San Martin Chamber of Commerce
Building Community to Protect
San Martin’s Rural Heritage
Present Day, Nostalgia and History
S
an Martin, ‘The Jewel of South County,’ nestled
between Gilroy and Morgan Hill, is a charming rural
community with a population of 7,200 residents.
It is a quaint little town, but not a sleepy one.
With a history rich in farming, family heritage and
numerous businesses, it only made sense to establish a
Chamber of Commerce. Established in 2017, the San Martin
Chamber of Commerce (SMCoC) has grown to over 50
members. The Chamber was off with a sprint and jumped
right in to support South County nonprofit Cecelia’s Closet.
In just a few short months volunteers collected canned
goods, helped at the Octoberfest clothes drive and collected
barrels of Christmas gifts for South County children.
In January 2018, the efforts to keep San Martin “Clean
and Green” brought a reward to the Chamber with a
Commendation from Santa Clara County with the office of
Supervisor Wasserman as co-partner. Supervisor Wasserman
acknowledged the Chamber for its joint efforts on the
November 2017 Trash Bash. Together with the San Martin
Neighborhood Alliance (SMNA), Greenwaste, and volunteers
from San Jose to San Benito County, tons of trash were
collected from rural roads and waterways (photo upper right).
With the success of the first Trash Bash, and encourage-
ment from the community, it was determined that this would
be an ongoing event. The Chamber hosted a ribbon-cutting
ceremony to celebrate the March 2018 Trash Bash event.
When the scissors failed to cut the ribbon, the crowd erupted
into a roar of laughter. Sometimes it takes something like that
to bring a crowd together!
The SMCoC happily accepted the request of Charter
Member, South Bay Airstream
Adventures, to support its Grand
Opening event (photo right) in May
with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Given
the fact that the customer base for this
business is somewhat nostalgic, it is a
good business fit in San Martin.
Welcome to our newest member,
Fitz Place, offering the comfort and
charm of an English Country Inn with
private event space for large groups and
weddings. And thanks to Frantoio Grove
for maintaining our San Martin farming
heritage with the release of Frantoio
Grove's Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
News Flash!! Charter Member SunPower has partnered with
the SMCoC to save energy and provide an opportunity for
San Martin residents to save energy AND receive a $500 refund
(after tax rebate). In addition, SunPower will donate $500 to
the Chamber for each system contract. San Martin residents
should look for information coming in their mailboxes soon.
There was a lot of interest in the Chamber’s first annual
“San Martin Harvest Moon Festival” but the Chamber opted
to delay the event until the Summer of 2019. Watch for the
announcement for next summer!
South Valley Internet has offered to host the next Chamber
Mixer on October 17, 2018. Save the date and watch for news
and updates on the San Martin Chamber of Commerce at
sanmartinchamber.org.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
gmhtoday.com