|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Local economic trends and new business developments in the city, including plans for World Cup soccer this summer, were in the spotlight on Friday, when the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual “Morning with the Mayor” event.
The gathering was attended by local officials and business leaders who hobnobbed over a hearty breakfast at the Hyatt Centric in the San Antonio Shopping Center on March 27. The event featured a group of panelists from different industries, including health care, banking and hospitality.
You really shouldn’t have to use a whole team of people just to understand how to open a business.
Emily Ann Ramos, Mayor of Mountain View
Mayor Emily Ann Ramos gave the main talk with an overview of current economic developments in Mountain View, including city efforts to revitalize the downtown corridor and provide more support to small business owners.
Earlier this month, the City Council approved several zoning code updates to reduce barriers for small businesses to get established, particularly around permitting and parking requirements. Ramos described the updates as a positive change that would help the city attract more businesses.
The updates come as several businesses have announced closures this year, including Nob Hill Foods at Grant Park Plaza, Los Portales Mexican restaurant at Moffett Plaza shopping center, Blossom True Valley Hardware on El Camino Real and Next Level Board Game Café in downtown Mountain View.
“We have to stay flexible in this crazy environment,” Ramos said, adding that the zoning updates would be easier for city staff to administer and for the public to grasp. “You really shouldn’t have to use a whole team of people just to understand how to open a business.”
Ramos also highlighted city initiatives providing direct support for new and expanding businesses, including a business ambassador team and façade grant program. The city also is developing a public art strategy to brighten up different parts of Mountain View with murals, sculptures and other decorative features, Ramos said.
Not just focused on small businesses, Ramos noted that Mountain View continues to attract emerging industries, especially those related to tech, like OpenAI, which recently leased an office complex in the East Whisman area. Ramos highlighted other tech leases in the city, including Lightmatter, a photonic computer company that is moving into a large office building on Bryant Street, and ID.me, an identity network company that is taking over an office on Castro Street.
“These latest lease deals reflect the developing trend of offices locating in downtown for urban amenities like retail, restaurants [and] coffee shops just outside their front door,” Ramos said.
Ramos also touched on World Cup soccer, which is being held in several U.S. cities, including at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara this summer. Ramos described the sporting event as an opportunity to boost local economic activity in Mountain View with city-sponsored and community events.
“The city is exploring hosting watch parties in our downtown, and we are collaborating with our local soccer organizations for activations, creating opportunities to play in parks across the city,” Ramos said.
The Chamber event, including the mayor’s talk and panel session, is available to watch online.
