BUSINESS WATCH:Fireworks sales benefit youth

This week, Costa Mesa will be one of only five cities in Orange County permitting the sale of fireworks. And few people are happier about that than Phil D’Agostino.

The Estancia High School principal, whose school has reserved eight fireworks stands around the city, said the sales on the first week of July are one of Estancia’s top fundraisers every year. The stands, operated by booster clubs for sports and other extracurricular activities, bring in money for equipment, uniforms, travel, tournament entry fees and even professional development for coaches.

“Almost every athletic and co-curricular group on campus benefits from fireworks sales,” D’Agostino said. “So we’re very grateful that the city of Costa Mesa celebrates the Fourth of July in this way.”

Costa Mesa, along with Stanton, Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Buena Park, is one of the handful of places in Orange County where people can sell and purchase their own fireworks. Still, it’s hardly a city enterprise. All fireworks stands in Costa Mesa must be run either by schools or by organizations that benefit youths — which means the American Youth Soccer Organization, Orange Coast College and a number of Newport-Mesa schools rake in thousands in the days before the holiday.

“The only benefit we would probably get is our portion of the sales tax,” said Judy Vickers, the city’s revenue supervisor.

City policy permits fireworks to go on sale July 1 and continue until July 4. High schools where 50% or more of the students are Costa Mesa residents may have up to eight permits — Newport Harbor High School makes the cut — while colleges and private schools are also eligible. The total number of permits allowed in a year is 40.

OCC, under the guidance of foundation director Doug Bennett, uses its fireworks stand every year to benefit the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Players and coaches work at the booth, which Bennett said routinely nets more than $10,000 a year — in part, perhaps, because of its choice location in front of Mother’s Market on 17th Street.

“It’s a pretty good area,” Bennett said. “There’s a lot of traffic in the shopping center.”