In the heart of Silicon Valley, an individual making minimum wage needs to work nearly four hourly jobs to pay the rent. A new report, conducted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, finds housing costs in the nation are rising to unreachable levels for many—especially those working minimum wage jobs. Across the nation, full-time minimum wage workers...
Survey says San Jose #1 for millennials. Experts disagree.
A new survey claims San Jose is the top metropolitan area in the country for working millennials, but those in the know say that’s not the reality. Commercial Cafe’s study says San Jose’s metropolitan area, which includes Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, is the best region for millennials based on four of seven indicators. The four areas San...
The Biz Beat: A sweet bounty awaits inside family’s East San Jose bakery
It’s easy to underestimate the wonders within Mexico Bakery on Alum Rock Avenue in East San Jose from its modest storefront. But stepping inside, the interior, like some magical Tardis machine, seems three or four times larger than it possibly could be as the mind struggles to take in the colors, shapes and varieties of all the...
San Jose Downtown Association finds new leader in Reno
After more than three decades, the San Jose Downtown Association is getting new leadership. Alex Stettinski, executive director of Downtown Reno Partnership, is set to become CEO following a six-month national search involving 46 candidates. Stettinski will replace CEO Scott Knies, who has led the business organization since 1988. Knies will remain on the job until Nov....
San Jose residents react to record-breaking inflation
San Jose residents are grappling with the highest level of inflation in 41 years, forcing many to make hard choices about food, travel and housing—furthering the disparity between the haves and have-nots. On Wednesday, the Labor Department reported consumer prices have risen 9.1% since June of last year. Rising costs have affected nearly every sector....
Will Santa Clara voters approve a headcount tax for businesses?
A business tax will reap millions for Santa Clara if residents approve a ballot measure in November. Voters will be asked whether the city should update the “headcount” tax business license fee, which has not been revised in 30 years and charges $15 to $500 annually based on the industry and number of employees. On...
San Jose State track proposed for fairgrounds
A proposed track and field at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds may return a university to former glory. Assemblymember Ash Kalra requested $25 million from the state Legislature for a San Jose State University Speed City Legacy Center and Track and Field Training Facility. The Legislature approved $4 million in the 2022-23 fiscal year budget....
The Biz Beat: Bacalhau Grill offers Brazilian, Portuguese cuisine
With a wide selection of Portuguese and Brazilian foods and wines, the Bacalhau Grill Restaurant & Market in San Jose is a home away from home for immigrants from two continents bound by a common language. “When the restaurant started 40 years ago, it was Portuguese to the core,” Joel Netto, assistant manager, told San...
San Jose airport gets funding for disability upgrades
Traversing San Jose’s airport will get easier for people with disabilities thanks to future accessibility upgrades. The Federal Aviation Administration is allocating $10 million toward improving accessibility at Mineta San Jose International Airport, Congressmember Zoe Lofgren said in a statement last week. The funding is part of a bipartisan infrastructure package providing $25 billion in...
San Jose gets stricter with parking enforcement
If you thought you could get away with parking over the time limit on San Jose streets, think again. The city is ramping up enforcement of time-restricted street parking with automated license plate readers this month. The controversial technology is a high-speed, computer-controlled camera system that automatically captures all license plate numbers that come into view, along...