Sanger Business Boom Bringing Hundreds of Jobs

Business is booming in Sanger, and it’s bringing hundreds of jobs to the city of about 25,000 people, according to city leaders.

At the site of the former Savemart Supermarket, the shelves have been empty for years.

But by early June, Statefoods Supermarket will open its doors.

City leaders have been aggressively recruiting businesses, creating a recent boom.

"They (city leaders) were very friendly, business-minded people, and made it pretty simple for us to get in here and do what we want to do," said Mufid Alamsi, owner of Statefoods Supermarket. 

The supermarket will bring with it about 90 permanent jobs.

It’s one of several business projects that have been in the works for the last few years in Sanger.

"But recently, we’re just seeing an explosion of them finally starting to open up, and we’re very excited," said Sanger Mayor Joshua Mitchell.

Mitchell said they are actively recruiting businesses by cutting the red tape and creating incentives.

    
"If you open up shop in the city of Sanger in an empty building, we’ll give you 50 percent of the city’s sales tax at the end of the year," Mitchell said. 

That was a big factor in getting the Sonic burger joint to come in, Mitchell said. Construction is already underway. 

Projects are also starting from the ground up. 

In the north end of town, ground has been broken for a Carl’s Jr. Restaurant.

Near city hall, a dental office is also weeks away from opening.     

   
"What’s happening is people are getting hired in this community. We’ve encouraged every single employer to hire local," Mitchell said. 

Across from the Sanger Business Center, there are plans to build two new medical offices.

It’s a sharp contrast from six years ago. In March of 2009, the unemployment rate was 24.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Now, it’s just about cut in half at 12.4 percent in March of 2015, with recent progress.

  
"Looking at it within a two-year cycle, for example, I can point to at least 400 [added] jobs," said Dan Spears, manager of community and economic development in Sanger. 

In the south end of town, the expansion of two major corporations–Pittman Farms and California TrusFrame–have brought about 100 permanent jobs since the start of the year, according to Spears.

  

Many residents say they would like to see other kinds of businesses come to town. The mayor responds that there is still a lot of work to be done to bring businesses such as department stores, and that will come with growth.