SCVEDC Blog

SCVEDC HOSTS NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK CELEBRATION - MAY 4-9, 2020

SANTA CLARITA, CA – The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) joins cities nationwide to increase awareness of the positive work economic developers do to enhance local economic impact.

SCV Businesses Pursue CARES Act/COVID 3.5 Funding

With the new $484 billion coronavirus stimulus bill signed by the President today, hope is renewed for SCV businesses to obtain COVID-19 financial relief. The new bill brings $310 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with additional guarantees that a portion of the funds must be granted by smaller lenders that cater to truly small, local businesses. At least $60 billion must be granted for PPP by small banks, community financial institutions, and credit unions.

The Future of Workplaces -- Post COVID-19

Despite the fact that so much is still unknown, employers are already beginning to consider how their workplaces will look and operate after “stay at home” orders are lifted. And while the future is impossible to predict, we can already see changes in how people do work, where they do work and how workplaces are configured that might give us some insight.

SCVEDC Honors the Power Brokers of 2019

Here at the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, we’re invested not just in growing our local businesses, but attracting great companies to the region with a focus on industries that provide our residents with high quality, high paying jobs.

SCV Community Steps-Up During Coronavirus Crisis

The Santa Clarita Valley has had more than its fair share of challenges this year, and the current COVID-19 pandemic is certainly one of them. But despite it all, our tight-knit community has a reputation for stepping up and taking care of each other. From folks offering to run errands for elderly or sick neighbors to businesses finding creative solutions in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, I am in awe of how our community responds to difficult situations.

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).