Business park expansion brings jobs to Clovis

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- An expansion of a Clovis business park means new jobs and businesses in the area.

Daniel Bond and Joseph Daggett of Gateway Engineering are walking on their future. Their half-acre of land is turning into their dream office, partly because they're designing it with their future next door neighbor-- an architect.

"Decided we would go through and do a joint venture where we'd share parking and do like architecture and make the project work well for both of us," Bond said.

Their lot is one of 44 blocks near Herndon and Minnewawa Avenues set for construction. It's phase-two of the Dry Creek Business Park expansion that's a $3 million dollar project by the city of Clovis.

"It would have been tough to do during the recession period," Bond said. "We did buy a lot, a building during that time, but we had to really watch our pennies on that one so we're looking for something nicer now. Something we can call home permanently."

The post-recession economy is a reason why the business park is now under construction. It was originally slated for expansion five years ago, but the city of Clovis couldn't get the funding until this year.

"It's a great opportunity for us as the economy is rebounding," Andy Haussler with the city said. "People are looking for opportunities to grow their businesses and this is an opportunity to do that in a great spot."

The city, through state funding, is paving the roads and infrastructure. So far, with only 14 lots claimed the city estimates they've already brought 350 jobs to this area.

Gateway Engineering hopes with the new location will come new employees too.

"The economy hurt this industry and people moved away changed businesses and it's been very tough for us to find people to fill the holes in our business," Bond said.

The city said the roads and the infrastructure will be completed by the end of this year. After that, it's up to the businesses who buy the lots to create their own buildings.