The Hollister Redevelopment Agency plans to begin a marketing
effort aimed at providing incentives for real estate brokers to
bring new businesses to
– and keep existing businesses in – Hollister.
Hollister – The Hollister Redevelopment Agency plans to begin a marketing effort aimed at providing incentives for real estate brokers to bring new businesses to – and keep existing businesses in – Hollister.
The RDA’s commercial attraction/retention plan will pay a consulting fee to brokers who fill vacant commercial space within the city’s redevelopment project area, which comprises 48 percent of the city.
Brokers will also earn a fee if they steer an existing Hollister business considering relocating outside of the city to a new location within the redevelopment area.
“We … hope to provide assistance to real estate agents who, if all else is equal, will steer or encourage commercial enterprises to locate in Hollister or not to relocate to another jurisdiction,” said the Redevelopment project’s coordinator Bryan Briggs.
Created last year, the program has not yet been marketed because the RDA staff is still putting together a comprehensive presentation for real estate brokers. The presentation should completed by September, according to Briggs.
Fees will range from $900 for a space 1,000 square feet or less, to $3,000 for a space that is 10,001 square feet or more.
To be eligible for the program, brokers must fill a space with a business that provides at least one full-time job for every 1,000 square feet of space. Businesses occupying the space need to obtain a Hollister business license and must use the space in adherence with the city’s development requirements. They must remain in business at the location for at least two years.
Real estate brokers will have a limited time to take advantage of the program, which is slated to end in June of 2006.
Councilwoman Monica Johnson said she likes the idea of using incentives to pull businesses into town.
“I think it’s a good plan … it’s not uncommon for cities with RDA to have plans like that,” she said.
“Human beings need incentives,” she added.
Luke Roney covers politics and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at
lr****@fr***********.com
.
