BUSINESS PLAN
Planning and preparation will help reduce risks that are common to starting a new business. A business plan helps to evaluate your needs and also acts as a guide to map out the course of your business. For assistance with creating a successful business plan, visit the Small Business Administration.
2. CHECK ZONING RESTRICTIONS
Before establishing and finalizing any location plans or lease agreements, check with the Development Services Center to see if your location is zoned for your type of business and verify if any special permits are required. Contact the City of Gilroy Planning Department for any specific zoning questions. Just because a space is available, it DOES NOT mean your business is zoned for the area. Zoning codes can be updated, but it takes time. Here is why:
- City Council Initiation
- Study sessions or workshops if policy direction is needed.
- Public Outreach
- Planning Commission Hearing
- City Council Hearing and 2nd Reading
To learn more about the seven steps, go to our Small Business page. The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development is here to assist you with any questions you may have with starting your business here in Gilroy.
June 19, 2023
Proud Members of the Gilroy Chamber
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce appreciates the support of our members. We applaud each of you for helping make Gilroy a better place to live and work.
30 Years or More
Bottomley Distributing Co.
Frantoio Grove
Gilroy Police Officers Assoc.
Gilroy Veterinary Hospital
Glen Loma Group
Solis Winery
Syngenta Flowers
Trevis Berry Transportation
20 Years or More
Articulate Solutions
Kent Construction
Bruce Sarhaddi, DDS
10 Years or More
Gilroy Historical Society
Lazy Suzan Designs
South County Democratic Club
Wing Stop
Work2Future
5 Years or More
eXp Realty, Lisa Blagof
New Hope Community Church
Pacific Point Christian School
Pulmuone Foods USA
Sourcewise
Annual Garlic City Car Show Brings Thousands to Downtown Gilroy
The spirit of community is still alive and well in Gilroy, and it was showcased at Saturday’s Garlic City Car Show. The show featured over 200 classic cars, 40 vendors, and live music on 2 stages. The Chamber gave out over 60 awards, with a majority sponsored by local business owners.
The goal of the Garlic City Car Show is to promote local businesses and create a strong local economy. The chamber would like to thank the community members, downtown businesses, our many volunteers, and all of our sponsors who made this year’s show a success. Save the date! The next Garlic City Car Show will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors and Supporters:
T-Mobile
Star One Credit Union
Nissan of Gilroy
Pour Me TapRoom
The Joint Chiropractic
McDonalds
GB Landscaping Services
Gilroy Bowl
Rebekah Children’s Services
One Life Prints
Poki Bowl – Gilroy
Cresco Equipment Rentals
Cline Glass Contractors
Intempus Realty
Gina Lopez Agency – State Farm
Johnny’s Custom Auto Body
Bracco’s Towing
Heritage Bank of Commerce
Psycho Donuts
MG Constructors & Engineers
Bhandal Bros
Gilroy Intero
Gilroy Dispatch
Morgan Hill Times
San Benito Freelance
Recology Waste Zero
Gilroy Downtown Business Association
Visit Gilroy
E-Z Clean Car Wash
David Matzinger – State Farm Insurance Agency
Tempo Kitchen and Bar
South County Truck Works
We Need Your Help: Caltrain South County Survey
Take the survey and provide your input on a fourth daily round-trip train to Gilroy!
Caltrain is evaluating service changes between Gilroy and Tamien Stations and is looking for feedback about the train’s current schedule.
Caltrain’s current schedule includes three daily roundtrips that depart Gilroy at 5:54 AM, 6:31 AM, and 6:52 AM. The trains arrive back in Gilroy at 5:21 PM, 6:42 PM, and 7:19 PM in the evening. Caltrain is considering adjusting the departure and arrival times and adding a fourth daily roundtrip. Share your feedback on the train schedule and your preferred times for a new fourth daily roundtrip by taking the survey at www.caltrain.com/southcountysurvey.
June 12, 2023
Letter from Dr. Flores: Take Care and Next Steps
This is my last letter of the 2022-23 school year as well as my last letter as the proud Superintendent of the Gilroy Unified School District. I have been relishing these last end-of-year milestones as our students begin the next steps in their journeys, as am I. I want you to know that being Superintendent of this wonderful District is one of the great joys of my life. I have only wonderful memories of the 16 years I spent here; raising my son, who graduated from Gilroy High in 2017, and meeting so many incredible students, staff members, and families.
I am especially proud of the programs we have been able to bring to the students of GUSD to provide stellar academic and life-enriching opportunities to them. I am proud of the progress that has been made in improving our school sites, including the construction of Christopher High School, significant improvements to the Gilroy High campus, and a total rebuild of both Brownell and South Valley Middle Schools. And I will carry the heart of the Gilroy community with me forever. Your support of our district and schools is part of what makes Gilroy great, and you have done it in big and small ways. These contributions will be felt in GUSD for years to come, and I am so happy to have been a part of it.
As I take the stage at Christopher High School for my final graduation ceremony tonight, it will be a bittersweet feeling. I am thrilled for the Class of 2023, and I know our graduates are off to do great things in the world. I also know that I will miss these celebrations in years to come. Our graduations are a reassurance to me that we are sending incredible people off into the world, and the future is bright with all of their potential.
Congratulations to our graduates from our four high schools (Christopher, GECA, Gilroy, and Mt. Madonna High Schools), as well as our Adult Education program for completing their educational journeys in our District. It is time for you to start the next chapter of your life!
And kudos to fifth grade students who are moving to middle school and eighth grade students who are moving to high school next year. The first day of school is August 16, 2023, for all students in our District, except for GECA students who return to campus on August 9. The instructional calendar for the 2023-24 school year is posted online in English and Spanish.
As the door closes on this school year, and I complete the last two weeks as Superintendent of Gilroy Unified, please know that this is not good-bye to Gilroy from me. I plan to volunteer at some of my favorite District events, including Read Across America, Rock the Mock and the annual Run for Fitness event. I plan to remain physically active, and will continue to participate in activities with the Gilroy Rotary group that I have been a proud member of since 2007. My summer plans include backpacking in the Tetons, visiting Santa Barbara, and a trip to the East Coast with dear friends. I will miss our staff, students, and families most of all, but I am excited for my next adventure, and I am confident that GUSD is in good hands with the new Superintendent, Dr. Anisha Munshi. Thank you to all of you for your continued support and encouragement.
Take care of each other,
Dr. Deborah A. Flores, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Gilroy Unified School District
Are You Ready to Advance Your Career?
The City of Gilroy is currently in search for highly qualified candidates to fill positions in the areas of public safety, accounting, recreation, and human resources.
Don’t wait and Apply Today! www.CityofGilroy.org/jobs
Please keep in mind that closing dates to submit application varies by position.
Current Job Opportunities:
- Detention Services Officer – Open Until Filled
- Lateral Public Safety Communicator (911 Dispatcher) – Continuous
- Police Officer – All Levels (Lateral, Academy Graduate, Current Academy Cadet, Trainee) – Continous
- Senior HR Analyst or HR Analyst – application closes 6/30/23
- Public Safety Communicator Trainee – Continuous
- Part-Time Recreation Leader I/II/III- Continuous
- Part-Time Recreation Specialist- Continuous
A Modern Online Permit System is Coming to the City of Gilroy!
The Community Development Counter, Public Works Engineering Counter, and ALL PERMITTING SERVICES WILL BE CLOSED from June 12 through June 16, 2023, in preparation for the launch of our new Gilroy Online “GO Permit” system and community self-service portal.
System and data conversion will take place during this one-week period, and the new permit system and community self-service portal are anticipated to be available for public use on June 19, 2023.
The new portal will facilitate community access to:
- Apply for Building, Planning, Engineering Encroachment, and Fire permits online
- Track the progress of your application and plan review online, and
- Schedule and track inspections online.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this closure and transition period.
If you have any questions regarding this upcoming closure or your current permit application status, please contact our Community Development Team at 408-846-0451.
Small Businesses May Apply Now to COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program
Eligible California small businesses may apply now for a state program that awards funds for costs incurred from the COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave.
Under the California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program, eligible businesses may be awarded between $5,000–$50,000. Funds are limited and will be awarded based on eligibility and availability of funds.
To apply, visit https://caspsl.com/.
Program Details
Grant awards are to be used only for reimbursing COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave provided between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022.
Applicants must provide proof of employee payroll records that verify all COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave provided by the applicant. The amount provided in the records also must match that of the grant request.
For eligibility restrictions, visit https://caspsl.com/.
Upcoming Webinars
On behalf of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, Lendistry is hosting a series of webinar sessions where representatives will walk applicants through the program guidelines and do a live demo of the application process.
To view available dates and sign up for a webinar, visit https://caspsl.com/webinars/.
June 5, 2023
The Value of Local Partnerships and Promoting Local Events
Visit Gilroy values our partnerships with local organizations and businesses and understands the benefits these bring to our community and our visitors. Visit Gilroy is proud to support some local organizations by helping to promote their events, such as the Downtown Gilroy Wine & Art Walk, the Halloween Beer Crawl, the Holiday Parade, the 3rd Friday Art Walk, and the Chamber’s Garlic City Car Show. These events bring hundreds to thousands of visitors to Gilroy, and those people visit our restaurants, retail shops, and other entertainment venues, benefiting the local businesses and economy.
Visit Gilroy promotes these events through a variety of ways, including our website event calendar, our social media platforms, online ads, blogs, and more. Visit Gilroy’s Tourism & Community Engagement Coordinator Madeline Martin also participates on their planning committees and assists at the events.
Downtown Gilroy Wine & Art Walk
Visit Gilroy recently partnered with the Downtown Business Association in promoting and working at the Downtown Gilroy Wine & Art Walk on May 20, 2023. The event sold 450 wine-tasting tickets and had well over 500 attendees. Many visitors came for the fine art and artisan vendors and the family-friendly activity area, while also enjoying the live music, culture, a dance performance, and small bites offered by local restaurants.
This event introduced attendees to our downtown businesses as they entered for the wine tastings—also introducing them to our fantastic local wineries. Some lingered afterwards to purchase food and drinks at local establishments. A number of visitors to Gilroy were surprised at all the new places that had opened recently and all that we had to offer.
Garlic City Car Show
The Chamber’s Garlic City Car Show draws thousands of out-of-town visitors, from car entrants to car enthusiasts. This fun event is also strategically hosted downtown, where people not only can peruse cars, but they can also explore downtown businesses and restaurants. Visit Gilroy recognizes that these community events also foster the identity of our city, which in return attracts visitors and instills local pride. Visit Gilroy is a proud supporter of our partner organizations that host these events that bring locals and visitors to our city and benefit our entire community economically.
Sidewalk Vending Community Workshop
A Modern Online Permit System is Coming to the City of Gilroy!
What's New with Business?
Class Act Music Academy
It’s time to register for camp! Come join us at our 3rd annual music and arts summer camp, Downbeat! All incoming 2nd graders through incoming 10th graders are welcome to experiencing music, art, drama, dance, and more! As always, all lunch and snacks are included. Come join a few of CAMA’s favorite teachers for the week – Ms. Dani, Mr. Michael, and Coach Dany! Click below to register, or email contact@cspaa.org with any questions. We’ll see you soon!
The Gilroy Garlic Festival Brings Back Nashville Songwriters Sponsored by KRTY.com Concert on July 13 at Clos LaChance Winery in San Martin. The concert will be held on Thursday, July 13, doors open at 6 p.m., at the winery, 1 Hummingbird Lane, in San Martin (clos.com). Tickets are $75 per person and will go on sale June 1, at https://gilroygarlicfestivalassociation.com. The $75 ticket includes wine glass, glass of wine and garlic swag. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association.
The concert features award-winning Nashville songwriters Eric Paslay, Tyler Reeve, Chase McGill, and Chris LeCorte. All seating will be first-come first-served. Seating is limited so guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blanket. The event is age 21 and over only. No outside alcohol allowed, including previously purchased Clos LaChance wines. Food will be available for purchase at the event, but outside food/picnic is also allowed, including sealed water bottles.
Sponsorships are available at the $500 level, which includes 4 tickets, 4 glasses, 4 glasses of wine, garlic swag, meet and greet, and social media recognition.
Since 1979, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association has distributed more than $12 million to local charitable organizations through its annual, family-friendly celebration of the famous bulb. Local non-profits participating in the festival have raised millions more. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association aims to be a chain that links together residents, businesses, nonprofits, faith groups, schools, and other local institutions in a collaborative and supportive expression of “community.”
Small Business Grant Program
PayPal and the San Jose Earthquakes share a deep-rooted commitment to helping small business owners achieve their dreams. As a cornerstone of our long-term partnership, the Support Our City program was designed to highlight local businesses based within our Bay Area communities. Whether these are restaurants, barber shops, or clothing stores, they are instrumental in defining the place we collectively call home.
For the 2023 season, PayPal will be awarding a $5,000 grant to three businesses in the region. The PayPal / Venmo Support Our City Grant was developed to champion opportunity for business owners and help them rethink their own possibilities. Learn more and Apply!!
