Protect Your Remote Workers from Cyber Risks
You may feel bombarded by Covid-19. Wow, the escalation is almost unbelievable. We have had several clients contact us in recent days with the need to setup remote employees. Everyone wants or needs to work from home. As a result, our call volumes have increased about 40% with the vast majority being related to these changes. As we transition our clients into home work environments, we have discovered some risks we want to make everyone aware of.
17 Steps to Help Your Business Deal with Coronavirus
Social distancing is key
SCVEDC presents the following recommendations to help businesses weather the slowdown caused by coronavirus as recommended by LAEDC. As with any recommendations, we ask readers to evaluate the merit of each, based on their own organization’s needs. Businesses which are experiencing significant economic harm can contact SCVEDC for strategic assistance, confidentially and at no cost, as part of SCVEDC’s nonprofit mission. Email scvedc@scvedc.org for assistance or call our office. 661.288.4400. For local information on the Coronavirus CLICK HERE.
Spotlight: Leading Med Tech Companies that Call SCV Home
The Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) is home to a growing cluster of medical device and bioscience companies that are leading the way in the discovery and engineering of noteworthy advancements in the field. Alfred Mann made the SCV the headquarters of several cutting-edge companies, housing many of them in the Southern California Innovation Park (formerly Mann Biomedical Park) and nearby industrial centers. SCV’s high quality of life, strong training infrastructure and talented workforce are just a few factors that make our region an ideal location for medical device and bioscience companies. Let’s take a look at just a few medical device and biotech companies that call SCV home.
Santa Clarita Valley-based 24/7 Events Announces Major Expansion
24-7 Events, a nationwide event equipment rental company based in Santa Clarita, CA, announced its expansion into a newly constructed industrial property located within the Valencia Commerce Center in Valencia, Calif.
SCVEDC Receives CALED Award of Excellence
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation received a significant recognition this week from the California Association for Local Economic Development and has been honored with an Award of Excellence in their Programs Category for our LiveWorkSCV.com job board
2019 - Another Year of Growth and Development for the Santa Clarita Valley
Each year, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) compiles an annual report that details our key accomplishments that help us further our mission. Our organization gets stronger each year and is supported by a fantastic Board of Directors. This dynamic group of leaders is dedicated to the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) and we could not do what we do without them. SCVEDC remains focused on 4 key areas: business attraction & expansion, business retention, community marketing, and economic research and data.
New Development = Job Creation
New development might seem undesirable to some, but there are a wide range of positive effects it can have on the local economy. A whole host of jobs are required just to build one building: contractors, managers, engineers, and inspectors are just some of the many jobs that new development requires. However, the impact of new commercial, industrial, and standard office development on job creation reaches far beyond new construction. After all, once the development is completed it isn’t finished creating jobs. Manufacturing companies, offices and retail locations need employees. These are all things that grow the local economy and help it to thrive.
Ok Boomer – Make Way for the Rise of the Millennials
It’s a little-known fact, but Millennials make up the largest generation in the U.S. and California. In 2018 there were 11.2 million Millennials in the state and fewer than 9.3 million people in any other generation. Millennials are also the largest generation in SCV at 81,000, placing them ahead of the 76,000 Baby Boomers.
Three Ways Workplace Education Can Encourage Employees
With the constantly evolution across multiple industries and even within individual jobs, it’s no surprise that learning new skills is becoming both a requirement and expectation. It’s no longer enough to go back to school; instead, learning has become a continuous process the workforce is expected to integrate into daily operations to keep up with a business’ growing needs.
SCVEDC to Join TeamCalifornia at MD&M West
Next month the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation will join TeamCalifornia as exhibitors at Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West, the world's largest medical design and manufacturing event on February 11-13, 2020. This expo provides professionals in the industry the ability to network, swap ideas, find inspiration, overcome challenges, and source products so they can continue to develop the latest and greatest medical devices.
SCVEDC Hosts Local Companies for Roundtable on China Trade
SCVEDC was approached in early December by U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce with an invitation to coordinate an event on doing business in China. A Roundtable was convened on January 7, 2020 with business leaders of local companies that are currently exporting to China or are interested in learning how they can expand their trade into this country. The venue also gave businesses the opportunity to discuss their challenges in China trade and learn how U.S. Commercial Service can assist in global expansion.
Wayforward Technologies - An Independent Video Game Developer and Publisher in SCV
Are you a gamer, or do you know one? Chances are they're familiar with the characters and games developed by this Santa Clarita Valley company.
Five Point Holdings, LLC Announces the Sale of First Homesites at new Community in the Santa Clarita Valley
Five Point Holdings, LLC announced the sale of 781 homesites at Valencia (formerly Newhall Ranch) in the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company closed on 711 of these homesites, and the balance is anticipated to close in the first half of this year. The proceeds from the closed homesites were approximately $135 million.
January Marks Another Minimum Wage Increase in the City of Santa Clarita
Are you confused about the minimum wage increases? You’re not alone! The Santa Clarita Valley is in an especially unique situation in that the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles have two different minimum wage increase schedules which has caused confusion and challenges for many of our local employers and residents alike. The City increases its wages in keeping with the State of California’s schedule (January - December), while the County of Los Angeles has adopted a wage increase schedule based on their fiscal calendar (July - June).
Five New Year’s Resolutions for Employers
The start of a new year brings the inevitable personal New Year’s Resolutions. While those are often fleeting, this can be a great time for employers to assess their priorities and take action to build a great team. Here are my recommendations for five New Year’s Resolutions that will help strengthen your business in 2020 and beyond.
California Competes Tax Credit Application Starts in January
Have you heard about the California Competes Tax Credit? It’s a state income tax credit supporting growth of high quality jobs in California, available to businesses who want to come to, stay in, or grow in our state. Through a two-phase process, businesses apply and compete for this credit during three application periods each fiscal year.
Social Media Builds…
When it comes to Social Media and Digital Marketing for your business, the amount of information can feel overwhelming. Post this not that, target this audience, use this platform instead of that one, etc. How do you break through the chatter to figure out what really matters in terms of driving business and brand awareness? Just as you as a business owner, manager, or employee get bombarded with different aspects of social media, so do your consumers and clients.
SCVEDC attends Meet the Consultants in Sacramento, California
TeamCalifornia, a statewide non-profit with a focus on marketing California as a great location for business, hosted Meet the Consultants in Sacramento, California on November 5 and 6, 2019. This two day event offered economic development organizations (EDOs) from across the state opportunities for learning from and networking with top site consultants who gave presentations on a wide variety of topics such as California competitiveness, foreign direct investment, incentives, trends in advanced manufacturing, and labor and workforce.
Are high electricity costs forcing you to consider moving your company out of state? We have some good news for you! Southern California Edison (SCE) has reauthorized their Economic Development Rate (EDR) to attract, retain and expand businesses throughout their territories in California, offering a 12% discount on your energy bill over a 5-year period.
Emergency Preparation: Getting Ready for an External Disaster
How to Create a Positive Mental Health Environment in the Workplace
Previously, we examined the employer’s role in work-life balance for their employees, but we don’t want to stop there. We want to take it one step further to an individual level and look at someone who often lets their own needs fall to the wayside: the business owner themselves.
SCV’s Growth Means More (and Better) Jobs for Residents
If you’ve driven out the 14 or 126 highways recently, you have probably noticed the amount of development and construction along those corridors. And if you’re on Facebook, you’ve probably noticed that some people aren’t happy about that. I’d like to share why this growth is beneficial to the Santa Clarita Valley economy and the people who live here.
The Impact of Health on the Workplace
It’s not exactly a shocking revelation that leading a healthy lifestyle can improve your physical and mental well being, but did you know that it can also have a profound effect on your performance at work, as well? Recently, we’ve begun to see companies incentivize employees with wellness programs, access to onsite workout facilities or discounted health club memberships, and mindfulness/meditation training to not only improve productivity, but also increase employee satisfaction.
Inc. Magazine announced its annual list of 5000 fastest growing private companies, and included in the list are eight Santa Clarita Valley-based companies: Hennessey Consulting (290), Hardcore Fitness Boot Camp (506), Beverly Hills Teddy Bear (1016), Lief Labs (1022), Scorpion (1665), Agilisium Consulting (1873), Med Tech Solutions (2577), and KRG Tecnhologies (4252).
The Employer’s Role in Work-Life Balance
As we’ve discussed before, the growing millennial workforce places a premium on flexible schedules, the ability to work remotely, and communication and mentorship from management. And one of the most important factors they’ve identified is having a sense of work-life balance; that is, the ability to work while still having the freedom and time to pursue outside activities.
fDi Magazine named Santa Clarita an American City of the Future
Like all businesses that have chosen to locate in the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), foreign companies are attracted by the region’s business-friendly approach, abundance of land, high quality of life, modern facilities and infrastructure, talented workforce and strong local economy. Additionally, SCV’s proximity to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which are ranked the #1 and #2 ports by cargo volume in North America, make it an ideal location for international businesses.
SCV Means Business: Trends in Manufacturing with ITT and King Henry’s Inc.
In case you missed it, over the summer SCVEDC president and CEO Holly Schroeder was able to sit down with a few local leaders to discuss how choosing to locate in the Santa Clarita Valley set them up for success. As they both have ties to the Advanced Manufacturing industry, they shared what current trends they’re experiencing and what to expect moving forward.
S.T.R.E.A.M Expo Returns to Teach Innovation for MFG Day
October 3-4 marks the 5th annual MFG Day where industry leaders come together to educate students about careers in the advanced manufacturing industry. This is the second year SCVEDC is partnering with S.T.R.E.A.M. and other local organizations like College of the Canyons and William S. Hart School District to bring a two-day event for both parents and students to focus on the future of innovation.
The Santa Clarita Business Incubator Spotlight
One of the greatest local resources we have for startups is the Santa Clarita Business Incubator. A partnership between the City of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons, and the Small Business Development Center, the Business Incubator has helped local entrepreneurs kickstart their businesses through networking opportunities, low cost office space, and access to partnerships with local legal and financial services, all while establishing roots in the SCV to create high-quality jobs for the community.
Millennials and Startups in SCV
We’ve discussed before how Santa Clarita is one of the top tech areas to watch in LA and OC and a hot place for startups to call home. Considering millennials are outpacing former generations in the number of businesses being started and their current exodus to the suburbs, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen a resurgence in the interest in startups locally.
