SCVEDC Blog

The NEW 2020 Economic Outlook Forecast 

The economic shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic coincided almost perfectly with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation’s previously scheduled, and ultimately canceled, Economic Outlook Forecast on March 12. In the six months that have ensued, SCVEDC's economist, Dr. Mark Schniepp of California Economic Forecast has been keeping a close eye on the rapidly evolving economic impacts of the shutdown on a national, state and local level.  On September 17, 2020, Schniepp presented a revised Economic Outlook Forecast at our rescheduled virtual conference. Though an economic recovery is underway, he predicts it will proceed slowly for the rest of the year and that full recovery will be out of reach until a vaccine or cure for COVID-19 is widely available. 

Southern California Edison's Wildfire Mitigation Plan

Since many businesses experienced SCE power shutoffs last year, SCVEDC has been communicating with officials at the organization about its fire prevention and mitigation plans.

Earlier this year, Southern California Edison announced plans to inspect thousands of miles of power lines, remove trees as necessary in high-risk areas, and segment certain components of power lines as part of a $582 million Wildfire Mitigation Plan. These improvements greatly reduce the likelihood of wildfires and preemptive, public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) in SCV business parks. 

 Riedel Communications Brings North American Headquarters to SCV 

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Riedel Communications is relocating its North American headquarters to the Santa Clarita Valley. Riedel Communications designs, manufactures, and distributes innovative real-time networks for video, audio and communications. Its products are used for broadcast, pro-audio, event, sports, theatre and security applications worldwide. 

New Commercial and Industrial Development Will Help Spur Economic Recovery in SCV

The Santa Clarita Valley is growing, and that's a good thing. According to Dr. Mark Schniepp of California Economic Forecast, new commercial and industrial development and construction will help spur the economic recovery in our region.

SCVEDC BOD Members and CEO Named to Valley 200

Several members of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors have been named to the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Valley 200 list announced on July 20. Holly Schroeder, President & CEO of SCVEDC has also been recognized as a Valley 200 Icon of Influence, along with SCV business owner Cheri Fleming, CEO of Acura of Valencia and SCVEDC Board Member Tamara Gurney, President of Mission Valley Bank.

Leading Aerospace Companies that Call SCV Home

The Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) is within easy reach of Los Angeles: only 30 miles from downtown LA and 7 miles from its northern border. The fastest-growing community in Los Angeles County, the Santa Clarita Valley is home to a population of nearly 300,000 and the third largest city in LA County, the City of Santa Clarita.

The New Economic Outlook - A Slow and Bumpy Recovery on the Way?

SCVEDC recently hosted a webinar with Dr. Mark Schniepp from the California Economic Forecast to get an update on the current state of the economy and learn what has changed over the past few months. This webinar was part of a series co-hosted with the SCV Chamber and funded in part by a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. Here is a brief recap of the New Economic Outlook as presented by Dr. Schniepp:

8 Steps to Speed the Economic Recovery for All

This op-ed was originally published in the Santa Clarita Valley Signal

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. is a public-private partnership focused on growing jobs in the Santa Clarita Valley. Economic development will be more important than ever going forward, and all of our partners will play a role in the recovery of our economy.

SCVEDC and SCV Chamber Host Back2Business Webinar Series to Aid Businesses in Reopening

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the SCV Chamber of Commerce launched a webinar series in May to provide insights on many aspects that businesses need to consider as they plan strategies for rescaling and reopening. This Back2Business series, supported by a grant from Wells Fargo Foundation, uniquely engages SCV business and community leadership in sharing their experiences to date, outlook in the coming months, and practical guidance to both B2B and B2C businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley. Seven webinars were held in May.

SCVEDC CEO selected to participate in Business - Corporate/Manufacturing Working Group as part of LA County’s new Economic Resiliency Task Force

Holly Schroeder, President & CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has been invited by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to participate in the Business – Corporate / Manufacturing working group that will report to the County’s new Economic Resiliency Task Force. The Task Force met for the first time on Friday, May 8, 2020.

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.