header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 19
1875, 1:35PM - Outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez hanged in San Jose [story]
Tiburcio Vasquez


According to a recent article in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, the Santa Clarita Valley 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.

Last month, the e-commerce retailer publicly announced that it was inviting proposals from the country’s major metropolitan areas on potential sites where the corporation could create a second headquarter campus, ideally similar to the existing HQ in Seattle.

This new campus will employ over 50,000 workers in high-paying jobs and will help Amazon handle the rapid growth it is expecting over the next decade.

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation is joining forces with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation to present a strong proposal to Amazon which includes several other potential sites in Los Angeles County. Formal proposals are due Oct. 19.

“We certainly are participating in this process, and believe that the Santa Clarita Valley is a leading location in the L.A. region, given the availability of land, workforce and business friendliness,” said Holly Schroeder, president & CEO of SCVEDC.

Amazon is seeking 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.

Amazon’s ideal location would also include a highly skilled labor force from which it can hire 50,000 new employees, particularly software development engineers. The region would also require the housing and infrastructure to support the workforce, plus good public transportation including rail lines.

Another requirement dictated by Amazon is that the site be within 30 miles of a population center with at least 1 million people, within 45 minutes of an international airport and be located near major highways. Finally, the community should have an excellent quality of life and offer culture, education and recreation opportunities.

In what they are calling a “critical decision driver,” Amazon is asking for substantial incentives from state and local government.

In exchange, Amazon touts its current 33-building campus in Seattle which has created $3.7 billion in buildings and infrastructure, 40,000-plus jobs, $43 million for the city’s public transportation system and 233,000 hotel rooms occupied last year by visitors and guests.

Additionally, the company says its presence has brought $38 billion of investment into the local economy, 53,000 jobs and numerous Fortune 500 companies or division headquarters.

So what does the Santa Clarita Valley have to offer that makes it unique? Land, a highly-skilled workforce, and an excellent quality of life.

The SCV currently has about 8 million square feet spread over several new and existing business parks.

New developments include the Center at Needham Ranch with 4 million square feet, Southern California Innovation Park, with about 1 million square feet; and Valencia Commerce Center with another 3 million square feet.

Newhall Ranch, a new development by FivePoint that was recently re-approved by Los Angeles County Supervisors, is another option. This community will be one of the most sustainable master-planned communities in the nation and will ultimately create more than 20,000 new homes for the Santa Clarita Valley, along 11.5 million square feet of office and industrial space.

Santa Clarita’s educated workforce makes it a strong contender for any company. The SCV also boasts many exceptional choices for elementary, middle school, high school, and higher education, along with workforce development and training programs offered through College of the Canyons.

A variety of entertaining activities make the Santa Clarita Valley not just a good place for business, but a good place to spend free time.

Numerous outdoor recreation areas including many beautiful parks and trails are sure to satisfy athletes and nature lovers. Those who are more “indoorsy” might enjoy some of the many shopping, dining, and cultural activities like live theater and music.

Amazon has made it clear that incentives are a big part of the selection process. In Santa Clarita Valley, business incentives exist in the form of a lighter tax burden.

There are several cost advantages to doing business in the Santa Clarita Valley. Santa Clarita has lower business tax rates and fewer utility user taxes than nearby Los Angeles, Palmdale, Pasadena, and San Fernando. Lower taxes are just one example of the City of Santa Clarita’s pro-business attitude.

Schroeder is aware that California has the perception of being not particularly business-friendly, and part of the work of the SCVEDC is to dispel that myth.

“California has been labeled as not being business friendly,” she said. “So, we need to overcome that perception. I think a company like Amazon will consider other factors. We need to emphasize the entirety of the package – the cultural element that would contribute to their success if they were in the L.A. region.”

Whatever happens, the SCVEDC is happy to have the opportunity to draw national attention to the region. Many businesses have chosen to locate their companies in the SCV because it is a great place to live, work and play. The Santa Clarita Valley is a good location for business, but beyond that, it offers its residents an unmatched quality of life.

If you are wondering if the Santa Clarita Valley could be the right location for your business, contact the SCVEDC. Our business services team can help your company hit the ground running, by fostering positive relationships with the city, county, state and federal agencies and officials who are essential to the economic development process, guiding your company through the available incentive and workforce training programs, and connecting you with your peers in your industry cluster. SCVEDC is your one-stop resource for help in growing your company.

About the SCVEDC
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation 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.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

4 Comments

  1. cBrown says:

    I like this idea, only if it is true that they are seeking highly skilled labor from within the community and not importing workers from other Countries to exploit them, by overworking them and paying them low wages as many of these tech companies do.

  2. Dee says:

    YES!!!! Give our highly qualified graduates a chance took seek great employment. Plus others within our community. Santa Clarita would be the BEST place for AMAZON !

  3. Joe says:

    45 minutes to an International Airport? That takes SCV out of the running. The only way to get to LAX in 45 minutes is to go in the middle of the night.

  4. CG says:

    I’m concerned that we are going to push current SVC home owers out of the market due to higher cost of home just like the tech companies have done in silicone valley and bay areas . You know how expenses it’s become for new young non technical people to buy in these areas. So if our kids aren’t software engineers they will be pushed out of the area and other counties working at these hi-tech companies will benefit. Just my concern.

Leave a Comment


Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1875, 1:35PM - Outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez hanged in San Jose [story]
Tiburcio Vasquez
College of the Canyons notched its first victory at the newly named Mike Gillespie Field on Saturday, winning its second straight conference series, this time over visiting Bakersfield College, by a 6-4 final score. 
Cougars Notch First Win at Mike Gillespie Field
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Master's University hit 20 3-pointers, one shy of the program record in a game, to defeat the St. Thomas Bobcats 122-91 in the second round of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship tournament.
Mustangs Advance to NAIA Sweet 16
The Master's University baseball team lost a pair of 1-run games Saturday against the Menlo Oaks in Atherton, Calif.
Mustangs Drop Three Games to Menlo
The Los Angeles County Development Authority is excited to announce that its executive director, Emilio Salas, has been appointed to a two-year term to serve as a member of the national Strategic Planning Advisory Committee for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
LACDA’s Emilio Salas Appointed to National Planning Advisory Committee
The 28th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is back with your favorite musical performers and an exciting lineup of new acts.
Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Live Music Performers Announced
REDLANDS — College of the Canyons track and field recorded a dozen top-10 finishes and established 30 new personal records while competing at the University of Redlands Invitational on March 15. 
Cougars Earn Top-10 Finishes at Redlands Invitational
There is so much to learn from different customs and cultures and you don’t need a plane ticket to experience it all.
City’s 2024 ‘Celebrate’ Lineup Released
Big Chicken, the star-powered fast casual chicken concept, which has a location in Santa Clarita, is fueling the mania for the Big Tournament with a nationwide Big Bracket Challenge.
Compete for Chance to Open Shaquille O’Neal Chicken Restaurant
California State University, Northridge’s Spring 2024 Cinematheque series will pay tribute to Hollywood casting director and producer Deborah Aquila, executive vice president and head of casting at Paramount Television Studios and CBS Studios, to mark the end of Women’s History Month on Wednesday, March 27.
Legendary Casting Director Deborah Aquila to Speak at CSUN
On Friday, March 22, the Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) at College of the Canyons will host a graduation ceremony for nine students who have completed the UAA’s pilot robotics training program.
March 22: COC’s Uniquely Abled Academy Robotics Graduation
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to announce spring has sprung at its local parks, including those in the Santa Clarita Valley.
L.A. County Parks Releases Spring Jubilee Dates
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office released the list of six productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 18 - Sunday, March 24.
‘Bosch Legacy,’ ‘CSI Vegas’ Among Six Productions Filming in SCV
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Ken Striplin | Register Now for Spring Break Camp 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the following Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.
Ocean Water Advisory Continues for L.A. County Beaches
The California Department of Motor Vehicles now offers a faster way for businesses to check that their employees have clean driving records using the new online Employee Pull Notice (EPN) Service.
DMV Launches Enhanced Digital Employer Pull Notice Service
1919 - Fire destroys abandoned second Southern Hotel, built 1878 in Newhall (corner Main & Market) [story]
Second Southern Hotel
1927 - Newhall telephone exchange, est. 1900, now serves 100 phones [story]
telephone
2003 - Lifesize sculpture honoring heroes of St. Francis Dam disaster unveiled in Santa Paula [video]
The Warning
In the first of three matches on consecutive nights in Arizona, The Master's men's volleyball team defeated Benedictine-Mesa in three sets 27-25, 28-26, 25-19.
TMU Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Benu in Arizona
Greg Herrick, the former longtime College of the Canyons women's basketball head coach who recorded 611 career wins while winning 16 conference titles, was inducted into the California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCWBCA) Hall of Fame during the organization's annual Banquet of Champions at Mt. San Antonio College on March 13.
Longtime COC Women’s Basketball Coach Herrick Enshrined in Hall of Fame
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, March 19, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd. 1st Floor, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
March 19: Planning Commission to Discuss Wiley Canyon Mixed Use Project
Attend the city of Santa Clarita's most unique egg hunt, the Splash N’ Dash at the Santa Clarita Aquatics Center, presented by Kaiser Permanente.
March 30: Dive into Spring at Splash n’ Dash Egg Hunt
String orchestras and concert bands from around the Santa Clarita Valley and Southern California will participate in the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association concert festival hosted by West Ranch High School on Tuesday, March 26 and Wednesday, March 27, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
March 26-27: SoCal School Band, Orchestra Concert Festival
SCVNews.com