-April 30,2019-
Wayfair has just what Visalia needs – sales taxes
The City of Visalia is projecting a $500,000 increase in their sales tax income from a court ruling impacting Wayfair, and other like sales – over the internet. California could see an additional $309 million this coming fiscal year says the consultant firm Muni Services. The Wayfair ruling will now require out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales tax on sales that exceed $100,000 in total or have 200 plus transactions to the state the product was delivered to. This change began April 1, 2019.
The ruling will also impact sales by Carvana who recently announced service in Visalia that allows locals to buy a used car on the internet and have it delivered to their door. But Visalia is going to get the sales tax revenue.
Cricket farm to build new facility in Visalia
Basset Cricket Farm who suffered a devastating fire last November is jumping from their rural location west of Farmersville to Visalia with construction of a new 3600 square foot facility at 535 N Lovers Lane, near Goshen Ave The company raises crickets for the reptile/pet industry.
New Visalia taproom on tap
Moose Dog Brewing is expanding at 9626 W. Nicholas Avenue in Visalia adding more production and a tap room.The operation is located in the industrial park.
Sporting goods store heading for Visalia Mall
Retailer Hibbett Sports will open a 5000sf store in the Visalia Mall this summer.No comment from the mall management. The mall has lost a few smaller spaces recently but they insists it an opportunity to attract some new blood. The sporting goods retailer company has locations in Hanford and Manteca.
Former Mooney retail spot to be dialysis center
American Renal Associates plans to open a 21 station dialysis clinic in the former location of Anna’s Linens at 3446 S Mooney according to a site plan application filed by the company April 19. The company is the fifth largest dialysis provider the US. The company has also filed an application to build a 8000sf outpatient dialysis clinic at 5300 W Tulare Ave in Visalia, in the former Cigna building now owned by the County.The city planning commission gave approval for the project earlier this year.
New life for Orchard Walk West shopping center
Property owner and developer Donahue Schreiber has dusted off 10 year-old plans to build the Orchard Walk West shopping center, across Dinuba Blvd from their Target shopping center on the city’s north side.
The plan is to build just a 16,500 sf, phase 1 project for now with three buildings but no major anchor for now. Originally they looked to build a HomeDepot on this spot.
NEW ONLINE TOOL HELPS IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITY ZONES
GIS Mapping Tool Identifies Parcels, Zoning and More for Community Development
With a new online mapping tool, the City of Visalia is making it easier to identify eligible investment opportunities and drive community development.
“Our Geographic Information System (GIS) Department has created a new, user friendly tool to identify eligible Opportunity Zones within the City,” shared Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, City of Visalia. “The tool gives users the ability to identify eligible parcels, zoning, specific APNs, location of storm and sewer infrastructure, major streets and other pertinent GIS data.”
Opportunity Zones are a new tool for community development. Established in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Opportunity Zones provide tax incentives for investment in designated census tracts through qualified Opportunity Funds.
The City offers nearly 6,950 acres of Qualified Opportunity Zone. These areas offer a variety of possible land uses including the entirety of both the Visalia Industrial Park and Business Research Parks, numerous mapped residential sites, and various other commercial development opportunities whether it be Commercial Mixed Use, Neighborhood Commercial retail, or Office.
Furniture store seeks Hanford Mall location
The April 23 meeting of the Hanford Planning Commission is expected to approve a Conditional Use Permit to allow a furniture store, under 20,000 square feet, to be located within the Hanford Mall. Valley-based Serrano’s Furniture would be located next to Boot Barn in the former Gottschalks (Forever 21) building. Serranos would close their existing Hanford location.
Tulare to get ‘escape room”
David McAllister wants to open a Virtual Reality Arcade at 142 South K street In Tulare with “escape rooms” where patrons can solve puzzles using cues Rooms are monitored by security cameras. The space was last used by aT shirt shop.