News/Blog

News and thoughts from our staff

 
Home kitchen fees waived through March

Home kitchen fees waived through March

By Brittney Sherman

In March 2023, the Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) ordinance and permit fees were adopted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, authorizing home-based retail food facilities. Under this program, food is prepared, cooked and served from a private residence at a maximum of 90 meals per week. Due to recent fee relief, the MEHKO application ($435) and permit ($635) fees have been waived through March 2024.

Program History: In January 2019, AB 262 authorized individuals to operate restaurants out of their private residences. In September 2022, SB 972 approved MEHKO operators to expand their offerings by collaborating with no more than two Compact Mobile Food Operators for sidewalk vendor sales. In 2023, AB 1325 adjusted the MEKHOS annual gross income cap to $100,000 and expanded the weekly meals to no more than 90.

Learn more about the MEHKO program HERE.

 
Do you qualify for commercial property tax relief?

Do you qualify for commercial property tax relief?

By Brittney Sherman

According to the Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office, in 2022 the number of Prop. 8 declines in value assessments were 2,595. That number increased more than 600% in 2023. Of the 17,000 assessments found to be proactively red last year, 28% of them were commercial properties. As a result, the Assessor’s Office has announced they will open the informal Prop 8 review process 4 months early beginning February 16, 2024.

As of January 1, if property market value falls below the existing tax assessment signaling declining market conditions, the County Assessor is obligated to temporarily reduce the assessed value. Due to the anticipated influx of Prop 8 commercial property relief requests, the review process has been opened early to facilitate timely and accurate appraisals and reduce the number of costly appeals.

Learn more HERE.

 
Local wineries earn "gold"

Local wineries earn "gold"

By Brittney Sherman

Over 1,000 wineries competed in this year’s prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest in Northern California. Of the 5,700 total entries, the following South Santa Clara County Wineries made it on the podium: Guglielmo, Kirigin Cellars, Little Uvas, Martin Ranch, Moose Mountain, P&V, Sarah’s Vineyard and Solis.

Read the full article in the Morgan Hill Times HERE.

 
Business Spotlight: Airtronics Metal Products

Business Spotlight: Airtronics Metal Products

By Brittney Sherman

Founded in 1960 as a family-owned metal fabrication business, Airtronics Metal Products initially set its roots in Sunnyvale, later relocating to San Jose for a business expansion opportunity. Approximately 10 years ago, the company made what it hopes to be their final move to an 88,000 sq.ft. building in Morgan Hill, aiming to further accommodate growth and enhance service capabilities. Serving primarily medical device producers, their clients hail from across the western hemisphere, from the South Bay to South America. Their services consist mostly of building shell enclosures for medical and networking companies, which are then shipped out to be filled with sensitive equipment such as lasers and boards. Airtronics provides a wide range of manufacturing services from laser cutting, punching, and welding, to painting, silk screening and assembly. The company employees 70 people and is currently looking to hire two welders.

Learn more about Airtronics HERE.

 
Popular trail expands by 3,600 acres

Popular trail expands by 3,600 acres

By Brittney Sherman

With 87,000 acres at Henry Coe State Park and an additional 58 trails covering 585 miles, Morgan Hill has already become a preferred location for hiking and biking enthusiasts alike. The Conservation Fund’s recent purchase of the Richmond Ranch will expand the existing Bay Area Trail more than 3,600 acres. This land acquisition will act as a bridge, connecting the East Foothills, Coyote Valley, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Upon approval by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Clara County Department of Parks will be handed the land, which they will co-manage alongside Valley Habitat Agency.

Read the full Morgan Hill Times article HERE.

 
Business Spotlight: Creative Manufacturing Solutions

Business Spotlight: Creative Manufacturing Solutions

By Brittney Sherman

Tim Herlihy founded Creative Manufacturing Solutions (CMS) in San Jose in 2006, after learning the trade by working in his father’s shop. Eight years later, he leased the prior Fox Racing building in Morgan Hill, converging both his San Jose and Gilroy locations into one shop. Today, Tim has been in the sheet metal manufacturing industry for twenty years, having created a company with the manufacturing experts needed to deliver fabricated sheet metal products. The full service 50,000 sq. feet manufacturing facility provides Design Services, CNC Punching, Laser Cutting, Forming, Welding, In-House Powder Coating, and Assembly. CMS employs 40 people and in the future Tim has plans to provide classes and onsite job training to bolster the local industry talent and build a pipeline for future tradesman.

Learn more about Creative Manufacturing Solutions HERE.

Join us on Social Media

Talk to our team