Now that the pipe dream of the proposed Miwok casino is behind
us, we are left with a renewed conviction for real economic
development in San Benito County. Yet, there are challenges and
roadblocks that still hinder economic reform; namely, lack of road,
water and wastewater improvements. The trick then, is to identify
new economic opportunities that do not overburden the environment
and cause pollution, clog and degrade our roadways or compromise
our water/wastewater systems. And we may have discovered the
components of this new economic engine within our midst; cultural
and heritage tourism.
Now that the pipe dream of the proposed Miwok casino is behind us, we are left with a renewed conviction for real economic development in San Benito County. Yet, there are challenges and roadblocks that still hinder economic reform; namely, lack of road, water and wastewater improvements. The trick then, is to identify new economic opportunities that do not overburden the environment and cause pollution, clog and degrade our roadways or compromise our water/wastewater systems. And we may have discovered the components of this new economic engine within our midst; cultural and heritage tourism.
According to the California Chamber of Commerce: “The tourism industry is either the fourth or fifth largest industry in the state of California, depending on the measurement criteria that you use. And it’s either the first or second largest economic generator in every single rural county in California,” said 2004 Chamber Chair John Koeberer at the California Chamber’s Business Legislative Summit last year. “Tourism offers endless employment opportunities for both entry-level workforce members and highly paid professionals.”
At the local level, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce under Liz Sparling’s direction, is taking the lead with promoting tourism opportunities by exploring guided tours to farms, ranches, wine country and gourmet specialty businesses. Tourists will delight in visiting places such as Dorothy McNett’s, Casa de Fruta, Marich Confectioners and De Brito candy. Obviously, the Pinnacles, Historic San Jaun Bautista, and the Saddle Horse Show/Rodeo figure prominently as well.
Perhaps the best kept secret in San Benito County, yet vitally important to our cultural heritage, is the Indian Canyon Village located near Hollister Hills. Its tribal chairperson is Anne-Marie Sayers who fought for federal recognition for the Costanoan Indian reservation and is actively seeking to further the development of cultural understanding of indigenous people and their traditional ceremonies.
Central to this development is a Village House, a communal building which will be the focal point of the ceremonial and community events at Indian Canyon – dances, storytelling, tribal meetings and healing ceremonies. Indian Canyon proposes to combine the knowledge and wisdom of the Native people with 21st century technology to serve more visitors, and to increase the deep spiritual and community healing that flows forth from this refuge by expanding activities within the canyon and reaching out to the rest of the world through the Internet and World Wide Web. The construction of the Village House will require fundraising through a capital campaign.
According to the California Arts Council, the best way for local arts agencies, including the one in development in San Benito County, to succeed in promoting arts events is to partner with cultural and heritage tourism in order to develop the tourism industry and improve the local economy.
So the picture is coming into focus: Improve local economic development by offering a diverse program of rich cultural heritage, music and the arts, fine food and wine and promote the interesting geographic and historical importance of the California Central Coast region. The only missing ingredient is an organized effort to accommodate guided tours to San Benito County which is already in the works.
Finally, improving tourism will need the assistance and support of our local governments who will benefit from the increased tax revenue that cultural and heritage tourism will bring.
No, it’s not “get-rich-quick-overnight” thinking. But it does have the potential to gradually improve our local economy and quality of life through the celebration of our local culture and heritage. And we need to continue to preach the message that we need to buy local and support our local merchants to keep tax dollars in San Benito County.
Today and tomorrow, wineries of the San Benito County Winegrower’s Association open their doors for a weekend of Great Wines, Food and Music. Tickets are still available for this event.
This annual event has been enjoyed by visitors from far and near in the month of May. Explore the people, history, and beauty of San Benito County’s wine region. All wineries open their doors to a festive weekend filled with exclusive wine tasting, gourmet food, music, vineyard wagon rides, and more.
Tickets are available at Calera, Pietra Santa, and DeRose as well as Dorothy McNett’s Place in Downtown Hollister. Cost is $25 per person per day or $40 for the weekend.
Calling all artists! Don’t forget – the next meeting to develop an arts advocacy organization for San Benito County is May 25 at 6:30pm in the upstairs banquet room of the Vault Restaurant. We want your input and support. For more information call (831) 636-0546
Mike Smith lives in Hollister and is interested in public policy, music and the arts. He works in the water utility industry in Salinas
