SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Mayor’s Monthly Message

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

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

January 17

1994, 4:31 a.m. - Magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake rocks Santa Clarita Valley [video]

Mayor’s Monthly Message

By Mayor Laurene Weste

Councilmember Laurene Weste | Sunday, Apr 6, 2014

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

What’s good for business is good for Santa Clarita. This long-held City philosophy has helped Santa Clarita businesses prosper and thrive. Business owners in Santa Clarita benefit from a highly educated local workforce, and a strong, pro-business climate with support from the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, the Valley Industry Association, County of Los Angeles, Small Business Development Center, College of the Canyons, the WorkSource Center and the City of Santa Clarita.

In the City of Santa Clarita, small businesses are a priority. To help small businesses be successful, there are certain things that the City does, and there are also things the City does not do. Some things the City does not do that helps local businesses include: not assessing business license fees, utility user’s tax, gross receipts tax, a payroll tax, as well as not having any paid parking garages or paid street parking. The City doeshave a one-stop Permit Center, a 10 percent local preference for purchasing goods, and programs such as the Enterprise Zone (through the end of 2014), the State of California New Employee Hiring Credit program, the Use Tax Rebate program and the Recycling Market Development Zone program.

Local employers love the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center– a partnership among the State of California, College of the Canyons and the City that connects job seekers and employers. Hundreds of local companies have used this free service, which provides businesses with qualified candidates, customized training resources, and other assistance related to hiring and training.

These are just some of the reasons our City was named “One of the Top 20 Retail Markets in California,” (California Retail Survey, 2012), “The Most Business Friendly City in Los Angeles County” (LAEDC 2008), and one of the Top 20 Cities for Job Seekers in California (NerdWallet.com, 2014). Santa Clarita was also named the “Best City for Industrial Development” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Santa Clarita recognizes that the majority of businesses are considered small businesses, and that our small businesses contribute mightily to our economic vitality. In addition to opportunities to conduct business with the City, (check out our 10 percent local business preference program), Santa Clarita and its partners offer a variety of resources, including training programs, career fairs, seminars, networking groups, and the soon to be launched small business incubator program. For more details on these programs, please visit: SmallBusinessSantaClarita.com.

As always, I enjoy hearing from you! Please feel free to email me directly at: lweste@santa-clarita.com.

Laurene Weste is mayor of the city of Santa Clarita.

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.

2 Comments

John Milburn says:

Monday, Apr 7, 2014 at

Santa Clarita is indeed a business friendly city. The Employee Training Institute at College of the Canyons has a grant from the state Employment Training Panel (ETP) that substantially reduces the cost of training programs for eligible employers in the SCV region. Many employers currently take advantage of this program and receive high-quality training for their employees for a fraction of the actual cost. Companies can apply for their own ETP agreement or can access ETP funds through College of the Canyons.

Reply
Mandy says:

Monday, Apr 7, 2014 at

I have lived in SCV for over 15 years and I have never seen so many empty store fronts where there used to be small businesses. How does that explain how Santa Clarita is helping small businesses?

Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Opinion Section Policy

All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.

Laurene Weste | Preserving the Past, Building the Future at Hart Park

Friday, Jan 16, 2026

There are places in our community where history is not simply remembered, but carefully safeguarded and brought to life every day. William S. Hart Park is one of those rare treasures.

Pilar Schiavo | California State Budget

Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) released the following statement on Friday, Jan. 9 in response to Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed 2026–27 State Budget.

Kathryn Barger | One Year Later

Saturday, Jan 10, 2026

This week marked the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire. As I reflect on the past year and look toward what lies ahead, my message to survivors is clear: I see your pain, I respect your resilience and I remain committed to walking with you on the long road ahead.

Councilwoman Marsha McLean | New Year, New Amenities

Friday, Jan 2, 2026

As we usher in a new year, I want to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy 2026.

Ken Striplin | Happy New Year, Santa Clarita

Friday, Jan 2, 2026

It’s hard to believe 2025 is now in the rearview mirror.

Happy New Year and Becoming Father Time

Monday, Dec 29, 2025

The end of the year points out that time speeds up as you get older, or get bored, or think too much.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com


Today in SCV History (Jan. 17) 1994, 4:31 a.m. - Magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake rocks Santa Clarita Valley [video]	Lady Mustangs Power Past OUAZ On the Road A strong defensive performance by The Master's University Lady Mustangs basketball team led to a 73-45 win against OUAZ in Surprise, Ariz.	Tejon Ranch Conservancy Offers February Nature Programs The Tejon Ranch Conservancy has published its calendar of nature programs it will host in February.	Jan. 20: SUSD to Meet in Closed Session with City Regarding Santa Clarita Elementary The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.	Hart District’s Collyn Nielsen Named ACSA Negotiator of the Year The William S. Hart Union School District has announced that Dr. Collyn Nielsen, Deputy Superintendent, Human Resources, has been named the 2026 Negotiator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.	Jan. 20: City of Santa Clarita Planning Commission Plans Site Tours The city of Santa Clarita Planning Commission has scheduled a site tour of the Princessa Crossroads Specific Plan Project and a virtual tour of the Belcaro at Sand Canyon Project. These projects are expected to hold public hearings in the near future.
COC SBDC Hosting Free Webinars to Help Grow Businesses Free business training webinars are available from the College of the Canyons Small Business Development Center this January.	March 7: ‘Live From Santa Clarita, It’s Saturday Night’ SCVHS 50th Anniversary The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a unique gala on Saturday, March 7, 6-10 p.m.	Saugus High Music Clothes for Cash Fundraiser Saugus High School Instrumental Music gives back while raising much-needed funds for the high school's music program.	Feb. 10: Non-Profit Council Roundtable’s ‘Non-Profit Love Match’ at Child & Family Center Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a special Non-Profit Council Roundtable, "Non-Profit Love Match: A High-Impact Networking Experience for Professionals & Nonprofits," 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the Education Center at Child & Family Center.	Laurene Weste \| Preserving the Past, Building the Future at Hart Park There are places in our community where history is not simply remembered, but carefully safeguarded and brought to life every day. William S. Hart Park is one of those rare treasures.	Jan. 18: CBS Film Series Presents ‘Truth & Treason’ Congregation Beth Shalom offers a monthly film series that shows selected independent films one Sunday per month at 2 p.m.
CDPH Reminds Retailers, Public About Dangers of Kratom, 7-OH Products The California Department of Public Health is collaborating with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to remind consumers and retailers that products containing kratom or 7-hyrdroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, are associated with addiction, serious harm, overdose and death.	Foothill League Soccer: The Big Push Foothill League soccer is coming into a final flurry of league matches that will sort out standings.	Jan. 18: Valencia FivePoint Farmers Market Free Cooking Demonstration The Valencia FivePoint Farmers Market will offer a special live cooking demonstration and tasting on Sunday, Jan. 18.	Jan. 19: California State Parks to Offer Free Vehicle Entry on MLK Day In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California residents and visitors will receive free vehicle day-use entry to participating California state parks on Monday, Jan. 19.	Today in SCV History (Jan. 16) 1926 - Newhall Community Hospital, est. 1922, opens in larger, more modern hospital building at 6th & Spruce streets [story]	Jan. 19: Schiavo to Host MLK Day of Service, Donations Encouraged Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo will host the Third Annual MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. The event will be held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Vallet Boys and Girls Club Thomas E. Dierckman Clubhouse.
Jan. 18: Ridge Route Preservation Organization Work Day The Ridge Route Preservation Organization will host a Ridge Route Storm Clean Up Day Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7 a.m.	Jan. 17: Santa Clarita Community Hike in Quigley Canyon Open Space The city of Santa Clarita January Community Hike will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. in the Quigley Canyon Open Space, Cleardale Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.	Jan. 22: City of Santa Clarita to Break Ground on Via Princessa Park The city of Santa Clarita invites the community to celebrate the groundbreaking of Via Princessa Park on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m.	Jan. 29: ‘Teen Library Eats: Ramen Noodle Bar’ at Canyon Country Library Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library will host a "Teen Library Eats: Ramen Noodle," event Thursday, Jan. 29, 4-5 p.m. at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.	Traffic Alert Issued for SCV Water Pipeline Installation on Smyth Drive The city of Santa Clarita has issued a traffic alert for Smyth Drive in Valencia.	Jan. 23-Feb. 1: Eclipse Theatre LA Presents ‘Curse of the Starving Class’ at The MAIN Sam Shepard’s dark comedy "Curse of the Starving Class," presented by Eclipse Theatre LA, will run weekends beginning Friday, Jan. 23-Feb. 1 at The MAIN.