SCVEDC Blog

Economic Development - More Important than Ever

This is an op-ed originally published in the Signal by SCVEDC Co-Chairs Calvin Hedman and Roger Seaver.

This week is National Economic Development week and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. As we look ahead to reopening the economy, economic development is going to be more important than ever.

The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) announced today to their members that SCVEDC was awarded their prestigious 2019 Award of Excellence in the Programs category for their LiveWorkSCV.com job board. CALED’s annual competition invites economic development members to submit application in four categories, with one Award of Excellence selected for each. The timing coincides with the International Economic Development Council’s Economic Development Week, designed to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in communities everywhere.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The City of Santa Clarita is Ranked One of the Most Business-Friendly in SoCal (Again)

The Kosmont-Rose Institute’s 2018 Cost of Doing Business Survey has again ranked Santa Clarita among the best cities in Southern California.

California Hosts National Manufacturing Asset Conference

This week SCVEDC joined forces with TeamCA, a private, non-profit that markets communities across the state, as part of the Host Committee for the Industrial Asset Management Council's (IAMC) Spring Forum in Santa Barbara, CA. IAMC, the leading industrial and manufacturing real estate trade association, holds bi-annual conferences to gather national leaders in site selection, manufacturing, and economic development for relationship building, professional development, industry strategies and best practices.

Wake Up and Smell the Tax Revenue (Three 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!

Congratulations to Holly Schroeder, President & CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, for being named as one of the 200 most influential leaders by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal (SFVBJ) in its inaugural issue of "The Valley 200."

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced that it is now accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). Growing companies in the Santa Clarita Valley are encouraged to apply.

CDS Doors, manufacturer of quality cooler and freezer glass doors, is relocating to the SCV after the first of the year. The company has acquired a 50,000 square foot building in Canyon Country on Sierra Highway.

I hear it every day – CA is a tough place to do business. Some would say the worst. Sometimes I think we just believe the stories and reputation without thinking about it analytically.

Data tells another story, or at least adds more perspective and insight than the oft-quoted soundbite.

Local landscaping company Gothic Landscape has acquired a new building in the Santa Clarita Valley that will become its new Corporate Headquarters.

State Assemblymember Scott Wilk and the Santa Clarita Valley

Film industry people, studio and movie ranch owners and operators, and members of the Santa Clarita Economic Development Corporation executive committee and board gathered to tour the Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch – the land that Walt Disney first acquired in 1959.

Last week, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) announced that Logix Federal Credit Union will be moving its headquarters to the Santa Clarita Valley.

Logix Federal Credit Union — a longtime Burbank fixture with ties stretching back to the area’s aviation heyday — will relocate its headquarters to the Santa Clarita Valley, officials announced today.

The credit union, which has operated in Burbank for 78 years, confirmed its plans in an announcement Tuesday.

“After careful analysis of options that included alternate locations, as well as expansion on the current headquarters site, the Logix board determined the best long-term option is in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Dave Styler, CEO of Logix, in a statement.

Founded as the Lockheed Aircraft Federal Credit Union in 1937 to serve employees of the aircraft company, the credit union has more than 150,000 members and more than $4 billion in assets, and currently has four branches in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Logix Federal Credit Union will be moving its headquarters to the Santa Clarita Valley. Logix has acquired a 12-acre vacant parcel in the Valencia Commerce Center near the junction of Interstate 5 and State Highway 126.

Does your business pay Use Tax? If so you may be eligible to direct a large portion of your Use Tax back to Santa Clarita’s general fund for public safety, parks, libraries, infrastructure and other City services and receive a cash rebate on a portion of the Use Tax remitted to the City.