Santa Clarita and Vernon Named Los Angeles County’s Most Business-Friendly Cities

Rick J. Caruso, The Walt Disney Company are Honorees at LAEDC’s Annual Eddy Awards® that recognizes economic development leadership and job creation in L.A. County

[USPRwire, Wed Dec 03 2008] The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) announced recently the cities of Santa Clarita and Vernon as the winners of its annual “Most Business-Friendly City in Los Angeles County” competition at its 13th Annual Eddy Awards dinner (November 17, 2008). The Eddy Awards are attended by more than 700 leaders from the business, government, and education communities.

The City of Santa Clarita emerged as the most business-friendly city in LA County for the cities with more than 50,000 residents. Santa Clarita does not assess a utility user tax, allowing businesses to save up to five percent or more on their electric, telephone, water, and gas bills, and it has recently been designated as a State of California Enterprise Zone. Santa Clarita offers its businesses and residents a highly educated workforce, available land for development, site selection assistance, and expedited plan reviews and permit processing.

It is also a thriving center for industry clusters such as aerospace manufacturing, bio-medical, entertainment, and technology.

CNN/Money Magazine calls this city one of the Best Places to Live in California. They also boast the distinction of having the most

“Outstanding New Economic Developer of the Year” on their staff, according to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and have been recognized numerous times for their award-winning marketing materials. Santa Clarita was also named a finalist for the LAEDC’s Most Business Friendly City award in 2006 and 2007.

Finalists for this category this year included the cities of Cerritos, Glendale, Long Beach, and Pasadena.

The City of Vernon was selected as the winner for the category of 50,000 and fewer residents. Vernon provides its own water and natural gas service, fiber optic system, and its own electric utility company with rates that are consistently ten to 40 percent lower than those outside the City.

Vernon does not have a utility user tax and its redevelopment agency has spent nearly $40 million on infrastructure improvements and land for economic development.

The City offers a “one stop” service counter where questions regarding zoning requirements, building codes and/or public works can be answered. Vernon also boasts the distinction of being named Most Competitive among 12 other industrial cities (six in Southern California and six in other states), according to the Kosmont Companies business costs analysis report.

Vernon is home to several major brand names including Farmer John, Seven for All Mankind, BCBG, and Karen Kane. This small city of only 100 residents and more than 50,000 employees is home to companies who manufacture everything from hot dogs to haute couture. Finalists for this category also included Culver City, Santa Fe Springs, La Mirada, and Monrovia.

“We’re delighted to present our third annual award to these very deserving cities,” said Bill Allen, LAEDC president and CEO. “The cities of Santa Clarita and Vernon best represent what can be achieved when our city governments work side by side with the business community to create business-friendly environments here quality jobs can grow.

Famed real estate developer Rick Caruso was named as the individual honoree and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) as its corporate honoree.

Disney is the highest ranking Fortune 500 firm headquartered in Los Angeles County, employing more than 10,000 people and contributing more than $3.6 billion to the economy of Southern California.
In 2004, Caruso’s company unveiled plans for an investment of one billion dollars in new retail destinations in California, the largest single retail development program in the nation. His new family of projects is expected to generate $80 million annually in new taxes for state and local governments as well as 11,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs.

“Rick Caruso continues to push the bounds of the retail experience,” said Bill Allen, LAEDC president and CEO. “His lifestyle centers have played a key role in boosting tourism for L.A. County in addition to creating thousands of jobs for Angelenos. We are proud to honor Rick for his unwavering commitment to L.A. County through his philanthropic contributions, civic engagement, and economic leadership.”


For the full story visit:
http://www.mayocommunications.com/2008%20NewsReleases/NR-245-2008-MBFCWinners11-17-08FINAL.htm

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