Economy

Applications now open for Arts Express Grant Program The San Benito County Arts Council invites local artists, art groups, art and cultural organizations to apply to the 2022 Arts Express Grant Program for general operations and project-based funding for art programs, projects and activities that...

Hollister Municipal Airport is set to become a testing ground for zero-emission aircraft—and perhaps even a hub for hydrogen-electric power research—as an international technology company recently announced its new 19-seat aircraft will be based at the local facility.  ZeroAvia has received its second twin-engine Dornier...

Special to the Free Lance San Benito County officials and property owners continue to seek more funding to provide more services for local homeless people, and to reduce the unhoused population.  The San Benito County Board of Supervisors discussed some of the possibilities when they met...

More than 1,000 motorcyclists rolled through Hollister April 10 for the Top Hatters’ annual Palm Sunday bike blessing. The 2022 event, which took place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was the 29th annual bike blessing organized by the Top Hatters Motorcycle Club, according to longtime...

Due to critically dry hydrologic conditions, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is updating water supply allocations for Central Valley Project (CVP) municipal and industrial water service contractors.  Effective April 1, water supply for all Central Valley Project Municipal & Industrial (M&I) water service contractors...

The San Juan Bautista Art & Craft Festival returned to the streets of the San Benito County town last weekend for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic started, bringing crowds of all ages and enthusiastic vendors. The festival, which took place March 26 and...

San Benito County has about $80,000 available for grants through the Microbusiness Covid-19 Relief Program. The grants are intended to aid very small businesses that have been adversely impacted by the pandemic, according to county staff.  The county board of supervisor accepted the funds from...

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors on March 8 were unable to come to a consensus on whether or not to add a sales tax measure to the November ballot, requesting more information on the county’s finances. Among the concerns during the public forum,...

San Juan Bautista is among eight Central Coast communities slated to receive federal funding for public works, healthcare, housing and other projects, according to U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s office.  The FY 2022 appropriations package for the 20th Congressional District totals about $5.9 million. That includes...

California's average price for a gallon of gasoline is the highest in the United States, with Santa Clara County among the most expensive in the state, according to the Automobile Association of America. As of March 8, the average price for regular gas in California...