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Edith Ramirez E dith Ramirez is now in her sixth year as Economic Development Manager for the City of Morgan Hill. Respected as a passionate advocate for the City, she leads a variety of efforts from business development to downtown revitalization. Ramirez has also been active in Joint Venture Silicon Valley, including a term as chair of the organization’s Silicon Valley Economic Development Alliance, as well as the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Roundtable and the International Council of Shopping Centers. She also engages with organizations: Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Urban Land Institute (ULI) and San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research (SPUR). Previously, Ramirez served for eleven years as Senior Development Officer with the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, where she was involved in the Agency’s downtown management, housing and real estate, project management and industrial development divisions. Previously she was a community relations manager and legislative assistant for City of San Jose Vice Mayor Frank Fiscalini. Ramirez earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from San José State University. Ramirez and her husband are raising two children, and they have an adult son. “We’re excited to bring forward the Economic Development Blueprint to City Council this year. After extensive community outreach and feedback it offers a strategy for continued prosperity and economic vitality in Morgan Hill. Two promising new development prospects are on the horizon for the City: An 83-unit market rate apart- ment complex at the Sunsweet property on 3rd Street; and a 56-unit townhome proj- ect at the Hale Lumber site that will also realign Depot and Church Streets, easing traffic flow. These projects will be transfor- mative, offering residential living spaces to support existing and new businesses in our downtown neighborhood.” 26 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 gmhtoday.com