SCVEDC Blog

Economic growth in 2025 did not come easily.

Across California, job creation slowed. Companies right-sized operations. Artificial intelligence reshaped workforce needs. Expansion decisions faced new scrutiny amid national uncertainty.

In our annual Economic Outlook Book last September, the California Economic Forecast projected that just 164 net new jobs would be created for the Santa Clarita Valley in 2025.

Instead, the SCV added 896 net jobs, 732 more than projected, due to the expansion and retention of several companies in the valley.

That outcome was not accidental.

IQVIA Laboratories maintains 350 high-quality life science jobs in the SCV at their new 134,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility.

Strong local economies don’t happen by accident—they’re built by helping existing employers stay, grow, and reinvest. That’s especially true for companies with highly specialized operations, where facility needs, regulatory timelines, and infrastructure requirements can make or break an expansion decision.

One of the best recent examples is IQVIA Laboratories (formerly Q2 Solutions), a global drug discovery and development laboratory services organization with longstanding ties to the Santa Clarita Valley. Over the years, IQVIA Laboratories has supported high-quality employment opportunities and contributed to our local economy, and when the company faced a challenge, SCVEDC worked with partners to help ensure growth could happen right here.

Unlocking Economic Potential: A Close Look at Santa Clarita Valley's Largest Employers of 2025

In a world of constant economic twists and turns, it's refreshing to pause and recognize the forces that keep our community thriving. One such driving force is the network of businesses and their employees who form the backbone of the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV). Every name on the SCV’s Largest Employers list represents hundreds – sometimes thousands – of livelihoods. Together, the top 62 organizations employ over 31,000 people locally. These employers are not just businesses; they are the heartbeats of our local economy, providing stability, innovation, and growth opportunities for the community. The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC), dedicated to fostering sustainable growth in the SCV, compiles this annual list as a narrative of the economic dynamics shaping our daily lives.

Below is an analysis of data from the regional Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) market in various aspects such as Industrial & Commercial real estate, retail, residential, hotel vacancy & occupancy, and film activity. The "SCV Market" encompasses the various areas of the City of Santa Clarita (Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, and Canyon Country), as well as the unincorporated Los Angeles County areas of Castaic, Val Verde, Stevenson Ranch, and Agua Dulce.

In the Q1 2025 Economic Snapshot for the Santa Clarita Valley, readers will gain valuable insights into the latest economic trends affecting the region. This report offers an in-depth examination of demographics, housing market conditions—including record-high home prices and rising inventory levels—and current developments in commercial real estate, particularly in the industrial and office sectors.

Congratulations to the Top Power Brokers!

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) invests not just in growing our local businesses but also in attracting great companies to the region. It focuses on industries that provide our residents with high-quality, high-paying jobs.

Bringing businesses to our community takes a combined effort from the SCVEDC and our partners in economic development, including the dedicated commercial real estate brokers who work tirelessly to get these businesses set up at the right location that works for them. Each year, we recognize the top commercial real estate brokers active in the Santa Clarita Valley whose efforts contributed the most economic impact.

Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) continues to be a vibrant hub for the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry, cementing this sector as a key economic engine for the region. A&D is one of SCV’s target industry clusters, due to the valley’s strategic location, skilled workforce, and business-friendly climate. Ongoing demand underscores how vital aerospace is to the local economy, driving investment, innovation, and high-paying jobs.

Growth and Employment Highlights (2024–2025) SCV’s A&D cluster has grown significantly. By early 2024, employment reached record levels, roughly doubling since its lowest point in 2020. In 2024 alone, the valley added 1,461 jobs, with aerospace & defense being a standout contributor. Aerospace and defense jobs are also among the region's highest-paid. In 2024, the average salary in SCV’s A&D industry was about $101,000 per worker, far above the valley’s average of ~$63,600¹. These high wages reflect the workforce's skilled nature and aerospace firms' value to the local economy.

2025 marks a major milestone for the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC)—our 15th Anniversary! Since our founding, we have worked tirelessly to attract businesses, create jobs, and strengthen Santa Clarita Valley’s (SCV) economy, making it one of the most business-friendly and economically vibrant regions in Los Angeles County.

This year’s Annual Report provides a comprehensive look at our impact, the trends shaping our local economy, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Let’s take a closer look at the past year's economic wins and the vision for the future. SCVEDC continues to focus on business assistance, business attraction and retention, community marketing, and economic information and data. Despite the numerous obstacles of the past few years, there are many bright spots; most notably, the incredible support, innovation, and resiliency of our business community.

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) was honored to host the 2025 Canadian Energy Storage Roadshow, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the future of energy solutions. This event, made possible through collaboration with the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles, showcased how foreign direct investment (FDI) and international partnerships fuel economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen our local economy.

The 2024 Santa Clarita Valley Economic Outlook explores a resilient and evolving local labor market characterized by growth in key industries, changing dynamics, and challenges in workforce retention. Employment and business expansion, workforce training initiatives, and business assistance and attraction remain a primary focus, supported by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation’s (SCVEDC) integrated approach to attracting diverse business opportunities and job creation. Here are the highlights and insights on employment and workforce trends shaping the region from the 2024 Economic Outlook Book and the 2024 Economic Outlook conference this September:

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) will be recognized by the LAEDC with a Strategic Engagement Award, honoring the SCVEDC’s impactful work in driving economic growth. This acknowledgment celebrates the SCVEDC's dedication to attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses to cultivate a diverse economic landscape and create high-quality jobs for the community.

Adding to this year’s achievements, Santa Clarita was ranked in the lowest cost tier in the Kosmont-Rose Institute's annual 2024 Cost of Doing Business Survey. Notably, Santa Clarita was the only city in Los Angeles County to receive this designation, underscoring its ability to offer a competitive and cost-effective environment that appeals to businesses large and small. The city's streamlined permitting processes, business support services, and access to essential resources have made it a top destination for companies looking to thrive.

Unlocking Economic Potential: A Close Look at Santa Clarita Valley's Largest Employers of 2024

In a world that often feels like a whirlwind of economic challenges and opportunities, it's always refreshing to pause and take stock of the forces that keep our communities thriving. One such driving force is the businesses and their employees that make up our diverse community. The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC), an organization dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and prosperity in the Santa Clarita Valley, once again unveils its annual Largest Employer List for the Santa Clarita Valley. This list, combined with our Economic Outlook data book, helps shine a light on the vibrant economic landscape of our unique corner of Southern California.

Santa Clarita Valley, CA – The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) is pleased to announce that Ondre Seltzer, who has been serving as the Interim President & CEO since earlier this year, has been unanimously selected by the Board of Directors hiring committee to take on the role permanently. The decision comes after a thorough and competitive search process, underscoring the board’s confidence in Seltzer’s vision and leadership capabilities.

“Ondre has been a key driver in our economic development efforts, and his leadership during the interim period has been exceptional,” said SCVEDC Co-Chair John Shaffery, Founding Partner at Poole Shaffery. “His ability to build meaningful partnerships and navigate complex economic challenges makes him the ideal person to lead SCVEDC into the future. He’s consistently proven himself to be a dynamic leader who understands the unique needs of Santa Clarita Valley’s businesses and its community.”

Below is an analysis of data from the regional Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) market in various aspects such as Industrial & Commercial real estate, retail, residential, hotel vacancy & occupancy, and film activity. The "SCV Market" encompasses the various areas of the City of Santa Clarita (Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, and Canyon Country), as well as the unincorporated Los Angeles County areas of Castaic, Val Verde, Stevenson Ranch, and Agua Dulce.

For a downloadable PDF of the charts and brief summaries of our Q2 2024 Economic Snapshot click here:      

As part of its ongoing effort to promote international investment into the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), and to facilitate export opportunities for SCV companies, SCVEDC recently participated in two major investment conferences: SelectLA hosted by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), as well as the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C.

These investment conferences are a crucial component of SCVEDC's comprehensive strategy to attract a diverse range of investors, both domestically and internationally, who are interested in expanding their operations into the dynamic and thriving business environment of the SCV. By actively engaging with potential investors at major conferences like SelectLA and the SelectUSA Investment Summit, SCVEDC aims to showcase the SCV as a prime location for business growth and development, highlighting the region's business-friendly policies, strategic location, skilled workforce, and abundance of money-saving incentives. Through these efforts, SCVEDC is actively fostering a conducive environment for both domestic and foreign companies to establish and expand their presence in the SCV, ultimately driving economic growth and prosperity in the region. 

Curious about how Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) benefits the Santa Clarita Valley? Check out our FDI Brochure!

Congratulations to the Top 25 Power Brokers!

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) invests 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.

Bringing businesses to our community takes a combined effort from the SCVEDC and our partners in economic development, and of course, from the dedicated commercial real estate brokers who work tirelessly to get these businesses set up at the right location that works for them. Each year we recognize the top commercial real estate brokers active in the Santa Clarita Valley whose efforts contributed the most economic impact. This years list features many returning faces as well as some new ones!

Valencia, California – June 13^th 2024 – Nycote Laboratories Corporation; a leading provider of advanced coatings solutions, is proud to announce a significant expansion with the purchase of a modern detached industrial building. This strategic move underscores Nycote's commitment to meeting the growing demands of its customers and further solidifies its position as a leader in the aerospace, defense and related high tech industries.

Discover how apprenticeships can help businesses grow and thrive.

In the vibrant business landscape of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), where innovation meets opportunity, investing in talent development isn't just a strategy—it's a necessity for sustainable growth. As local businesses strive to remain competitive in an ever-evolving market, embracing apprenticeship programs emerges as a powerful solution. But what exactly is an apprenticeship, and how can it revolutionize your workforce? Let's delve into the world of registered apprenticeships and explore how they can benefit your business in more ways than one. 

For businesses expanding or new ventures, whether domestic or international, setting roots in the Santa Clarita Valley, apprenticeships present an invaluable resource. As these businesses seek to establish themselves in a new environment, the need for a skilled and adaptable workforce becomes paramount. Apprenticeships offer the perfect solution, providing a structured pathway to train individuals in line with the specific needs and requirements of the business.  

Did you know the world's leading manufacturer and developer of drumheads and shells is headquartered right here in the SCV? Also one of the valley's largest employers, Remo moved here from North Hollywood in 1997 and has grown to over 200 employees. Last week the SCVEDC Board of Directors was given a guided tour of their 220,000 SF headquarters, where at full capacity they can make over 10,000 drums a day.

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation is your one-stop resource for all your business needs

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) plays a pivotal role in fostering business growth and prosperity within the region. Our overarching goals are to support the creation of high-paying jobs for our trained workforce, stimulate economic activity that grows the regional tax base, and strategically position the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) and its businesses to better compete in the global economy. Through a multifaceted approach, the SCVEDC assists businesses with expansion within the SCV and relocation to the SCV by providing comprehensive support services tailored to their specific needs.

In a major stride towards a sustainable future, Six Flags Magic Mountain, located in the heart of the Santa Clarita Valley, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative that not only elevates its status as a premier entertainment destination but also solidifies its commitment to environmental stewardship. Breaking ground on California's largest single-site commercial solar energy project, Six Flags continues to advance their ESG-related initiatives, as well as significant contributions to both the economy and the environment. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is a framework used to evaluate an organization's business practices and performance on various sustainability and ethical issues. Magic Mountain will be the third solar installation for Six Flags, following Discovery Kingdom in Northern California and Great Adventure in New Jersey. These three sites will rank as the largest volume of onsite Solar PV systems for any U.S. organization.

Discover how apprenticeships can help businesses grow and thrive.

Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) is home to nearly 300,000 residents and a variety of companies. Thanks to a business-friendly environment, continuous positive economic growth, and local civic leadership that supports ongoing improvements to key infrastructure, our roster of fantastic companies calling the SCV home continues to grow.

Employers across the country are grappling with workforce and recruitment challenges. SCV boasts a highly educated workforce and benefits from access to workforce pipelines in neighboring markets within LA County. In addressing the workforce needs of businesses in SCV, the local community, including academic institutions and economic development organizations, are embracing opportunities for apprenticeships to harness the strength of a vibrant and diverse workforce.

The SCVEDC is proud to celebrate the recent achievements of two of its team members: Dr. Jey Wagner (President & CEO) and Ondre Seltzer (VP, Workforce & Economic Development). Dr. Wagner's appointment to the Board of Directors for Team California highlights his dedication to the growth and retention of businesses in the Golden State. With a strong background in Foreign Direct Investment and working closely with international clients, Ondre Seltzer's addition to the Maple Business Council further strengthens the SCVEDC's commitment to fostering global relationships. These appointments reflect the SCVEDC's ongoing efforts to attract and retain businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, showcasing the team's dedication to driving economic growth and innovation in the region.

After 13 years of collaborative efforts within our community, the work of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) continues to be crucial to our region's growth. SCVEDC continues to focus on business assistance, business attraction and retention, community marketing, and information and data. Despite the numerous obstacles of the past few years, there are many bright spots; most notably, the incredible support, innovation, and resiliency of our business community.

Last Tuesday night the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, released the 2023 SCVEDC Annual Report to the City Council. It featured our organization's business attraction and retention, business assistance, economic information & research, and workforce development initiatives. 

Click here for the presentation slides, and read below for more details. To see the presentation to the City Council on SCVTV, click below and skip to 12:00 minutes.

Manufacturing Day is an annual national celebration to help students discover what modern manufacturing is all about, and for years in Santa Clarita private and public organizations have come together to introduce students first-hand to how manufacturing, engineering, robotics, logistics, and quality control all play a role in shaping our world.

This year's Manufacturing Day in the SCV was certainly an iconic one. It was a day filled with excitement as the College of the Canyons unveiled its brand new Advanced Technology Center (ATC) on Thursday, October 5th. The grand opening was followed by a bustling gathering the next day, where hundreds of students and community members eagerly explored the possibilities of advanced manufacturing technologies and potential career paths.

Honoring Santa Clarita Valley's Largest Employers

The Santa Clarita Valley is a growing region with significant business opportunities, including available, state-of-the-art industrial and commercial buildings in master-planned developments. Despite the challenges of the last few years, 2023 was a successful year for many companies, and there were several attractions and expansions across our target industry clusters. Through our research for the Economic Outlook Forecast, we compiled the Santa Clarita Valley Largest Employer’s List illustrating marked growth in this past year.

The SCVEDC is excited to announce that we were recently honored for excellence in economic development by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in two distinct categories. For both the Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Initiatives and Print Brochures categories impacting populations between 200,000 - 500,000 residents, the SCVEDC was recognized for two of last year's projects: The 2022 Business Survey, and the SCV Talent Report.

Logix Federal Credit Union provides a shining example of how a cultural commitment to employee training and career development delivers stunning results: improved morale, employee retention, and promotional advancements. In a time where businesses both large and small struggle to retain and attract needed talent, Logix has found that investing in their own employees delivers bottom-line results. Though training programs cost time and money, Logix has tapped into a wealth of financial support through state-subsidized training pathways, available through resources right here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY, CA – After completion of a nationwide search, the Board of Directors for the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) announced today the promotion of current Vice President of Workforce & Economic Development, Dr. Jey Wagner, to the role of President & CEO, as successor to Holly Schroeder. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Schroeder will remain in her position through the organization’s premier event, Economic Outlook, on September 15, 2023. Schroeder is leaving to pursue new career opportunities at a local advanced manufacturer, DrinkPAK.

A New Shop Local Video Series Showcasing Local Businesses 

The City of Santa Clarita, in partnership with SCVTV, is excited to announce "Santa Clarita Spotlight," a brand-new Shop Local video series dedicated to promoting and celebrating the diverse range of local businesses within the City. The pilot episode of Santa Clarita Spotlight was released on Friday, August 18, on the City’s website at santa-clarita.com/ShopLocal and social media pages.