SCVEDC Blog

Evolution Through Innovation

It’s almost impossible to imagine how businesses operated 10, 20, 30+ years ago without any of the everyday technology we’ve become accustomed to. Imagine the manufacturing industry without automation and computers. The same process that currently takes a few hours probably took a couple days.

Recent Advancements in Medical Technology

Over the past two decades we’ve seen quite the revolution in terms of medical devices and manufacturing, but perhaps the most interesting part is actually the technology driving the healthcare industry today. Considering that just one hundred short years ago a simple cold could mean a death sentence, the advances from just the last decade are almost unfathomable.

Technology in Medical Manufacturing

Advances in medical device manufacturing have transformed not only what procedures we can perform safely, but also how we perform them. And while this is hardly a revelation, it’s never been at a more exciting place than it is today. The United States is currently responsible for 40% of the global medical device market and nearly 2 million jobs, with exports exceeding $41 billion in 2017 alone.

Minimum Wage Increases a Hot Topic at SCV Forum

Business leaders and HR professionals from a wide diversity of industry sectors gathered this week for a Minimum Wage Forum sponsored by Poole and Shaffery, LLP and hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) at College of the Canyons.

California Reauthorizes CA Competes Tax Credit for 2018-2019

Have you heard about the California Competes Tax Credit? It’s an 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 year.

The Making of a Race Car – Innovations in Manufacturing

At first glance, the modern race car doesn’t appear to have undergone many changes over the past couple decades, other than perhaps a fancier paint job and different sponsors plastered across the body. But take a step further into the world of race car manufacturing, and it’s clear that not only is the technology advancing, it’s setting some of the trends.

SCV-Based Mechanix Wear is Expanding to New Facility

CBRE announced that premier protective glove manufacturer Mechanix Wear, Inc. leased 93,735 square feet of space at IAC Commerce Center in Valencia. CBRE’s Craig Peters and Doug Sonderegger represented the landlord IAC Properties in this transaction. 

Nourishing Your Body – Sourcing and Manufacturing Quality Supplements

Nutrition isn’t probably what comes to mind when you hear the words “Advanced Manufacturing,” but it fits the bill when it comes to sourcing and creating dietary supplements, particularly in adhering to strict FDA regulations. Several manufacturers behind American health and wellness brands call SCV home and conduct research and development for their own brands (as well as aspiring ones) right in our own backyard!

More Lights, Camera, Action in Santa Clarita

The City of Santa Clarita saw an increase in on-location filming in Fiscal Year 2017-2018 (July 2017 to June 2018), with the Film Office recording 560 film permits and 1377 film days, which generated an estimated $33.1 million in economic impact to the local community. This represents a 2.8 percent increase in permits, an 8.9 percent increase in film days and a 9.8 percent increase to the estimated economic impact when compared to Fiscal Year 2016-2017.

2018’s Top 3 Trends in 3D Printing

Just a few short years ago, the topic of 3D printing seemed confined to engineers and scientists. Today, it’s becoming a household term as one breakthrough after another makes headlines and brings the technology one step closer to widespread availability and new applications.

Made in SCV – Paving the Way for American Manufacturing

When you think "Advanced Manufacturing," Santa Clarita Valley probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But with nearly 30 million ft of industrial and commercial property in use, and another 2 million under construction since 2015, it's clear the industry has found a home in our great valley. And who could blame them?

Logix FCU Recognized as Best In-State Credit Untion

In an article published by Forbes and Statista, a market research firm, Logix Federal Credit Union was ranked number one on their list of Best In-State Credit Unions. They even outranked the top-rated bank in California. When you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why; Logix has grown its membership by more than 70,000 people since 2011 and has nearly $5.7 billion in assets. Logix plans to relocate to a new state-of-the-art headquarters in the Santa Clarita Valley next year.

SCVEDC is Your One-Stop Resource

We’re halfway through 2018 already! Business Assistance services continues build and we’re meeting more and more of the companies in our valley, supporting jobs growth and helping our local economy flourish. In fact, we’ve already held 60 meetings with local companies and completed close to 100 assistance requests.

There’s no denying that our current society is dominated by technology. Go anywhere – the gym, the grocery store, even the park – and you’ll see countless people looking down at the screens in their hands. Even restaurants cater to the addiction, with many sporting free Wi-Fi and televisions in prominent places for their patrons to encourage them to stay longer and consume more.

The State of eSports in LA (and Why You Need to Pay Attention)

Each year, video game players across the globe compete in tournaments for prize money that tops the salaries of many professional football players.

This Time, It's Personal – 5 Digital Trends Shaping 2018

If Alexa is reading this blog post to you, you already know 2018 has seen a big shift in how businesses and consumers interact with the internet.

Vista Canyon’s First Mixed Use Structure Debuts for Broker Community

On Thursday, June 7, 2018, JSB Development showcased the first of Vista Canyon’s mixed use retail/office structures in an introduction to the SCV commercial brokerage community.

Minimum Wage Forum August 1, 2018

As of July 1, mandated minimum wages in the Santa Clarita Valley will be up to $2.25 per hour higher for businesses west of the 5 Fwy (County of LA) than for those east of the 5 (City of Santa Clarita). 

Magic Kingdom – Filming "A Wrinkle in Time" in SCV

If you're one of the 10 million people who bought a ticket to see "A Wrinkle in Time" earlier this year, you probably gaped in awe at some of the fantastic and colorful settings.

Yes, some of them were computer generated – that's par for the course on a big-budget blockbuster these days – but some scenes were shot on location (courtesy of Santa Clarita Studios) right here in Santa Clarita Valley!

BizFed Poll Ranks Santa Clarita as LA County's Most Business Friendly Location

The annual BizFed poll represents a snapshot of key issues of concern in the Los Angeles County business community. The BizFed Pulse Poll was first taken in 2008, and has for a decade asked BizFed Member associations about issues they deem most critical to the ongoing operation and growth of their business. This year, the BizFed poll received 710 responses from business leaders in more than two dozen industries throughout Los Angeles County.

Must-See TV and Movies – New and Returning Shows Filmed in Santa Clarita

Not to gush, but are you caught up on Westworld? Possibly HBO's greatest achievement since Game of Thrones, season two of the western-cum-sci-fi epic is airing RIGHT NOW.

We bring this up not because SCVEDC is getting into the business of critiquing productions, but because some of the show's breathtaking cinematography was done right here in Santa Clarita.

It's Not a Small World After All – How to Find the Right Location to Film

You've got a killer script, a crackerjack director, and Mr. George Clooney is interested in starring in the production.

But where, oh where are you going to film your movie?

You Oughta Be in Pictures – Top 3 Factors to Consider When Selecting the Ideal Film Location

Some places feel like they’re made for film.

Picture the idyllic rolling fields of New Zealand – AKA The Shire from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Or the seemingly endless, barren deserts of Tunisia, transformed by George Lucas into the planet Tatooine in Star Wars. Or Central Park, a location playing itself in any number of films from Elf to When Harry Met Sally.

Kind of a Big Deal – 2017 Transaction of the Year

Last week we talked about power brokers and the major impact they have on the communities they work with.

Today we honored our area's power brokers where we revealed the transaction that had the biggest, most positive impact on commercial real estate in our region in 2017 – our “Transaction of the Year”.

Making Big Deals Happen – The Top 5 Qualities of a Power Broker

In the world of commercial real estate, there are those who broker, and those who broker.

Here at SCVEDC, we’re invested not just in growing our community, but how it grows. What types businesses are setting up shop in our area, and what kind of jobs are they bringing? We love to fight for the good jobs, the high-paying kind that provide major opportunity right in our own backyard.

Supercharged Santa Clarita Valley

Tesla owners rejoice! Dale Donohoe of Intertex Properties is pleased to announce that a new Tesla Supercharger station is set to open by the end of the week. Located in the Bridgeport Marketplace parking lot, this charging station is the first of its kind in the Santa Clarita Valley with 24 charging stations.

CalArts Joins Forces with SCV Business Community for a Digital Expo That's Going to be Better Than Ever

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a world-class art institute in Santa Clarita, is teaming up with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC), the Santa Clarita Valley Business Journal (SCVBJ), and Pitch Globally Media at their upcoming Digital Arts Expo with a series of events to be hosted on campus during the annual Expo on Thursday, May 3, 2018. These events are part of CalArts’ continued effort to extend their reach into the local community and bring community members and business leaders to campus to showcase the phenomenal talent that is nurtured there.

Wake Up and Smell the Tax Revenue (3 Reasons Why Economic Development Matters)

How often do you think about your community’s economic development? Never, you say? Or maybe just when that alluring new business opens up shop?

We get it. It’s the job of economic development organizations to think about this all the time so you don’t have to!

But how your community’s economy develops is worth your attention every now and again. As we’ve mentioned before, growth is easy – smart growth, however, takes forward thinking and collaboration.

Nasmyth TMF Celebrates Grand Opening

Nasmyth Group, a world leader and global supplier of precision engineering solutions in the aerospace industry based in the United Kingdom, held their grand opening of a new facility in the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) on March 22. This facility will significantly expand their footprint and ability to deliver metal surface treatments to aerospace and defense clients in SCV and the United States.

The Stress Isn’t Worth It! 10 Benefits of Living Close to Work

Think about how long your workday is. If you’re counting the hours from the minute you sit down at your desk, you’re doing it wrong.

Your workday really starts the second you leave your home, and lasts until you’re back through your front door. Yes, you may only spend eight or nine hours in the office, but once you factor in the commute, what’s the grand total?