West Sacramento Continues Transformation as Business Applications Rise
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Business is booming in West Sacramento. This year, West Sac is on pace to break last year's number of business applications. It's a trend in the right direction that has life-long residents and new businesses feeling good about the fairly young city.
The city's 50,000 residents have gone through a transformation decades in the making.
"We took the time to do the planning and analysis to lay the groundwork literally," said Mike McGowan.
He was the first Mayor of West Sacramento. At that time, McGowan says people wanted control of their tax dollars, police, and:
"We wanted to be in control of our own destiny," said McGowan.
In 1987, West Sac was born, but a not-so-great image lingered.
"Kind of looked down on almost," said McGowan.
"Oh you don't want to go to West Sac there is a bunch of thugs over there. It's a rough part of town," he continued, reiterating things he had heard over the years.
Since then, businesses have gained confidence in West Sac. The Rivercats baseball team moved in. The Riverwalk was built, and the Barn opened.
"We had to go to work very, very fast and very, very hard and we never stopped," said McGowan.
Glynn Philips is one of those business owners.
"You want a little bang for your buck," said Philips.
He owns Rubicon Brewing Company. With an established and successful Sacramento location, Philips says he saw a need to expand outside of Sacramento in 2013.
"We needed to make more beer," said Philips.
The City of West Sacramento was supportive. The price was right, and Phillips could get moving through the permit process quickly.
"Once we opened up this place and I expanded our ability to produce, we met that demand right away," Philips explained.
They're now shipping out 4,000 to 5,000 barrels of beer a year.
"It all just worked out. The stars aligned," he said.
Phillips story is similar to many other business owners who are looking across the Sacramento River at opportunity.
"We're within walking distance of that power center, political, and economic center," said McGowan.
Some problems still remain; including income disparity and a need for quality housing. McGowan says forward is the only way to go.
"We're just scratching the surface," said McGowan. " West Sac has more potential."