SCVEDC Blog

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.

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.

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?

Working in Santa Clarita: Big Names, Big Jobs

When it’s time to take your career to the next level, there’s a misconception that you’ve got to start by packing your bags.

After all, if you want to make it big in business, you’ve got to move to a big, hustle-and-bustle city like New York City or Chicago or Los Angeles, right? Or else live nearby and waste hours of your life commuting back and forth to work.

The Ripple Effect: New Development = Job Creation

Pretend for a moment you want to build a new house. What do you need?

Raw materials, certainly. Foundation, wood, brick, glass, etc. You’ll need labor, too. Someone has to design the place, transport your raw materials, and assemble them into something that won’t tip over when the big bad wolf comes around.

6 Key Factors to Consider when Selecting Commercial Real Estate

Few things in business are as stressful and monumental as setting up shop or a move. Besides the difficulty of relocating your employees, equipment, and other assets, there’s the looming threat of choosing a new location that just won’t work out…forcing yet another move.

Demand for Industrial Space Hottest in Years

The Santa Clarita Valley industrial market is heating up, with a growing number of companies acquiring new warehousing, manufacturing, and logistics space. At the same time, builders are beginning to complete some large-scale projects, creating an environment that is dynamic and rapidly changing.

SCVEDC Annual Report

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) continues its mission of strengthening companies and unifying our region’s approach to economic development. 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.

 A Smart Growth Checklist for Small to Mid-Sized Companies

Congratulations! After months (or maybe years) of hard work, your business is continuing to spread its wings and is ready to leave the proverbial nest.

The financials look good and your forecast is strong. You may still be hiring as operations grow.

The company needs a new place to call home, and there are plenty of options. Time to just pick one and move in, right? A building is a building is a building – what could possibly go wrong?

Job Creation in the New Economy

Quick -- when you think of companies that drive the engine of our economy forward, which come to mind? Apple? Google?

Like we’ve said before, it may feel like big companies are behind the wheel, but small and medium-sized companies are pulling more than their weight when it comes to hiring and growing the economy, and they have been for some time.

Los Angeles Makes the Short List for Amazon's HQ2

Today Amazon announced its list of top 20 finalists for their new headquarters, and Los Angeles was named among them. As the only West Coast location on the list, LA County came in as a strong contender for the new HQ which is expected to be housed in up to 8 million square feet of commercial buildings that are sustainable, fiber-connected, close enough to walk between and situated on 100 developable acres.

Mythbusters: Why Growth is Good

Hi there! SCVEDC Mythbusters here. Today we’re tackling a tough and persistent question: Is growing a community a good thing?

We’re no Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman but, lucky for us, debunking this myth doesn’t take a rocket scientist!

Let’s dive right in…

Valencia Recognized as One of 5 LA and OC Tech Areas to Watch in 2018

In the past year we have seen tremendous momentum as more and more tech companies are either relocating to the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), or are founding their startups here. Whether you’re an employer or employee, there are real, tangible financial advantages to setting your startup in the SCV. Others are taking notice. Earlier this week Built in Los Angeles called Valencia in the Santa Clarita Valley one of 5 emerging LA and OC tech areas to watch in 2018.

2018 - Live, Work, Play in SCV

January – a time to reflect on the previous year’s successes and set goals for the new year.  2017 was an exceptional year for the Santa Clarita Valley economy, and 2018 promises even more positive growth! Here are seven reasons for optimism:

FDA Approves Investigational Device Exemption for SetPoint Bioelectronic Therapy Clinical Study in Rheumatoid Arthritis

SetPoint Medical, a clinical-stage biomedical technology company developing an implantable bioelectronic medicine therapy for chronic inflammatory diseases, has received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a pilot trial in the U.S. for patients with drug refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SetPoint’s proprietary bioelectronic device will be surgically placed on the vagus nerve and activated based on a predetermined dosage schedule to evaluate safety and efficacy.

Construction on The Center at Needham Ranch Begins

Trammell Crow Company (TCC) and Clarion Partners have begun construction on The Center at Needham Ranch, a 54-acre, state-of-the-art industrial business park in Santa Clarita, CA. The project is the first phase of a larger 132-acre, fully entitled site approved for up to 4.2 million square feet of Class A industrial space. Phase 1 is expected to begin deliveries during the Q3 2018. A ceremonial groundbreaking event is being held on December 12 that was attended by public officials, the development team and other parties.

4 Business Resources Every Startup Needs

Since September, we’ve been posting a lot of tips and resources to help you realize your startup dreams. That’s not an accident; it’s what we’re here to do. When you succeed, our community succeeds. Startup companies help create almost all new jobs in America, and startup innovations enrich our lives.

Nine SCV Companies make the SFVBJ’s list for Fastest Growing Private Companies

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal recently announced their list of the 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies of 2017. Among the honorees are nine companies from the Santa Clarita Valley!

Read below to find out more about these expanding SCV companies:

IAC Commerce Center Celebrates the Completion of Phase 1

CBRE and IAC Properties announced the completion of the first phase of the new nine-building 1.3 million square-foot IAC Commerce Center in Valencia, California, one of the largest commercial projects in the region. As the three-building Phase1 is completed, CBRE and national developer IAC Properties welcome two tenants -- Accurate Freight and Covercraft -- to the state-of-the-art project situated in North Los Angeles County.

Two SCV Companies Expand Operations

Accurate Freight and Covercraft, two Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) companies, commit to the region and expand their operations into larger facilities. They are the first tenants in the recently completed Phase 1 of IAC Commerce Center, located off Highway 126 in the SCV.

Businesses Expanding in SCV

We are pleased to announce that a local company is expanding its footprint in the Santa Clarita Valley to accommodate business growth and another is relocating a division of its company from Sylmar.

Is SCV LA County’s Best Bet for HQ2?

According to a recent article in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) could be Los Angeles County’s best hope for catching Amazon’s attention for its second headquarters, aka Amazon HQ2. With millions of square feet of developable land, a long list of money-saving business incentives, and a fast-growing economy, the SCV has already made its mark as a great location for business.

50 acre business park to break ground in Santa Clarita

New Development in the Santa Clarita Valley makes the news again as Trammell Crow Company (TCC) and Clarion Partners announce the acquisition of 54 acres of land for the development of The Center at Needham Ranch, a state-of-the-art business park in the City of Santa Clarita, CA. This project is the first phase of a larger 132-acre, fully entitled site approved for up to 4.2 million square feet of Class A industrial space. Phase 1 is scheduled to break ground in August 2017 and expected to begin deliveries during the Q3 2018.

Santa Clarita Valley - closer than you think!

Los Angeles is a huge metropolis that sprawls across Southern California, and it often seems that everything is so far away. When it comes to the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), the perception is that it takes longer to get here than other places in LA. It’s a myth we work hard to dispel—did you know that it takes SCV residents less time to get to the Hollywood Bowl than folks who live on the Westside?