include a large grocery store and a large manufacturer of bicycle apparel – the City practices a “down-to-earth” approach to customer service. “We’re a small community, so folks can walk right into city hall and be able to talk to planners, to the Community Development Director, or to myself if they have any issues or questions,” Matthew says. “We pride ourselves on providing a customized, personal service to our business customers.” “We also work very effectively with the South County Chamber of Commerce,” he adds. “We work closely with them to make sure we’re aware of business needs, that we’re considering their input, and that we’re making policy decisions based that will help local business be successful.” “Our City Council is very pro-business,” he says. “They are pro-development in the right places and the right ways. The Council approaches their policies based on an appreciation of what businesses do in the community. We recognize that they’re the backbone to our economy, and we do what we can in city government to provide an environment where they can flourish.” In order to provide that kind of environment, city government has turned their attention to improving local infrastructure, including city streets. In the past, the condition of city streets was often “neglected,” Matthew says, with maintenance being deferred over a long time given limited funding. Recently, however, voters approved nearly $50 million in funding to help improve local streets – which is a very significant investment for a city of Grover Beach’s size. In response, over the last few years, the city has been busy upgrading their streets – repaving neglected streets, adding sidewalks, adding curb ramps, and more. By 2020, they will have repaired 50 per cent of all local streets. GROVER BEACH, CA At the same time, the city has also been hard at work upgrading 50-year old water and sewage infrastructure. Related to that effort, they have engaged in a regional recycled water partnership called the Central Coast Blue project. That project involves designing and building a new advanced water purification facility, which will treat wastewater and then inject it back into their groundwater basin. It is projected to increase the city’s water supply by 30 per cent. Finally, Grover Beach is also home to an AmTrak train station, which is currently in the midst of a significant expansion and enhancement. Parking, landscaping, safety, and bus and train connections are all being improved – as is the “overall customer experience,” Matthew says, with the goal being to create a “premier regional multi-modal transportation facility.” “We are literally rebuilding the city from the ground up,” he explains. “And by making those investments and carrying out the City Council’s vision, we are signalling to the business community that we are committed to making this a place where they can be successful.” “We want to send the message that Grover Beach is open for business,” he concludes. “We value our business community – we want to attract new ones, retain the ones we have, and create a more thriving city as a result.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA For more on Grover Beach – includingtourisminformation, as well as business resources – visit http://www.grover.org/index.aspx?NID=120 DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - WEST
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