Santa Clarita Named Los Angeles County’s Most Business-Friendly City for 2008 by Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation

The City of Santa Clarita is the most business-friendly city in Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The award was presented to the City of Santa Clarita at the 13th annual Eddy Awards at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills.

The City of Santa Clarita was recognized among a highly competitive group of cities with populations over 50,000, including Pasadena, Cerritos, Glendale, and Long Beach.

“We are honored to be named Los Angeles County’s most business friendly city for 2008. In today’s complex and competitive business climate, Santa Clarita and its many business-focused organizations are doing everything we can to ensure companies are successful in our community. We will continue to work diligently with business partners to ensure our City’s practices help businesses thrive, while providing our residents with opportunities to work locally,” commented City of Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar.

Businesses in Santa Clarita have a competitive advantage thanks to policies and programs that create “The Santa Clarita Advantage.” These business benefits include:

– As a business friendly City, Santa Clarita does not assess a business
license fee nor does it assess a utility user tax, allowing businesses to
save up to five percent or more on their electric, telephone, water, and
gas bills.
– Businesses within the Santa Clarita Enterprise Zone enjoy state income
tax savings that can reduce or virtually eliminate their state income tax.
– Santa Clarita offers its businesses a highly educated workforce,
available land for development, site selection assistance, and expedited
plan reviews and permit processing.
– The Newhall area of Santa Clarita has been designated as a
Redevelopment Project Area providing opportunities for innovative financing
and improvements.
– The Sheriff’s Business Alliance program provides proactive training
and response specifically for businesses at no cost.

The City of Santa Clarita has been recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally as a best-in-class organization for its economic development programs, including the following:

– “Best Economic Development Program” in the state by the California
Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) for the City’s Tourism
program.
– “Best City for Industrial Development in Los Angeles County” by the
Los Angeles Business Journal.
– Awarded the Helen Putman Award for the Film and Tourism programs as
specialized economic development by the League of California Cities.
– Awarded the first place Savvy Award for Top Creative Marketing for the
Film and Tourism programs by City, County, Communications, and Marketing
Association (3CMA).
– Recognized as “One of the Top 25 Retail Markets in California” by the
California Retail Survey.

“Congratulations to the City of Santa Clarita on being selected as the Eddy Award’s 2008 “Most Business Friendly City.” Los Angeles County appreciates Santa Clarita’s successful efforts to create a positive environment where businesses can grow, prosper and provide jobs and economic vitality for the Santa Clarita Valley and our region,” commented Michael D. Antonovich, 5th District Supervisor for Los Angeles County.

Santa Clarita’s Enterprise Zone program enjoyed tremendous successes in its first year. In a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger the City reported the Santa Clarita Enterprise Zone helped more than 60 City-based businesses benefit from tax credit incentives, with vouchers for the Hiring Tax Credit, representing a potential savings of $5.6 million City of Santa Clarita businesses.

Information about the many economic development programs offered by the City can be found on the City’s main website at Santa-Clarita.com, or by visiting any one of several direct websites targeted to specific industries including: WorkSantaClarita.com; ShopCityofSantaClarita.com; SCEnterpriseZone.com; FilmSantaClarita.com and VisitSantaClarita.com.