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Santa Clara County is launching a disparity study to level the playing field for minority-owned businesses. The county wants to be more inclusive by identifying underrepresented businesses facing language and cultural barriers that have been left out in the past. Dennis King, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley, said organizations that get...
San Jose commission says city should not allow billboards at airport
A city commission is recommending San Jose not proceed with building two digital billboards at Mineta San Jose International Airport. The San Jose Airport Commission voted 5-1 Wednesday to reject the project for a myriad of reasons, including concerns over community pushback, light pollution, energy use and transparency throughout the process. But commissioners also voted to accept...
San Jose wants feedback on downtown transportation plan
Downtown San Jose could look very different in 30 years. There could be more two-way streets, bicycle lanes and faster light rail. The future is being planned right now, and residents are invited to join. The city is working on a transportation plan for downtown San Jose, and wants feedback. The city’s goal is to create...
Santa Clara quietly settles lawsuit with chamber of commerce
This time last year, Santa Clara publicly threatened to sue its chamber of commerce for nearly $600,000 it claimed the city was overcharged—but the two sides quietly settled the dispute for about half that amount last fall. The city and the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce reached a settlement that requires the business group to pay the...
Parking fees at Santa Clara County mall upset shop owners, employees
Retailers and restaurant owners at Westfield Valley Fair shopping mall are circulating a petition against a new paid parking policy. The shopping center’s parking program, scheduled to start Feb. 8, would charge people working at Valley Fair $40 per month or $3 per day, which adds up for those earning a minimum wage. A petition...
Silicon Valley lawmakers advance bill to improve fast-food working conditions
A dramatic change to fast-food worker protection could upend the franchise framework, and while labor advocates are happy to see it advance, franchise owners aren’t entirely onboard. State assemblymembers voted 43-13 on Thursday to approve amendments to Assembly Bill 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST). The bill envisions a state-appointed council to...
Grants for Santa Clara County microbusinesses will leave some hanging
COVID relief for very small businesses in Santa Clara County is on the horizon, but a bevy of rules may prevent it from reaching some struggling entrepreneurs. The county is waiting to receive $2.4 million from a California program that aids microbusinesses across the state. Once in hand, the county anticipates distributing $2,500 grants to...
Santa Clara soccer field parking lot could be new revenue stream
Santa Clara is eyeing the soccer field parking lot adjacent to Levi’s Stadium as a way to earn extra city revenue from stadium events when it’s not in use. Whether that’s feasible or not depends on a voter-approved law limiting how the city can use parks and open space. At a Santa Clara City Council...
San Jose airport sees big holiday crowds despite COVID
Large numbers of travelers braved Mineta San Jose International Airport over the holidays even as a new COVID-19 variant ripped through the Bay Area. An estimated 478,000 people traveled in and out of San Jose’s airport during peak holiday traffic in December. Airport spokesperson Keonnis Taylor said this data comes from the TSA, which recorded passenger traffic...
San Jose’s idea to launch a public bank is off the table
San Jose lawmakers explored forming a public bank a few years ago, but it went nowhere. The idea was introduced by Councilmembers Magdalena Carrasco, Sergio Jimenez and Raul Peralez in a 2019 memo, after San Jose received information that led to the city exploring a banking contract with JPMorgan Chase. The institution had been accused...