[KHTS] – A month after the soft opening on March 10, city, county and state leaders gathered at the Board of Equalization Santa Clarita District Office for a grand opening.

Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste, Assemblyman Scott Wilk and state Senator Steve Knight welcomed the BOE to the new office on Magic Mountain Parkway Thursday.

George Runner, BOE board member for the second district, also spoke at the event.

“We believe that the Board of Equalization needs to have an outward-facing presence,” he said

Previously, the closest BOE office for SCV residents was in Van Nuys. Due to redistricting, that office is being dissolved to create an office in Santa Clarita and one in Glendale.

The Santa Clarita District Office is meant to operate as a one-stop-shop for business owners and taxpayers who want to register for a permit or license, file a tax return or have tax questions answered.

The facility is also equipped with self-service kiosks for clients who want to make payments or register online.

“The whole idea is to make it as easy as possible,” Runner said.

John Kabateck, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business in California, spoke during the ceremony and acknowledged the importance of the BOE and local district office to small businesses.

The BOE understands, he said, that a thriving main street means a thriving economy.

Wilk referred to Santa Clarita as a dynamic place for business.

“Santa Clarita Valley is an incredibly dynamic place,” he said. “…It is one of the most dynamic places in California.”

Knight expressed a similar sentiment.

“You’re in a city here that’s ultra-competitive with so many industries,” he said. “Entrepreneurial spirit is vibrant here.”

The Taxpayer Service Center expects to serve about 41,000 accounts, according to a BOE press release.

To learn more about the BOE Santa Clarita District Office or to schedule an appointment, call 661-222-6000.