South Gate Council Approves Subsidy Increase for Tweedy Mile Street Fair

On Tuesday, March 26, the South Gate City Council unanimously agreed to increase the $20,000 subsidy fair agreement with the Tweedy Mile Association (TMA) by another $10,000. The subsidy has been awarded to the TMA, a merchants association of businesses within Tweedy Boulevard, in order to help with the safety and public work related costs that come with the annual three-day event.

Organizers had asked for an additional according to both city staff and councilmembers.

The possibility of not having a Tweedy Mile Street Fair, which was something that organizers warned about if no extra help was provided, was not taken lightly by the councilmembers.

“I don’t want to know a South Gate without the Tweedy Mile Street Fair,” said councilmember Jorge Morales, who along with councilmember Maria Davila, suggested the possibility of meeting the TMA’s request halfway.

The costs associated with safety and public works for the event amount to about $60,000. The city of South Gate usually covers $20,000 of the total cost. This is because the TMA repays the remaining $40,000 with funds raised from the event.

This year the city will pay an additional $10,000, but will recoup as much as $10,000 of any profit that is obtained from the event by TMA.

Traditionally the street fair breaks-even, and any profits made are reinvested into South Gate’s Tweedy Mile business district by the TMA.

Organizers insist that the benefits of the fair are not just recreational. For businesses the event is an important promotion tool that helps them grow their commerce.

“It is a great marketing event for the downtown business district,” said Angel Colon, owner of ShoePort and TMA board member. “It brings 100,000 people in front of my store and many come back”

Councilmembers appeared to be comfortable with the finances of the new agreement. The fact that the street fair tends to be financially balanced was also seen as an important factor by at least one councilmember.

“The reason I don’t have a problem [with the increase] is because they are not going to lose money,” concluded Vice-Mayor Gil Hurtado.

The street fair is expected to take place from May 31st to June 2nd. 

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