Visalia Tourism Marketing District moves to Main Street
The newly formed marketing agency funded by Visalia hotel operators has relocated its ‘Visit Visalia’ tourism office to Main Street in Downton. The Districts is funded by a 2% assessment on the room rates at of each hotel property in the district, added to the room rates.The district is expected to generate approximately $600,000 a year to promote travel and tourism in Visalia.
Now ‘Visit Visalia’ has relocated from the transit hub on Oak to 112 E Main, just a block north of the the Convention Center. Travelers visiting the office can talk to staff about their local options and look through maps and brochures to plan out their vacation.
Bankruptcy Filings Continue to Decline
US Bankruptcy filings fell by 0.9 percent for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2019, compared with the year ending March 31, 2018. According to statistics released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the March 2019 annual bankruptcy filings totaled 772,646, compared with 779,828 cases in the previous year.
The data continues a national trend of declining bankruptcy filings since 2011. A national wave of bankruptcies that began in 2008 reached a peak in the year ending September 2010, when nearly 1.6 million bankruptcies were filed.
Brandman University opens new Visalia campus
The new Brandman University campus at 337 North Plaza Drive is now open as a ribbon cutting was held last week for the new complex. The school offers classes on campus and online with an enrollment of 534 students.
Visalia Mayor Bob Link told the crowd at try eloping that the school that enables adults to continue their education has “a distinct culture of adult learners who persevere and continue their journey for growth.”
Brandman University Chancellor Gary Brahm says the school has had success with 80 percent of the school’s single mother students completing degrees within six years.
Visalia eye doctor plans new Downtown Visalia office
Visalia ophamologist Luke Bianco is building a new 4500sf medical office at Church and Murray near Downtown. The new complex is expected open in late 2019 says architect Fred Scott.Construction is by BJ Perch.
Plant-based California company – Beyond Meat – goes public / Del Taco bites
Beyond Meat, the startup manufacturer of plant-based meat alternatives, expects to raise $184 million in its initial public offering, CNBC reports. The California-based company will be listed on the Nasdaq stock market as BYND. Meanwhile Beyond Tacos are coming to ALL Del Taco locations nationwide, making them the first national Mexican fast-food chain to offer Beyond Meat at the company’s 580 restaurants across the country.