As we approach the end of 2021, most of our businesses have re-opened, with events and gatherings restoring slowly but surely. We have come a long way since March 2020, and people are eager to return to as close to a pre-COVID normal as possible. There are unfortunately still lingering problems from the lockdown that continue to be felt. Especially by our local employers. With normal supply chains still facing big delays, it’s more important than ever to support the local businesses and manufacturers in the SCV this holiday season.
Record breaking levels of unemployment and business closures these past 20 months have placed significant burdens on our economy. Small businesses comprise most of our local companies and support the foundation of our economy in SCV. Covid-19 did not discriminate either, affecting both large and small local employers, with a loss of 18,000 workers in May and April of 2020 alone. Injection of grant and loan funding was a welcome alleviation, such as LA County’s Regional Covid Fund and the City of Santa Clarita’s Small Business Grant Program. These programs however, never had the capacity to reach everyone in need and could not fix the problems outright. These businesses, so fundamental to the SCV economy, need our support as they recover from the troubles of 2020.
Fortunately, Santa Clarita Valley residents and local companies have proven to be quite tenacious. Brick and mortar businesses transitioned to pick-up and online ordering, to accommodate the growing popularity of hybrid office/teleworking. Economist Dr. Mark Schniepp’s overall message from the Fall Economic Outlook was positive, saying “we have already seen an increase in local traffic and residents venturing out to shop and dine in local businesses… An unrestricted economy will likely result in a surge of growth, led by consumer spending, job and income creation, business travel, leisure travel and tourism, and strong demand for public events like concerts, conferences and sporting events.”
The pandemic might not be fully behind us, but we have so much to be thankful for around the holidays this year. From Trick or Treating making a comeback, to farmers markets, festivals, and Holiday In the Park at Six Flags! The holiday season can be stressful in the best of times, and these companies need our support now more than ever. Show your neighbors some holiday cheer by buying from community employers to help recover our local economy and reinvest in the people and businesses that make our region special. Whenever and wherever you can, buy local!
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) is a unique private / public partnership representing the united effort of regional industry and government leaders. The SCVEDC utilizes an integrated approach to attracting, retaining and expanding a diversity of businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, especially those in key industry clusters, by offering competitive business services and other resources.