Monday, October 11, 2010

Chapter Five: The North American Manufacturing Core

 

     Santa Clarita, California is considerably smaller than the North American Manufacturing Core.  The North American Manufacturing Core extends across sixteen Northern States in the United States and it produced over half of the steel that manufactured 71% of all cars.  In 2003, Fortune Magazine reported that of the 1000 top companies, 469 were headquartered in the 16 states that occupy the North American Manufacturing Core.  Santa Clarita, California is miniscule in comparison. 

     Santa Clarita’s local economy is primarily a service based economy with 42% of the businesses in the service sector. An additional 22% of businesses are in retail trade and 11% are in the finance, insurance, and real estate sector.

Here are some of the popular businesses in Santa Clarita, California.



 PRINCESS CRUISE LINES


 VALENCIA TOWN CENTER

 THE HYATT HOTEL



 SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN


 COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS

  



 City Hall

Message from the Mayor and City Council

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in what the City of Santa Clarita is doing regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Santa Clarita City Council is very committed to economic revitalization and keeping you informed. This portion of the City’s website is intended to keep the community up-to-date on what is happening with Santa Clarita and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

What's New

Updated: November 19, 2009

Median Improvements at Sierra Highway and Newhall Avenue

You may have noticed crews hard at work preparing for the installation of a new median at Sierra Highway and Newhall Avenue.

The project will reduce the width of the existing striped median and construct a landscaped median to provide three through lanes in each direction on Newhall Avenue and a bus shoulder at the south-west and north-west corners of the intersection. The project will also include Americans with Disabilities Act access ramps at the intersection.

Follow this project from start to finish and see your tax dollars in action!!!

Updated: October 1st, 2009

Grant Programs

The City and Redevelopment Agency are offering small businesses and property owners , located within the Newhall Redevelopment Project Area, exclusive opportunities to apply for and receive funding through the Newhall Redevelopment Small Business Grant and the Old Town Newhall Building Improvement Grant programs.

Updated: September 23rd, 2009

City Receives $4.6 million Competitive ARRA Award

On September 22, 2009, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the City’s proposal to fund the installation of two additional solar bus canopies and solar carports at the Transit Maintenance Facility (TMF) was one of only 43 nationwide proposals granted an award through the Transit Investments in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) competitive grant program. In fact, of the 43 awards granted by the FTA, the City’s award of $4,620,000 was the fifth largest.

TIGGER is a $100 million competitive grant program designed to award transit agencies that are pursuing cutting-edge environmental technologies to help reduce global warming, lessen America’s dependence on oil and other fossil fuels, and create green jobs

Updated: July 9th, 2009

City Project Not Selected To Receive National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award


On June 30, 2009, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released their list of recipients for awards through the Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Grant Program. Of the 814 proposals submitted, only 50 were awarded funding. Unfortunately, the City’s $2.7 million proposal to remove arundo and tamarisk from 297 acres of the Santa Clara River was not among those selected to receive an award.

City Receives “Authorization to Proceed” with First ARRA Projects


The City has received from the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) the “Authorization to Proceed” (E-76’s) with its five designated ARRA Highway Infrastructure Program projects:

  • Asphalt Roadway Rehabilitation Phase I ($1,500,000)
  • Asphalt Roadway Rehabilitation Phase II ($1,619,899)
  • Whites Canyon Road at Soledad Canyon Road Right-Turn Pocket ($1,200,000)
  • Newhall Avenue at Sierra Highway Median ($305,000)
  • Bridge Rehabilitation to Various City Bridges ($550,101)

Three of these projects, Asphalt Roadway Rehabilitation Phase I, Asphalt Roadway Rehabilitation Phase II, and the Newhall Avenue at Sierra Highway Median are currently out to bid. The two remaining projects, Whites Canyon Road at Soledad Canyon Road Right-Turn Pocket and the Bridge Rehabilitation are set to begin the bidding process within the next two weeks. Construction is expected to begin in the late summer and last through the winter 2009/2010

Updated: July 2nd, 2009

City Council Adopts Resolution to Submit Applications for Neighborhood Stabilization Competitive Grant Program and Approved the Acceptance of $174,751 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program Allocation

On June 23, 2009, the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency held a joint public hearing and adopted a resolution authorizing the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization Competitive Grant Program (NSP-2) application for an amount to be determined. 

The NSP-2 provides competitive grants to state and local governments for the purpose of assisting in the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes. The NSP-2 allows for the same eligible activities as the State Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP-1).  Those activities are as follows:

  • Establish financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed-upon homes and residential properties, including such mechanisms as soft-second, loan loss reserves, and shared-equity loans for low-and-moderate-income homebuyers;
  • Purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon, in order to sell, rent, or redevelop such homes and properties;
  • Establish land banks for homes that have been foreclosed upon;
  • Demolish blighted structures; and
  • Redevelop demolished or vacant properties (also includes using funds for site acquisition).

Submittal of the City’s NSP-1 application was authorized by the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency on June 9, 2009.

One important distinction between the programs is the federally, competitive NSP-2 requires at minimum either returning one hundred (100) abandoned or foreclosed homes back to productive use or eliminating their negative effect.

The City and Redevelopment Agency are currently exploring potential projects/activities that may qualify for funding and also be competitive at the federal level. The minimum funding threshold for applications is $5 million.

Council also approved the acceptance of the City’s $174,751 ARRA allocation through the United States Department of Justice’s Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG).  This award will be used to supplement Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) funding from the State of California. This state funding source was recently reduced in response to the state’s current budget deficit. 

These JAG funds will be used for the salaries of two Career Offender Burglary Robbery Apprehension (COBRA) detectives for a period of approximately 5 months.  The COBRA program helps the City reduce juvenile crime and prevent gang violence.
Updated: June 29th, 2009

PUBLIC NOTICE

- Notice of Public Review and Comment Period for Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP 2) Funding. Click here to view document.

Updated: June 10th, 2009

City Council Adopts Resolutions to Submit Applications for Neighborhood Stabilization Program Allocation and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Recovery Act Allocation


On June 9, 2009, the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency held a joint public hearing and adopted a resolution approving the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization Grant application for $1,187,000 in funding allocated by the State of California.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program is authorized under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 for the purpose of assisting in the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes and properties. If approved by the California Department of Housing and Development, the City will utilize these funds to acquire/redevelop demolished or vacant properties and demolish blighted structures in Old Town Newhall, as part of the long-term implementation of the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan, adopted by the City Council in December, 2005.

Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the City’s submittal of its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Recovery Act allocation of $1,565,800. If the City’s submittal is approved by the United States Department of Energy, the City will use this allocation to fund five programs:

  • Green Energy Incentive Program - $313,160 – The City is proposing to take up to the allowable amount of funds (20%) and create a business energy-efficiency program. This program would provide grants to local businesses that wish to upgrade their energy efficiency.
  • Retrofit Lighting for Bridges and Lighting at City Facilities – $550,000 – This project would replace approximately 140 existing high vapor sodium street lights with induction lighting, saving the City $45,000 per year in energy costs. Additionally, lighting at various City facilities will be retrofitted with energy efficient technology.
  • Newhall Public Library Energy Upgrades – $500,000 – This project would provide energy-efficient upgrades for the Newhall Public Library, which may include day lighting, daylight sensors, energy-efficient lighting, task-appropriate lighting, cool-roof technology, overhangs, improved glazing, night flushing of air, efficient Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning [HVAC], and improved appliances.
  • Volume Based Rate Program – $102,640 – This project would include the purchase of 35-gallon trash containers. The purchasing of these containers would result in the City’s franchised solid waste provider being able to implement a volume-based rate program citywide, which will result in an increase in the City’s diversion.
  • Ultraviolet-C Emitters for Air-Conditioned [A/C] Coils – $100,000 – This project would entail the installation of high-output C-wavelength ultraviolet (UVC) emitters at A/C heat exchange coils at various City facilities, including the Sports Complex and Newhall Community Center. These UVC emitters rid the coils of the HVAC unit of bio-film and restore and maintain near original design energy efficiency. This typically produces 10 to 20 percent in energy saving and reduced-maintenance costs.

Updated: June 8th, 2009

Small Business Administration "Doing Business in a Tough Economy" Workshop

On June 2, 2009, the City, along with Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Mike Antonovich, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Industrial Association, the Small Business Development Center, and College of the Canyons, hosted a free workshop for local small business owners to inform them of incentives available through the Recovery Act as well as various loan programs specifically engineered for small businesses provided by the United States government.

Mayor Frank Ferry kicked off the workshop which included speakers from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Statewide Certified Development Corporation. The speakers presented information regarding several loan programs and technical assistance services including specific Recovery Act initiatives. The City of Santa Clarita also made a brief presentation regarding tax incentives available through the City's Enterprise Zone.

Updated: June 2nd, 2009

City Council Approves Consolidated Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Recovery Act Allocation

On May 12, 2009, the City Council approved the City’s draft 2009-2013 Consolidated Plan for the City’s use of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Recovery Act allocation of $303,635. If the Consolidated Plan is approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City will use this allocation to fund two programs: a commercial façade improvement program and a small business development center program for local businesses.
Improvements that may qualify through the façade improvement program include: painting of building facade (unless painted within the last year - sides will be permitted if visible from the street, rear permitted if building has a rear customer entrance); signage, awnings, or exterior lighting; repair/replacement of doors or windows visible from public view; and tile, edge treatments, and other façade improvements as approved by the Agency.

For the small business development center program, funds will be utilized to provide a minimum of twenty (20) micro-grants of up to $5,000 to local, qualifying businesses to provide monetary incentives to local businesses who hire individuals of Low Moderate Income (LMI); encourage small and start-up businesses to use the programs and services offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC); and reimburse businesses for strategic investments in their business.

Updated: April 15th, 2009

Interdepartmental Recovery Act Team Established

On April 14, 2009, the City Council received a presentation outlining the steps that staff is already taking so that the maximum amount of federal dollars reach the community. The City Manager established an Interdepartmental Recovery Act Team, comprised of representatives from every City department, to identify and pursue every dollar for Santa Clarita. On a daily basis, this 16 member team is responsible for sifting through various sources of Recovery Act information, assessing the City's eligibility for specific opportunities and applying for funding.

City staff will also be working in partnership with various public agencies, business groups and non-profit organizations.  Recently, a letter was sent to various public sector and private sector entities expressing the City's desire for participation in a community-wide co-recovery effort.

Thus far, the City has been notified of $13,531,284 in formula allocations through the Recovery Act including: $5,174,650 via the Highway Infrastructure Program; $5,125,864 in Transit Capital Assistance; $1,565,800 through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program; $1,187,003 under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program; $303,635 via the Community Development Block Grant Program; and $174,332 through the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.

http://www.santa-clarita.com/recovery/

Labor Market

Santa Clarita maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Los Angeles County. The City’s unemployment rate was 2.7% in May 2007 compared to 4.4% for Los Angeles County and 4.9% for the State of California.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Santa Clarita’s local economy is primarily a service based economy with 42% of the businesses in the service sector. An additional 22% of businesses are in retail trade and 11% are in the finance, insurance, and real estate sector.

The businesses located in Santa Clarita can be categorized as small businesses with 59% employing less than 5 employees. Businesses between 5 and 9 employees account for 19% of all businesses in the City and only 5% employ in excess of 50 employees.

The amount of space Santa Clarita businesses occupy is relatively small. Close to one-half or 46% of businesses are in locations between 2,500 and 9,999 square feet with an additional 36% of businesses occupying less than 2,500 square feet.

WORKFORCE

Given the nature of Santa Clarita’s local economy, 48% of the workforce in the Santa Clarita Valley are employed in the services sector. An additional 13% of the  workforce is employed in manufacturing and 9% each are employed in the wholesale/retail trade and finance, insurance, and real estate industries.

More than one-fourth or 26% of the Santa Clarita Valley’s workforce are in professional or specialized positions while another 18% are in executive or managerial positions and 15% are in marketing or sales.

One-third or 32% of Santa Clarita Valley’s manufacturing workforce is employed in aerospace with an additional 18% in computers and electronics and 14% in biomedical manufacturing.
Nearly one-fourth or 23% of the Santa Clarita Valley’s workforce in the services sector work in consumer services with an additional 21% in education and 18% in health services. The remaining services industry employs are evenly divided among entertainment / amusement, business / computers or engineering / legal services.

Based on an independent study of 367 communities across the United States by the Kosmont-Rose Institute, cost ratings were developed in order to compare difference communities based on business taxes, telephone taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, electric taxes, and state income taxes.

Santa Clarita is ranked as Low Cost ($$) compared to the Cities of Los Angeles and Pasadena which are both ranked as Very High Cost ($$$$$). Out of 224 California cities, Santa Clarita is ranked as the 11th lowest cost city in Los Angeles County.

ECONOMY:

According to the City's 200 Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
FILM INDUSTRY

The number of filming days in 2006 increased 9% to 753 days from 2005. Additionally, filming in Santa Clarita contributed $16.7 million to the local economy.

The number of permits issued has increased from 2004. In 2006, 301 film permits were issued compared to 271 in 2004. This suggests the number of days per permit slipped from 3.3 film days per permit in 2004 to 2.5 film days per permit in 2006.

The majority of the economy impact of filming in Santa Clarita occurs in the latter half of the year. In fact, the money spent in the City steadily increases from May until it peaks in September and then a mini-peak is felt in November just prior to the holiday season.

Source: City of Santa Clarita



No comments:

Post a Comment