New and Local Business
Growing our local economy means making Hollister a place where businesses want to start, stay, and thrive. My approach focuses on cutting red tape, supporting entrepreneurs, and attracting quality jobs that raise wages and strengthen our community. By streamlining processes, reducing fees, and partnering with local organizations, we can help existing businesses expand and bring new opportunities to town. Smart business growth means more sales tax revenue, better jobs for residents, and a stronger budget—all without raising taxes on families.
My plan makes Hollister more business-friendly through efficiency, incentives, and targeted attraction—driving revenue growth: • Streamline permitting and processes as a top priority—reducing delays, fees, and bureaucracy so new/local businesses open and expand faster (e.g., online portals, checklists/guides, dedicated support). • Incentivize entrepreneurship for anyone and everyone—targeted help for startups/small owners (e.g., fee waivers/reductions, expedited reviews, easing rules for home-based businesses, pop-up/shop support). • Work closely with the Downtown Association and Chamber of Commerce—direct staff (via resolution) to increase city funding for scouting/advertising/promoting members, cut member fees where possible, and actively scout all businesses citywide for membership growth. • Add "Hollister First" bidding preferences (e.g., priority in city contracts for local businesses). • Attract higher-wage employers, emphasizing AgTech (leveraging our schools' specialties)—through studies, outreach, and incentives to bring good jobs here that raise wages and support natural housing affordability. • Support a council resolution to kick off economic studies identifying best incentives for manufacturing/tech/AgTech growth. • Tie business success to revenue: New commercial projects and stronger local sales tax boosts fund infrastructure/safety/roads without raising resident taxes—ensuring growth pays its way and strengthens the budget.