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Agriculture
The fertile San Benito River valley supports some of the most productive farmland in the state. Throughout the county fields of peppers, garlic, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, celery and cauliflower surround one. The beautiful colors of the leaf lettuce provide a visual feast for the eye. Much of the county's farmland has been certified organic. These row crops and orchards speak volumes about understanding the responsibility of the water quality, concern for the environment and future generations of farmers.
Agriculture continues to be the county's major producing industry with a 1999 gross value of $179,848,000. The most significant changes were Bell Peppers moved to the #1 crop in the County bringing in nearly $20 million, and the category of Fruit and Nut Crops increased by 24%. San Benito County's agricultural income shows the important contribution of farming and ranching to the economic base and the quality of life of it's residents.
Top Crops and Commodity Charts
| Top Ten Crops |
| |
Baby Lettuce, (Salad) |
$32,711,000 |
| Lettuce, Leaf (mixed) |
$14,534,000 |
| Bell Peppers |
$13,972,000 |
| Lettuce, Head (packed) |
$12,934,000 |
| Miscellaneous Veg. & Row Crops |
$8,714,000 |
| Onions |
$5,921,000 |
| Celery |
$4,509,000 |
| Broccoli |
$4,499,000 |
| Lettuce, Head (bulk) |
$4,390,000 |
| Cabbage |
$2,394,000 |
| |
|
| Commodity Summary |
| |
Field Crops |
$37,431,000 |
| Vegetable & Row Crops |
$115,186,000 |
| Fruit & Nut Crops |
$27,746,000 |
| Livestock |
$12,747,000 |
| Livestock & Poultry Products |
$15,789,000 |
| 2000 Totals |
$208,899,000 |
Statistics from the Annual Crop Report of the Agricultural Commission of the County of San Benito |
Manufacturing
EDD continues to forecast a slight increase in the manufacturing labor base. Firms showing above average growth are Milgard, Corbin-Pacific, LifeSparc Inc. and McCormick Selph Inc. These firms all occupy special niches and some are recognized as "World Class" companies and together they created 275 new jobs during the past year.
Industry
The city of Hollister is committed to welcoming new business and industry to the community. Several thousand acres are ready for industrial development near the airport. Coupled with a labor force that is comprised of a strong work ethic spells win-win.
San Benito County Annual Industry Employment Trends
| |
|
|
Growth |
Growth |
|
1999 |
from 1998 |
from 1990 |
| Total All Industries |
14,172 |
152 |
3,022 |
| Total Farm |
1,900 |
(60) |
(920) |
| Total Non-Farm |
12,527 |
457 |
4197 |
| |
| |
Goods Producing |
3,487 |
157 |
1,067 |
| Construction & Mining |
1,470 |
210 |
970 |
| Manufacturing |
2,031 |
(39) |
111 |
| Durable Goods |
1,271 |
(39) |
1,271 |
| Food & Kindred Products |
341 |
(19) |
341 |
| Other Non-Durable Goods |
421 |
21 |
421 |
| |
| |
Service Producing |
9,051 |
311 |
3,141 |
| Transportation & Public Utilities |
275 |
(35) |
15 |
| Transportation |
199 |
(41) |
199 |
| Communications & Public Utilities |
82 |
12 |
82 |
| |
| |
Trade |
3,530 |
10 |
1,250 |
| Wholesale |
943 |
53 |
333 |
| Retail Trade |
2,600 |
(30) |
920 |
| Food Stores |
500 |
(10) |
500 |
| Eating & Drinking Places |
1,006 |
(74) |
1,006 |
| Other Retail Trade |
1,125 |
75 |
1,125 |
| |
| |
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate |
454 |
44 |
134 |
| |
| |
Services |
2,083 |
163 |
993 |
| Hotels & Other Lodging Places |
30 |
0 |
30 |
| Health Services |
360 |
10 |
360 |
| Other Services |
1,716 |
165 |
1,716 |
| |
| |
Government |
2,685 |
115 |
725 |
| Federal Government |
140 |
0 |
30 |
| State & Local Government |
2,545 |
115 |
2,545 |
| State Government |
161 |
(9) |
(39) |
| Local Government |
2,355 |
105 |
705 |
Source: California Economic Development Department |
Retail Trade and Services
The Center for the continuing Study of California Economy has forecast San Benito County taxable sales to grow by 101% between 1998-2010, making it one of the leading counties in the State. A number of retail outlets came on line during the year.
San Benito County Retail Outlook
Retail sales revenues in
San Benito County (1,000) |
|
|
|
|
|
1998 |
1999 |
|
Hollister |
82% |
$172,162 |
$198,650 |
| San Juan Bautista |
4% |
$8,806 |
$9,127 |
| Unincorporated Area |
14% |
$29,449 |
$31 851 |
| San Benito County |
|
$210,417 |
$239,628 |
Source: California State Board of Equalization |
Labor Force and Commuters Charts
|
|
|
|
|
Labor Force |
Hollister |
San Juan Bautista |
San Benito County |
| Agriculture |
843 |
53 |
2,162 |
| Mining |
13 |
1 |
44 |
| Construction |
715 |
49 |
1,535 |
| Mfg. Non Durable |
818 |
47 |
1,337 |
| Mfg. Durable |
936 |
41 |
1,802 |
| Transportation |
292 |
38 |
669 |
| Communications |
179 |
10 |
344 |
| Wholesale |
308 |
17 |
546 |
| Retail |
1,405 |
166 |
2,590 |
| Financial |
362 |
27 |
808 |
| Business & Repair |
347 |
20 |
717 |
| Personal Services |
203 |
10 |
399 |
| Entertainment & Recreation |
120 |
30 |
253 |
| Professional |
1,534 |
139 |
2,827 |
| Public Admin. |
382 |
46 |
749 |
Commuters |
|
|
|
| under 10 minutes |
2,414 |
165 |
4,332 |
| 10 to 19 minutes |
2,801 |
156 |
5,015 |
| 20 to 90 minutes |
3,112 |
342 |
7,183 |
| Drive Alone |
6,267 |
483 |
12,151 |
| Carpool |
1,437 |
69 |
2,889 |
| Public Transport |
23 |
3 |
62 |
| Other |
454 |
82 |
880 |
| Work at Home |
146 |
26 |
548 |
San Benito County Major Employers
|
|
|
Full Time Employees |
| |
Natural Selection Foods |
Manufacturing |
700 |
| |
Pride of San Juan |
Manufacturing |
425 |
|
Milgard |
Manufacturing |
330 |
| Hazel Hawkins Hospital |
Service |
327 |
| San Benito Foods |
Manufacturing |
250 |
| Quantic Holex |
Manufacturing |
240 |
| McCormick Selph |
Manufacturing |
220 |
| Semi Fab |
Manufacturing |
200 |
| Target |
Retail |
155 |
| Safeway |
Retail |
153 |
| West Marine |
Distribution |
150 |
| Ridgemark |
Recreation |
140 |
| Granite Rock |
Mineral |
112 |
| Cable Car Sunglasses |
Manufacturing |
110 |
| Safety Storage |
Manufacturing |
100 |
| California PC Products |
Manufacturing |
100 |
| LifeSparc Inc. |
|
100 |
| Leatherback |
Manufacturing |
85 |
| Marich |
|
65 |
Source: California Economic Development Department |
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