Manteca’s pitch to lure new retail and employment opportunities to the community is delineated in the Chamber of Commerce’s new Manteca Magazine & Business Directory.

The glossy 60-page publication is making it official debut during a free chamber mixer on Thursday, Aug., 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Crystal Down’s State Farm Insurance agency office in the 200 block of North Main Street. Downs has just completed a major remodel of the building plus the adjoining structure housing The Framery as a demonstration of her confidence in downtown and the Manteca economy.

Chamber Chief Executive Officer Debby Moorhead believes the magazine makes pretty convincing arguments as to why to locate a business here or to move your family to Manteca.

And she says that argument starts with the cover photo depicting South San Joaquin Irrigation District’s Goodwin Dam on the Stanislaus River that’s framed by the chamber flag honoring Marine Corporal Charles O. Palmer II who died while serving America in Iraq.
“We’re really blessed to have SSJID and that’s the truth,” Moorhead said.

Moorhead noted the SSJID is marking its 100th anniversary this year. It’s governing boards over the years have had the foresight to secure water rights and build reservoirs and canals needed to sustain farming plus put in place the Tri-Dam Project that now after 50 years of bonds have been retired is bringing in $12 million plus a year into the district’s coffers after all expenses from the same of wholesale electricity.
“It’s pretty amazing when you think the water district was responsible for starting the chamber and even (the Manteca) Bulletin years ago,” Moorhead said.

The district also has helped Manteca set up a source of municipal surface water that can serve a population ultimately of 160,000 residents. Manteca’s population is now at 65,000.

Moorhead said there aren’t  many cities in California with that kind of water development nor in the same location as Manteca.
A graphic in the 2009 magazine illustrates that point by noting:
•Manteca is at the center of 17 million consumers, the third largest such market in the United States behind Manhattan and Los Angeles.
•The city is just 20 minutes away from the Santa Fe Railroad intermodal yard that handles 300,000 tractor trailers a year.
•It is five minutes away from the Union Pacific Railroad intermodal yard that is expanding is operations plus has a 2.2 million square foot distribution project going in next door.
•The Port of Stockton – California’s eastern most seaports – is 15 minutes away.
•The Stockton Airport is 10 minutes away with two runways including one at 11,037 feet that can handle cargo jets.
•Highway 99 – dubbed California’s “Main Street” as it carries the bulk of agriculture and distribution of goods for the state – passes through Manteca.
•The West Coast’s main Canada-to-Mexico connection – Interstate 5 – is four minutes away.
•Manteca is at the center of 1.2 million consumers in the rapidly growing Northern San Joaquin Valley market.
•Manteca is within 60 miles of San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento.
•There are two major universities, two community colleges and eight business and technical colleges within 25 minutes of Manteca.

The 17 million consumers in a 100-mile radius is one reason why distribution firms like Manteca. It also lured Bass Pro Shops to Manteca as the retailer relies on such a drawing power for its business. The store attracted a million visitors during its first five months in Manteca.

The magazine also highlights various housing and recreation opportunities among other things. There is also a directory of chamber members.

“We have had people who have received not this year’s magazine but last year’s tell us how it has everything in it that they wanted to know about the community,” Moorhead said.

The magazine – along with maps and a DVD promoting the city – is the main marketing tools the business group uses to promote Manteca. Moorhead said new maps are expected to arrive later this week.

For more information on the chamber, call 823-6121.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, e-mail dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com