Santa Clarita Named LA County's Most Business-Friendly City for 4th Consecutive Year

BizFed Poll Ranks Santa Clarita as LA County's Most Business-Friendly Location Four Years in a Row

 

The annual BizFed Pulse Poll offers a snapshot of the issues and priorities shaping the Los Angeles County business community. First conducted in 2008, the poll has, for nearly two decades, asked BizFed member associations about the concerns most critical to the ongoing operation and growth of their businesses. BizFed’s broad regional coalition includes 245 diverse business groups representing 420,000 employers and five million employees across chambers of commerce, trade associations, business improvement districts and other Southern California business organizations.

 

For the fourth consecutive year, the City of Santa Clarita has earned the top spot as Los Angeles County’s Most Business-Friendly City, tying with the City of Los Angeles in the 2026 Pulse Poll. The result continues an exceptional record of consistency. Santa Clarita has ranked among the top three in nine of the past 10 polls and has finished No. 1 seven times, including six outright wins and this year’s shared honor.

 

What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects real-world business experience. The 2026 poll drew 427 participants representing more than 35 industries, with 59% identifying as the top decision-maker in their organization. When asked why they selected a city as the county’s most business-friendly, 70% said they do business there or know people who do.

 

At SCVEDC, we see the reasons behind that confidence every day. Santa Clarita offers companies immediate cost advantages, with no business license, gross receipts, payroll, or utility user taxes. In the 2024 Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey, Santa Clarita was also the only Los Angeles County city placed in the lowest-cost tier.

But business friendliness is about more than taxes. It is reflected in a community that welcomes investment, plans responsibly for growth and brings the public, private and education sectors together to solve problems. Through collaboration among the City of Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, SCVEDC, College of the Canyons and other regional partners, companies can access coordinated support with site selection, permitting, incentives, workforce development, expansion and other business needs.

That environment supports more than 10,000 businesses and a diverse industry base that includes aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, medical devices, entertainment, technology and professional services. It also reinforces why so many people choose to call the Santa Clarita Valley home.

Quality of life is not separate from a strong economy. It is one of its greatest advantages. Safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, open space, trails, recreation and a strong sense of community help employers attract and retain talented people. In turn, a healthy business community creates quality jobs, supports local services and gives more residents the opportunity to build careers close to home.

For companies deciding where to invest and for people deciding where to build a life, Santa Clarita offers a powerful combination of opportunity, partnership and quality of life. Four consecutive years atop the Pulse Poll demonstrate that business friendliness here is not simply a slogan, but a long-term commitment that continues to deliver results.