The San Benito County Business Council has added its name to the
list of groups supporting Measure T
– but with reservations.
The San Benito County Business Council has added its name to the list of groups supporting Measure T – but with reservations.
The Business Council recently endorsed the sales tax initiative in a letter to Hollister Mayor Brad Pike. In return for that support, the business council asked the city to commit to local economic development by “fast tracking” the business approval process and monitoring the San Benito County Economic Development Corp.’s success at attracting new jobs to the area.
“If you don’t do something to encourage economic development we’ll be having another tax election in five years,” said Business Council President Larry Barr.
Business Council members endorsing the letter include Scott Morgan and Mike Van Horn of Milgard Manufacturing, Scott Fuller of San Juan Oaks Golf Course, Will Sutton and Jack Hance of San Benito Bank and Steve Staloch, publisher of the Hollister Free Lance.
Barr said the measure, to increase the local sales tax from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent is a way to “bring relief for a while.” But the only long-term solution is to attract more money and jobs to the financially struggling city, he said.
Barr said that Hollister is “not very pro-business” – with fees and restrictions driving away businesses.
Council members have been supportive of the business group’s ideas, Barr said.
