The Morgan Hill business community continues to experience outstanding growth throughout its key sectors. Much of this dynamic development can be attributed to the interconnectedness of Morgan Hill businesses and the desire of each party to contribute to the symbiotic business ecosystem with proven success. To further this trend, the city’s Economic Development team’s Choose Morgan Hill Speaker Series on October 24 will feature Innovation & Manufacturing. This interactive presentation is followed by a Tourism workshop and Healthcare conversation to conclude the fall series. Just 10 minutes from San Jose, Morgan Hill is something of an enigma in the South Bay, given its ideal rural ambiance, abundant development space, and affordability. The average rent is 51% less than in peer cities in Silicon Valley. In addition to having Caltrain services in place and being less than 30 minutes from Mineta San Jose International Airport, people experience a reverse commute when traveling to and from work in Morgan Hill. The city’s population has continued to rise steadily as new residents are drawn to the outdoor recreation, lifestyle choices, and affordable homes. Far from being a bedroom community, downtown features almost three dozen restaurants, and the surrounding area is teeming with historic wineries, pick-your-own farms, and other amenities rarely associated with today’s Silicon Valley. The outdoor recreation is equally robust, with numerous cycling and hiking trailheads located just minutes from downtown. The area also boasts Henry W. Coe State Park, the largest state park in all of Northern California. The business opportunities are just as varied and robust. Morgan Hill has created an Economic Blueprint that focuses on four pillars: healthcare, innovation/advanced manufacturing, tourism, and retail. The 2019 Fall Speakers Series features each of these topics. The first event in the Speaker Series focused on retail and featured a panel of area commercial developers and Steve McGrath, the owner of YogaSource, a new downtown business that will open in December. Steve was effusive about why his company chose Morgan Hill to open its newest studio. Gary Hansen, senior director with Cushfield & Wakefield, shares McGrath’s sentiment. The Northern California real estate developer is creating Madrone Village, a mixed-use retail center in Morgan Hill. “I’m pleased to say the Office of City Development made this project possible,” Hansen said during the roundtable discussion. “We believe that the retail development in this area is going to be pretty spectacular.” Edith Ramirez, the Economic Development director for the City of Morgan Hill, was not afraid to ask challenging questions about zoning laws, housing, and other areas that might impede a developer’s desire to build locally. Her resolve to overcome these perceived barriers remains resolute. “I tell a story that we know what we want, we have an economic blueprint, and we are working really hard to develop that blueprint for [developers],” she said in her closing remarks. Local business investors will also speak during the Innovation & Manufacturing discussion on October 24 in the Granada Theater scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Will Parker, Brian Matteoni, and Mike Wargocki will converse about the Morgan Hill market and why they chose to locate their business operations in this particular city. In addition to presenting what they offer and how their enterprise benefits from the local community, they will take questions from the audience intended to foster wide-ranging conversation specific to Morgan Hill’s innovation and manufacturing potential. Will Parker is principal and head of the Trammell Crow Company's Northern California Business Unit. He currently manages 3 million square feet of office and industrial product in the region. He also oversees future acquisition projects, consulting business, finance, and day-to-day operations, in addition to other responsibilities. Brian Matteoni is a senior vice president at CBRE, where he was instrumental in expanding the company's commercial real estate holdings and services in Silicon Valley. He is one of just 75 brokers selected to join the CBRE National Industrial Service Group. Mike Wargocki is West Coast General Manager for Sun Basket, among the fastest-growing food delivery services in America. Sun Basket is rated the nation's premier meal kit system, and Mike oversees all West Coast operations from his Morgan Hill office. The Morgan Hill Speaker Series provides a compelling profile of the city, an area that features over 6 million square feet of potential new development as well as one of California’s oldest wine regions and largest state parks. Given these unique characteristics, Morgan Hill can claim credit as both a business and tourist destination, a rare combination in this densely populated region. The Morgan Hill Development Team recognizes the value of tourism in the city. The Morgan Hill Speaker Series Tourism workshop is scheduled for October 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This half-day session will feature several local organizations from the tourism and hospitality industry. Local organizations such as sports and recreation, wine, and agriculture tourism will be on hand to discuss the composition of their local offerings and to lead discussions about how Morgan Hill businesses can best illuminate their diverse offerings. The team has also invited members of other Northern California Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) to attend and contribute their insights to the workshop. Like manufacturing and tourism, the healthcare industry is a staple of Morgan Hill’s growing economy. The Speaker Series will feature Healthcare on November 7 during a lunch hour conversation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Granada Theater. The Morgan Hill Economic Team has worked diligently to attract healthcare services to the area. The potential development of the DePaul Hospital site remains central to this growth. Thus, the November 7 discussion will illuminate plans for the DePaul site as well as other incentives to continue growth as a Silicon Valley health services hub. Local and regional healthcare industry leaders will be invited to facilitate this discussion. Morgan Hill continues to develop as a “new” vibrant community in the South Bay. Many new residents have already discovered the rare combination of home-owning potential, ease of transportation, and a wide swath of amenities. Visitors to downtown's restaurant scene, hikers on the nature trails, and golfers on the city's two championship courses begin planning return trips before they finish their dinners, treks, and putts. The Morgan Hill Development team is clearly interested in continuing this trend by exploring conversations that illuminate every facet of the local community, from September’s successful Retail discussion to the upcoming Innovation & Manufacturing evening, Tourism workshop, and Healthcare conversation. Visit the Choose Morgan Hill website to learn more about these exciting opportunities to grow the Morgan Hill community and sign up for events and more information here.