SCV Business Journal May 2023

VALLEY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

VIA’s Connecting to Success is Growing

For the last 20 years, the Valley Industry Association’s deep investment in the emerging workforce has been supported by their acclaimed program, Connecting to Success (CTS). This workforce readiness program offers specialized professional skills training to the students of the William S. Hart Union High School District to help them prepare to enter the world of work.

Each year, the CTS program includes the participation of between 75 and 100 business leaders as volunteer facilitators. These business leaders are trained to deliver the curriculum to students (as many as 2800 each year). And this proven program really works! Receiving training from a business leader that could potentially be your future employer makes a profound impact.

VIA 6th Annual State of the State

The Valley Industry Association is pleased to announce our 6th Annual State of the State Luncheon. We invite you to join us on Friday, June 30 at the Dianne G. Van Hook University Center. Joining us will be The Honorable Scott Wilk, State Senator, 21st District and The Honorable Pilar Schiavo, Assemblywoman for the 40th Assembly District.

Space for this event is VERY limited –make your reservations today at www.via.org/calendar.

Questions for the legislators? Please submit them in advance to kathy@via.org

This program will be moderated by Ed Masterson of Michael Elliott & Associates, and VIA Vice Chair of Workforce Development.

VIA was honored to be approved for a Federal Appropriations Grant earlier this year to help grow and enhance the CTS Program. We are thrilled to share that the program will still include workforce readiness training, but will also expand to include special panel discussions with students from a variety of industry experts, a new pilot program for Junior High level students, as well as other new opportunities such as internships, job shadow opportunities, special project offerings, continuing CEO Forums on Education, as well as large Workforce Development events with high level speakers.

If space allows, VIA will also include additional students from local charter and private schools into the program. “Our ultimate goal is to reach every high school junior in the Santa Clarita Valley to better prepare them to successfully enter the workforce” said Kathy Norris, VIA’s CEO/President. “That’s a tall order, but we are determined to continue serving the business community by better preparing students for their futures.”

Interested in being a Facilitator or joining the program as an Industry Expert speaker? Contact Kathy Norris at (661) 294-8088 or by email: kathy@via.org

SAVE THE DATE

STATE of the STATE

2023 VIA BASH: THE FIRE & ICE BALL!

State Senator Scott Wilk, 21st District and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, 40th District

Friday, June 30, 2023

11:30 AM

11:30 a.m. Dianne G. Van Hook

University Center Members: $50.00

Non-Members: $65.00

VIA’s annual BASH event, an evening of celebration and recognition, is scheduled for Friday, November 3rd at the Hyatt Regency Valencia; Cocktail hour will begin at 6:00 PM and the Celebration and Awards will begin at 7:00 PM. Join us as we present THE FIRE & ICE BALL and transform the Grand Ballroom into an evening to remember Come help us celebrate our members and the business community and enjoy the extraordinary entertainment planned for the evening. We are excited to have D’Wilfri DanceArt & Entertainment back again bringing their passion for dance to the BASH this year. And back by popular demand the amazing voice of Terrell Edwards that will get you on the dance floor.

Tickets and sponsorships are available now – get them while they’re hot! You definitely don’t want to miss this event.

Sponsors for the 2022 VIA BASH include: City of Santa Clarita, UCLA Health, Jersey Mike’s Subs, The Signal, Santa Clarita Magazine, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, College of the Canyons, Mellady Direct Marketing, and LBW Insurance. Reserve yours today at www.via.org/via-bash/

Strategy Five: How’s Your Cash Flow?

KEN KELLER SCVBJ Contributing Writer

Cash is the oxygen that allows every company to stay alive. Your business can survive without profits for some time, but you cannot survive a day without having cash.

CEOs do not pay enough attention to cash management. They should. You should.

Many CEOs don’t understand that, “Growth sucks cash.” Even moderate growth causes many companies to run through cash at a rate faster than they can generate it.

One of the best tools to manage cash is to calculate your cash conversion cycle, which measures how long it takes between the time you layout or spend the first dollar, whether it’s on marketing, design, production or buying products until you get that first dollar (and hopefully many more), back from the sale.

I’m writing this for small and midsize business CEOs but let me share a reallife example that could frame what you need to be doing as you create a company strategy to stay laser beam focused on cash.

In the early days of Dell Computers, their cash conversion cycle was 63 days. From the time they first spent a dollar to make your computer until the time they sold that computer to you was just over two months. I know many manufacturing companies that run 90 days, some even far greater.

Finding this unacceptable, Dell focused on decreasing its cash-conversion cycle. Today, the company is running at -35 days. That’s not a typo; it does say “Minus Thirty-Five Days!”

When you are a client of Dell, they get your money 35 days before they start

What is your Cash Conversion Cycle?

spending your money assembling your computer.

How do they do that? You pay Dell in advance. Not a deposit; you pay for it all up front. Only then do they order products to start making your computer. By the time Dell pays their vendors, it’s been 35 days since they’ve had your money.

Dell has successfully changed from being a bank for you to you becoming their bank. Only you don’t get to charge interest. Or collect any fees.

As for your company, imagine a dramatic change from +63 days to -35 days, a swing of 98 days. What would that do for your cash flow? What would that do in terms of removing stress from your life?

Most companies won’t see that dramatic of a swing, but an improvement of some sort is possible with the acceptance that having this one of your top strategies will make a difference. In fact, it is a game-changer.

Consider what it would mean going from a +40 days to a +10 days … 30 days of improved cash flow means a larger bank account allowing you to reduce or

eliminate using lines of credit or other sources of cash to meet payroll and other expenses.

Start by calculating your cash conversion cycle. Take a look at how you generate cash and where and when you spend it.

I recommend purchasing an article in the Harvard Business Review by Neil Churchill and John Mullins titled “How fast can your company afford to grow.” It will provide insight into what the cashconversion cycle is really all about and aid you in calculating your own cashconversion cycle.

Cash is king and must be a top priority of every CEO.

Ken Keller is an executive coach who works with small and midsize B2B company owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs. He facilitates formal top executive peer groups for business expansion, including revenue growth, improved internal efficiencies and greater profitability. Email: Ken.Keller@strategicadvisoryboards.com. Keller’s column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of the SCVBJ. 

Living with Long COVID-19

PATRICK MOODY Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

COVID-19 usually lasts a few days or weeks. However, some people experience what’s known as long COVID-19. For those long haulers, new or lasting symptoms might continue or recur for months.

If you’re living with long COVID-19 — or any chronic condition — adjusting to life with longterm symptoms like fatigue, breathing troubles or anxiety can be a challenge. Those symptoms can affect your daily life in many ways. This advice from HelpGuide.org, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts can help you cope.

COPING WITH LONG COVID-19

Long COVID-19 is linked to many symptoms. Some of the most common include fatigue, anxiety, depression and what’s known as “brain fog.” Those symptoms can make it harder to enjoy the activities that matter to you. But you can take steps to manage them.

Connect with support Staying connected with friends and family and enjoying social activities may improve your mood and emotional well-being. A support group may be a good option too. Talking to people who have had similar experiences—and who know just what you’re going through—can help too. Look online or in your community to find support for people with long COVID-19 or with other chronic conditions.

Manage your fatigue To work on feeling better rested, find a balance between physical activity and rest. That means you shouldn’t overdo it. But exercise can boost your energy, and setting a regular pattern for getting more active can help.

Another way to manage fatigue is by getting better rest. A bedtime routine can help you unwind and improve your sleep. Try playing music or taking a hot bath. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, may also help.

Discover new ways to enjoy your life  Make sure to pursue activities that let you have some fun. Learning something new or picking up a hobby you’ve neglected can help you find joy.

Make healthy choices Limit sugar and caffeine, which may contribute to anxiety. Other steps to boost your health can help

you feel better—and may help you manage your symptoms. To help yourself stay as healthy as possible: eat a healthy diet, don’t smoke and avoid alcohol. Talk to your doctor  Let your doctor know what you are experiencing. That includes your symptoms and what makes them better or worse. Before you see the doctor, it can help to write down what you want to

tell them.

Recognize severe symptoms Seek medical help right away if you experience chest pain, trouble breathing, severe sleepiness or a significant change in weight. Get help for depression and anxiety Managing a long-term illness can affect your mood. And long COVID-19 is linked to depression and anxiety. Treatment can help. 

City Starts Town Center Outreach; Mall Future In Question

BY PERRY SMTH Signal Senior Staff Writer

Santa Clarita officials are preparing for the likelihood that the days of the Westfield Valencia Town Center mall, a fixture on the city’s west side for the past 30 years, are numbered.

And the city wants to know what the next chapter looks like for the intersections of Magic Mountain and McBean parkways, as well as Valencia Boulevard, an area the city calls Town Center.

In what is likely another sign of the times in the national struggling retail market, local officials have learned the Valencia mall is likely to suffer the fate of a number of shopping centers throughout the country in the coming months.

In a few short years, Unibail-RodamcoWestfield has gone from announcing a $100-million investment in the mall that would bring a full-service Costco and a luxury theater to a markedly different plan, as indicated by a city advertisement in Saturday’s Signal announcing an upcoming public meeting in which the city will collect public input on options for the future of Town Center.

Yessenia Carrasco, assistant general manager of the Westfield Valencia Town Center, said the company did not have a statement regarding its future plans when reached by phone Friday. She referred all questions to a corporate email address that did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

“It is two different things,” said Jason Crawford, director of community development for the city of Santa Clarita, referring to an ad that asks for the public to “help us craft a long-term vision for a reimagined Town Center in our city.”

The area identified on the map covers a number of properties, including the mall, the former site of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the Valencia Library and the courthouse, the Regal movie theater and Town Center Drive.

“One is yes, Westfield has decided that they are getting rid of all of their United States’ property, so they are either sell-

See MALL, page 11

DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Over the last few years, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has changed course from planning a $100 million investment in Valencia to potentially “walking away” from the Westfield Valencia Town Center. PHOTOS BY

The Valencia mall has seen a number of major locations leave over the last 10 years due to national challenges in the retail sector.

City Tourism Board Helps With Network, Opportunities

BY PERRY SMITH Signal Senior Staff Writer

With its proximity to the diversity of options in Los Angeles, the beauty of the beaches and history of places like Hollywood, even residents might forget how much natural beauty, entertainment and historical significance are alive right here in their backyard.

And the city of Santa Clarita’s Tourism Marketing District Board is working hard to not just let residents, but also everyone else know just how much the Santa Clarita Valley has to offer.

The tourism board, a collection of business owners and managers who work in the hospitality and events-related sectors, meets monthly to not only let businesses know about opportunities, but also to help them network, said Evan Thomason, economic development associate with the city of Santa Clarita.

“There’s a lot of success stories,” Thomason said. “It’s basically informing the hotels what attractions are coming, what events we might have coming, so the visitors to Santa Clarita contribute to our local economy.”

In addition to popular events like Concerts in the Park the city offers, the area has always been known for visitors who have come to enjoy the city’s greenbelt, trails and paseos.

But the city’s business attraction efforts are now paying off as the area has seen a significant revitalization of its film industry in recent years, and a growth in “destination” businesses like MB2 Entertainment and a growing number of local beer and wine producers.

Samantha Schmitz of Lucky Luke’s Brewing said the network she’s gained from attending the Tourism Board has been invaluable for her as a longtime Antelope Valley resident who really wanted to understand the area of their new business when she and her husband expanded into the SCV with their purchase of Wolf Creek Brewery.

The network of support in Santa Clarita has produced partnerships like helping local brewers show up in hotels, and more uniquely, according to Schmitz, a recent Four Corners collaboration,

where local brewers got together, which is not always common for competitors to do, she said.

It’s not only likes and shares of support on social media, although of course that helps, too. The public support helps raise awareness for not only her brand, but also the presence of the industry in the city, which benefits all of the brewers.

“When we did a collaboration beer with all of the breweries within Santa Clarita Valley, that got so much love and appreciation,” Schmitz said. “And it was a great talking point for the community, for outsiders looking in to see all of the breweries come together and brew a beer together.”

As the area continues to grow, revenue from local hotels’ transit occupancy tax, a small fee charged to every room in Santa Clarita that stays locally, does as well, with the city receiving nearly $5 million in revenue just from stays alone in the last year.

That revenue comes from everything from people staying the night for a visit

at the nationally known Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, or those coming to Santa Clarita for a quieter, safer “jumping off point” for an outof-town trip to see some of the sites in Los Angeles, according to city officials.

Thomason said proximity and safety are two of the many factors for why Santa Clarita is able to position itself as the gateway to Los Angeles. However, there’s a lot more to it than Santa Clarita being the first city people see when they’re heading down from the grapevine.

“Certainly we have Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, but also we’re only 20 minutes or so from Universal Studios, from Warner Brothers Studios, from Burbank Airport,” Thomason said. “We’re not that far from the beach. So what we find is that a lot of people using Santa Clarita as a home base to explore the rest of L.A. County, us being a safe city for our size, and we’re continually recognized as such.”

Lucky Luke’s Brewing led a recent collaboration with other local beermakers that resulted from local networking opportunities, according to Lucky Luke’s co-owner Samantha Schmitz. PHOTO COURTESY LUCKY LUKE’S BREWING

A Look at Commerce-Related Bills From SCV Lawmakers

BY PERRY SMITH Senior Staff Writer

Santa Clarita Valley’s legislators are working on a number of issues that could impact commerce in the SCV and beyond in the coming months.

Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo D-Porter Ranch, have all authored, introduced or co-sponsored legislation that looks at the debt ceiling, how we buy concert tickets and support for restaurants’ ability to host outdoor dining, among other areas of commerce.

Garcia

Garcia’s most recent statements to the media included support for the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, as well as stern condemnation for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s policies.

“The Limit, Save, Grow Act would return total discretionary spending to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 level in FY

2024 and cap annual growth at 1% for a decade thereafter; rescind unspent COVID relief funds; repeal most of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) energy and climate tax credit expansions; rescind the IRA’s increased Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding; make changes to energy, regulatory and permitting policies; impose or expand work requirements in several federal safety net programs; and prevent implementation of President Biden’s student debt cancellation and Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) expansion,” according to an explanation of the bill from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Garcia’s statement praised the bill’s attempt to correct “the bad spending habits we have seen in Congress,” he stated in a news release.

“The bill would suspend the debt ceiling through either March 31, 2024, or a $1.5 trillion increase from the current $31.4 trillion ceiling — whichever comes first. CBO finds the bill would save $4.8 trillion through FY 2033, with about $4.2 trillion of policy savings and $543 billion of interest savings.”

Wilk

Frustrated by the “monopoly” that Live Nation/ Ticketmaster seem to have over lives venues and ticket sales, essentially nationwide, Senate Bill 829 is slated to be discussed in the Senate Appropriations Committee, after passing the Judiciary Committee unanimously in April.

Wilk’s legislation “would prohibit the operator of an entertainment facility and a primary ticket seller from entering into a contract that provides for the primary ticket seller to be the exclusive ticket seller for the operator of the entertainment facility,” according to LegInfo.legislature.ca.gov.

“Preventing this clause would provide venues the autonomy to collaborate with other ticket sellers without the fear of retaliation from large ticket sellers,” Wilk wrote in his release.

“Live Nation/Ticketmaster has dominated the live entertainment industry since Congress approved their merging in 2010,” Wilk noted in a news release announcing the progress of SB 829 in April. “Ticketmaster sold 86% of Billboard’s Top 100 Tours in the United States in 2022. Of the total 2,498 shows, Ticketmaster ticketed 2,142 of them.

Schiavo

Schiavo introduced Assembly Bill 823 during the most recent legislative session, a bill which expands the list of eligible projects for the Clean Transportation Program to include,

among other things, roadway integrated fueling and parking surface integrated fueling projects.

The CTP, which is administered by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, provides funding for certain entities to develop and deploy innovative technologies that help the state achieve its climate change policy goals.

“As more electric vehicles are purchased by consumers, California must undergo an energy revolution to accommodate their use,” Schiavo wrote in a statement shared with The Signal via her spokeswoman Jenna Sickenius.

The idea of this bill is intended to make the largescale change called for in the state’s energy mandates easier on those who help provide the infrastructure to make those changes feasible.

“Apart from the sheer magnitude of charging infrastructure needed, not all smallbusiness owners, apartment owners or building owners can afford to accommodate vehicle-charging. AB 823 ... will expand the scope of existing clean transportation programs run by the state to include new and innovative approaches to charge electric vehicles wirelessly while driving on roads or parked. This will allow us to work toward practical solutions that help our business, workers and customers be able to get to work, businesses and home reliably and ensure our communities thrive.”

The debt ceiling, how we buy concert tickets and support for restaurants’ ability to host outdoor dining, among others.

Five Health Conditions Connected with Hearing Loss

DR. KEVIN BOLDER AuD, Audiology Associates

Healthy hearing means a healthier you! Check out this list of five common health conditions related to hearing loss to see if you could be at-risk.

1. Obesity. Studies show that people who are overweight have an increased likelihood of developing hearing loss. In fact, obesity can increase this risk by up to 27 percent. This correlation has been recorded in both adults and teenagers.

2. Diabetes. Hearing loss is twice as common in those who have diabetes. It is thought that the blood vessels and nerves in the ears are damaged due to unstable blood sugar levels.

3. Frequent slips and falls. Your ears have

many functions, including keeping you balanced! People with hearing loss are more likely to experience dangerous falls and frequent hospital visits due to improper balance.

4. Cognitive Decline or Dementia. Your ability to hear gives your brain the stimulation it needs to stay sharp and fight cognitive decline. Studies show that treating your hearing loss with hearing aids can actually delay dementia.

5. Depression. Hearing loss can affect your ability to communicate, leading to feelings of isolation and even depression. This is especially true for women who are 70% more likely than men to

experience depression.

To make sure you are maintaining your overall health and well-being it is important to receive regular hearing screenings in addition to your other doctor visits. To make an appointment with a hearing health care provider, please call Audiology Associates at 661-2841900. Patrice Rifkind, Au.D. and Kevin Bolder, Au.D are two of the best in Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley. Visit our website at www. AudiologyAssociates.net or stop by our office located at 23838 Valencia Blvd, Suite 100, Valencia, CA 91355.

We are Hearing Healthcare Excellence!

Eateries, Health and Wellness Among New Spots In City

DEVELOPING STORIES

BY PERRY SMITH Senior Staff Writer

While there may be no bigger change on the horizon for the city of Santa Clarita than the news that the Westfield Valencia Town Center is slated for change, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of smaller developments ahead, or already here.

Among the latest additions: A healthy cafe chain in Stevenson Ranch is getting a second location on the West side; and Plum Canyon is getting another popular grill spot to join a growing list of culinary offerings in the burgeoning development.

There’s also more immediate change slated for Town Center Drive, an area where the city is starting to collect public feedback from residents on what they’d like to see in their community if there’s no more Valencia mall.

New dental and medical offices continue to crop up, which continues to be an area where Santa Clarita is seeing plenty of growth.

Eateries

While the popular eatery Urbane Cafe has enjoyed a location on The Old Road in the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch since 2009, the city is now ready for its own location, which is slated for the shopping center at the intersection of Newhall Ranch Road and Rye Canyon Road.

The Ventura-based restaurant chain, which started in 2003, is now set to take up two locations at the plaza with a Chipotle and Office Depot, the addresses formerly known as 28190 and 28192 Newhall Ranch Road.

The other eatery that’s recently been approved by the city is a Fire Island Grill, a growing restaurant chain that currently has locations in Palmdale and Simi Valley.

“Inspired by causal island living, friendly people, sandy beaches, crystal blue ocean and great food, (five friends) decided to create a tropical island escape that serves island-inspired food for those of us who can’t get away on vacation just yet,” according to the restaurant’s web-

site. The menu features various types of bowls, chicken salads, sandwiches and “Island plates.”

The Fire Island Grill is joining a Plum Canyon shopping center just north of Skyline Ranch Road that already features a Piccola Osteria, a D & D FireArt Chinese Cuisine, and a C& A Cafe and Creamery, in addition to a few fast-food offerings.

Town Center

A location that prides itself on being part of the vanguard of the “nonsurgical aesthetic industry,” the Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center is opening a location near the Westfield Valencia Town Center mall, according to Jason Crawford, director of community development.

Since 2005, the company has opened more than 40 locations across the nation, according to its website, which is replete with testimonials from celebrity faces that have taken advantage of medical spa’s services. Its newest location is slated for Town Center Drive, near the Henry Mayo Health Center and a slew of other places offering help with selfimprovement, including Blo Out Lounge, Flex ‘N Burn and Knead 2 Stretch.

One of the area’s best-performing retailers, the Santa Clarita Valley’s lone

official Apple store at the Valencia mall is undergoing significant renovations, according to Crawford.

The next closest location for the tech retail giant is the Northridge Fashion Center mall.

Dental, Medical Offices

For Los Angeles County, the fields of health care and social assistance continue to see gains in employment, and the city has also seen an expansion in this area as well.

Over the last year, there’s been a 5% increase in such jobs countywide, with physician’s offices seeing a 6.2% gain, dental offices seeing a 2.1% increase and “other health practitioners” seeing an 8.6% increase.

In Santa Clarita, there’s one new dental office scheduled for 22916 Lyons Ave., just west of Newhall Avenue, where there used to be a LuvMe Brows.

Dr. Zak Dental has two SCV locations listed, as well as two in Simi Valley and one in Agoura Hills, which will now be joined by one in Newhall.

The SCV Dental & Wellness office is going into 17909 Soledad Canyon Road, which is about a quarter-mile east of Solemint Road, in Canyon Country. 

The locations at 28190 and 28192 Newhall Ranch Road are being turned into a second Urban Café location for the Santa Clarita Valley, according to city officials. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

HOSPITALITY

Continued from page 7

While city residents might not always consider themselves as living in a tourist destination, more and more people from outside the area are viewing Santa Clarita for what it is, a great place to live, and to visit, city spokeswoman Carrie Lujan said.

“Santa Clarita is known as a regional and national destination, thanks to its proximity to Six Flags, calendar of entertaining and engaging events (Concerts in the Park are right around the corner),” Lujan said, adding there are “picturesque hiking trails located in thousands of acres of pristine open space and a vibrant local economy offering unique opportunities for shopping and dining.” 

MALL

Continued from page 6

ing or walking away from them, as we’ve seen a few examples of,” Crawford said Friday in a phone interview. “So, I expect that there will be a new owner of the mall and that that will probably happen sometime soon. It could be in the next month or two.”

URW announced the sale of Connecticut and New York properties for $193 million in January. The Village in the San Fernando Valley was sold to the Kroenke Organization for $325 million. “URW’s flagship property in the area, Westfield Topanga, was not a part of the transaction,” according to a Dec. 27 news release.

“This transaction is another step in the streamlining of our U.S. regional asset portfolio as part of our wider plan to radically reduce our financial exposure to the U.S.,” according to a statement attributed to Fabrice Mouchel, CFO of URW, announcing the San Fernando Valley sale, “and demonstrates the continued investor interest in high-quality assets with strong operating performance.”

In January, The Signal reported that URW defaulted on a $195 million loan connected with its Valencia property,

citing a regional real estate outlet. The company issued a statement at the time that noted the company was working with its lenders.

The city’s purpose, Crawford said, is to let the next developer that might take over the property have an idea of what the city wants to have there, based on residents’ input.

The first public meeting is scheduled 6 to 8 p.m. May 4 in the Carl Boyer Conference Room at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd. — across the street from the mall.

“What we’re trying to do is create a vision for what that area should be,” Crawford said. “And then by putting it in a specific plan, it creates a framework for what the community’s vision is, and basically ... makes it a more expedited process for somebody to come in and build

what that vision is.”

The concept is one city planners and business officials have been discussing for about a year, he said, noting the city wanted to be proactive about the area for a number of reasons.

“This is an important area in the community. It is our town center, and we want to make sure that what gets built there is what the community wants,” he said, adding the area is zoned for mixed use, which could include residential and commercial plans. “But also, we have a state that keeps wanting to add more houses and add more apartments on any property that they can make that happen on, and so we want to ... be proactive and make sure that any development there is balanced.” 

Six Flags Magic Mountain remains a popular driver for Santa Clarita tourism every year. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

A parking lot sits empty outside of an anchor location at the mall that used to have a Sears department store.

Letter to our Members & Community

We’re almost halfway into our Centennial year, and I couldn’t be more pleased to report on our work and plans we have accomplished for you thus far. But first, I would like to start with a big thank you to each and every one of you! Thank you to all our long standing and new members for your continued loyalty, support, and commitment to the SCV Chamber.

Your energy, thoughts, and ideas are what drives and continues to strengthen and broaden our work and reach.

As some of you may know, 2023 is the SCV Chamber’s Centennial year and is full of exciting activity and opportunity for the Santa Clarita Valley. This year, we’ve already seen more businesses coming together to advocate for regional growth, to invest and grow a business-directed skilled workforce, and to advance policies and practices that accelerate a business environment and community that is welcoming to all businesses and workers.

These opportunities did not happen overnight; rather, these are achievements earned by our members through thoughtful and deliberate action. Your Chamber has many initiatives underway at this time that provide authentic reasons to be very enthusiastic about the future. Businesses continue to work with our programs to evaluate making an investment in facilities and jobs in the Santa Clarita Valley every month. Several projects are underway right now that will continue the movement of economic growth and vitality in the coming year and beyond. Your Chamber is working more than ever with regional policy partners to both grow and diversify our local economy.

While we celebrate the work achieved over the past 100 years and in 2023 so far, the remainder of the year is packed with opportunities for our entire business community. We are hosting our inaugural API Heritage Celebration at the end of this month, as well as one of the most highly anticipated and attended events for our business community, our 14th annual State of the County with Supervisor Kathryn Barger, which truly highlights why the Santa Clarita Valley is ranked top as a business-friendly region. We look forward to the return of our much-anticipated Business Expo in June, celebrating Hispanic Heritage month in September, our 39th annual golf tournament in October and saluting our veterans in November. So far this year we have had record attendance at our longstanding Business After Hours Mixers at 24/7 Events, Mercedes Benz, and College of the Canyons. We can’t wait for everyone to join us at the remainder of our mixers at Assistance League, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Princess Cruises, and Valencia Acura to close out the centennial celebrations.

We look forward to progressing our advocacy and education efforts for the greater business community. The SCV Chamber strives to ensure our workforce grows throughout our region and that we continue to lead the charge for the advancement of economic growth initiatives for the Santa Clarita Valley.

So much has changed in the past five years since our vision for the Chamber became a reality — from door-to-door outreach to back-to-back Zoom calls, from small networking gatherings to signature events with more than 300 attendees. We eagerly expect the exciting growth and new changes that are yet to come for our businesses and community at large.

Your Chamber continues to advocate, educate, and connect for the business community. We look forward to welcoming our new members who are yet to join and express our sincere gratitude for all our current and renewing members who enable us to do the good work for our community. We are here for you and look forward to you reaching out to help us in our mission!

Onwards,

Ivan Volschenk - President & CEO SCV Chamber of Commerce

A Few of the Many Benefits of Joining the SCV Chamber of Commerce

Networking

Many business owners join the SCV Chamber for networking opportunities. You’ll meet other members from our community and form business relationships. Over time, the relationships you build can lead to valuable business partnerships. Plus, if your business ever runs into trouble, you have a network to turn to for assistance.

Publicity

When you join, your business will be listed in the Chamber’s online directory, and your business could be highlighted in other Chamber publications. You can also increase your publicity by sponsoring events and advertising with our Chamber. Plus, customers think more favorably of businesses that are part of the Chamber and are 63% more likely to make a purchase from your business in the future.

Advocacy

Your SCV Chamber exists to support the interests of its members. So, if there are proposed regulations that could hurt small businesses, we will get involved. If you see that there is a problem that needs to be addressed, you can bring the issue to the Chamber. As a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, this could be your opportunity to advocate for businesses like yours.

Access to Discounts

When you join the SCV Chamber, you’ll receive access to discounts on things like shipping, office supplies and software. Plus, members may offer discounts and special rates to other members. These types of savings quickly add up and could soon repay your membership fees. And you could receive new business referrals because of being part of your SCV Chamber.

Celebrating SCV Businesses

From celebrating new businesses opening or marking special occasions and achievements, we continue to be honored being part of your celebrations.

We encourage everyone to come and support our new businesses. All our grand opening/ribbon cuttings are free and open to everyone to attend.

SCV Chamber Board Chair Becki Robb (Princess Cruises) congratulates Tri Source owner Matt Reeser on the grand opening/ ribbon cutting. Photo credit: Joie de Vivre Photographie

Congratulations to US Bank on your grand opening and celebration in April! Find out more at www.usbank.com. Thank you to all that came to support them! Photo credit: Joie de Vivre Photographie

Congratulations to Tri Source International on your grand opening and celebration in April! Find out more at www.tsioutsourcing.com. Thank you to all that came to support them!

Photo credit: Joie de Vivre Photographie

Do you have a grand opening or anniversary coming up? Email us at hello@scvchamber.com for details about hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Senior Deputy for Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Stephanie English congratulates leadership of US Bank for their grand opening/ribbon cutting. Photo credit: Joie de Vivre Photographie

Please join us at these upcoming Grand Opening/Ribbon Cuttings.

Advocacy in Action

The SCV Chamber has hit the ground running as bills are being introduced and making their way through committees. Below is a quick snapshot at details and positions the Chamber has taken thus far:

FEDERAL:

The SCV Chamber has signed onto the LIBERTY Campaign, which stands for the Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reforms This Year. It calls upon Congress to enact measures this year to improve the border and legal immigration system. It asks for Congress to look at:

• Increasing the human, physical, and technological resources along the southern border and at ports of entry.

• Instituting modern, effective, and efficient employment verification reforms.

• Significantly increasing the annual quotas for employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.

• Expanding the scope of essential worker programs, specifically allowing employers to meet temporary labor needs in non-seasonal jobs.

• Creating new visa options for international students, entrepreneurs, and other high-demand workers to help American employers meet their critical workforce needs.

STATE:

Assembly Bill 524 (Wicks) - OPPOSE

This bill exposes employers to costly litigation under the Fair Employment and Housing Act by asserting that any adverse employment action was in relation to the employee’s family caregiver status, which is broadly defined to include any employee who contributes to the care of any person of their choosing and creates a de facto accommodation requirement that will burden small businesses.

Assembly Bill 1000 (Reyes) - OPPOSED AND DEFEATED

For the third time, the SCV Chamber was part of a business coalition that helped kill AB1000, one of the wort bills for business in this legislative session. This bill will would have lead to the elimination of high paying jobs, quash critically needed housing associated with mixed use developments, increase vehicle miles traveled for heavy duty vehicles coming from California ports, incentivize frivolous litigation with a new private right of action in California law, and exacerbate supply chain issues and increase goods movement costs that will have the practical effect of increasing the cost of living for every Californian.

Senate Bill 525 (Durazo) - OPPOSE

This bill imposes significant cost on health care facilities and any employer who works with health care facilities by mandating increase in minimum wage to $25.

Senate Bill 399 (Wahab) - OPPOSE

This bill prohibits discussions regarding political matters in the workplace. Specifically, it prevents employers from requiring employees to attend “an employer-sponsored meeting” or “participate in any communications with the employer” where the purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion related to political matters.

Senate Bill 525 (Durazo) - OPPOSE

This bill imposes Specifically, it prevents employers from requiring employees to attend “an employer-sponsored meeting” or “participate in any communications with the employer” where the purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion related to political matters.

Senate Bill 703 (Niello) - SUPPORT

This bill will allow for an employee-selected flexible work schedule and relieves employers of the administrative cost and burden of adopting an alternative workweek schedule per division.

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES: Fair Work Week Ordinance

In December, the board instructed its staff to return in six months with an ordinance that would require large retailers in unincorporated areas to give employees 14 days’ notice of their work schedule. Employers would also have to provide workers with 10 hours of rest between shifts and a good faith estimate of weekly work hours. The report should be back in June.

THE VOICE OF BUSINESS

CITY TO USE SCV CHAMBER’S REFINED COUNCIL DISTRICT MAP AS PRIMARY GUIDE FOR FINAL MAP

As the submittal deadline was reached, the City of Santa Clarita received 10 draft maps from the general public to how they felt the final Council District Map should be drawn - including one from the SCV Chamber.

The SCV Chamber’s refined District Map is now being considered by the Council as the primary guide to potentially alter the original draft map. The Council will review final map edits to approve the new district boundaries.

As you know, the City currently has an at-large election system, which means that registered Santa Clarita voters elect the five City Councilmembers regardless of where the candidates reside in the City. Pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement, the City will institute districtbased elections for the City Council seats, starting with the 2024 City Council election. In this new, by-district election system, the City of Santa Clarita will be divided into five districts, and each voter within a district may cast one vote for a candidate residing within that same district.

SCV CHAMBER ADVOCATES FOR LARGEST ECONOMIC GENERATOR - SHADOWBOX STUDIOS

Last month, SCV Chamber President & CEO, Ivan Volschenk, helped lead a coalition of local businesses in support for the Shadowbox Studios project, which is proposed to be developed in Newhall.

The project was heard at the City’s Planning Commission, where more than 20 speakers - comprised of local residents and business ownersspoke in full support of the project.

Remarks were made regarding the 19 purpose-built, modern soundstages are what the film community needs here. Additional sound stages will help bolster and work cooperatively with the City’s existing movie ranches and will help provide high-quality jobs for local residents already working in the film industry.

As Shadowbox Studios Santa Clarita meets the growing need for studio space, not just in Santa Clarita but in Los Angeles County, it will also be facilitating over 2,000 full time industry jobs and generating over $1 billion of annual economic impact.

SCV CHAMBER LEADERSHIP DISCUSSES BUSINESS COMMUNITY NEEDS WITH ASSEMBLYWOMAN SCHIAVO

The SCV Chamber Executive Committee and Management team had the opportunity to sit down with Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo to discuss policy matters relevant to the business community.

Topics of conversation included economic development, jobs, housing, veterans, and ensuring a healthy business climate is maintained in the Santa Clarita Valley. The SCV Chamber team has played a crucial role in shaping policy and ensuring bill packages and policies presented at any level of government give a true representation of what Santa Clarita Valley businesses need.

The SCV Chamber is proud of its continuous advocacy efforts and fostering relationships with elected officials - federal, state, and local.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Government Affairs Council

May 10 | 10:30 am

Our Government Affairs Council convenes monthly to discuss, review and take action on policy decisions at the local, county, state and federal levels. The SCV Chamber works on behalf of its members to maintain a healthy and vibrant business climate in what has been ranked one of the most business friendly cities in California. The Chamber takes an active role in shaping legislative policies in support of business. The Chamber represents its members before local, regional, state and federal governmental entities and provides a forum for its members to develop policy positions that impact the Santa Clarita Valley business community.

Plan, Anticipate and Execute - A Roadmap to Insulate Employers from Liability

May 11 | 3:00 pm

Our Small Business Council brings you this important roadmap to insulate small businesses and employers from liability. Make sure you are informed and prepared!

Artin Sodaify, Managing Attorney at Law Firm of Artin Sodaify, will review the roadmap on how to insulate employers from liabilities.

Some of the topics that will be covered include:

1. Discrimination and its Various Forms.

2. Sexual Harassment Training, Detection and Mitigation.

3. Wage and Hour Compliance.

4. Arbitration Agreements - Pros and Cons.

Business After Hours Mixer at Assistance League

May 17 | 5:30 pm

Join us at Assistance League for our May Business After Hours Mixer, as more than 150 business representatives from across the Santa Clarita Valley join for an evening of networking.

This is your opportunity to make new connections and catch up with friends.

Remember to bring your business card for the chance to win some great prizes.

There will be complimentary valet parking for all.

Black Business Council - Heroes of Color

May 25 | 5:00 pm

Our Black Business Council is pleased to welcome David Heredia, Founder, Animator and Public Speaker for Heroes of Color, who will give insight on how the company has produced impactful programs that empower students through the arts using social-emotional learning and opportunities for entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The program helps students deepen cultural connections to heritage and history, building confidence and developing leadership skills.

14 Annual State of the County

May 31 | 11:30 am

Please join us and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger for our 14th annual State of the County.

Supervisor Barger will provide us with an exclusive update on vital issues from business and economic development to public safety and homelessness affecting the Santa Clarita Valley.

This is one of the most anticipated events for our Valley!

2023 Business Expo

June 28 | 4:00-8:00 pm

Join us as an exhibitor to engage, connect and grow your business at our valley’s BIGGEST business-to-business and businessto-consumer expo. All exhibitors and industries are encouraged to particpate. Expo is free and open to the public to attend!

To find out more information about these events or any other upcoming programming and to register go to:

www.SCVChamber.com/Events

Addressing Skill Gaps in the Labor Force

HOLLY SCHROEDER President & CEO of SCVEDC

Where are all the workers with the relevant skills my company needs? Most have heard or experienced this sentiment for years now, and it was only exacerbated by the labor challenges from the pandemic. The economic impact of shifting technology and skill requirements across almost all workforce areas continues to be a concern. There are simply more jobs available than there are workers with the requisite skills.

So how do we fix it? There are short-term solutions to this problem, such as offering higher pay for retention or increasing flexibility in the hiring process. High schools and colleges, however, are investing in comprehensive career pathways to provide real-world career experience to bridge this skill gap.

SCVEDC knows that workforce development is a top priority for SCV companies. That’s why we are working with employers and educators to increase availability and access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) and other programs geared towards career pathways.

Schools are taking proactive measures to address the growing skill gap in the labor force by providing these relevant and practical educational training opportunities that align with the needs of the job market. These efforts aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce and contribute to the nation’s economic growth, including CTE and dual-enrollment programs, workforce partnerships, nontraditional learning pathways, career counseling and advising and support for underserved populations.

Our local William S. Hart Union High School District offers 27 different career pathways through CTE, along with job-shadowing and internship opportunities. These programs are improved by the participation and input of community leaders and industry experts within our valley.

The district’s strategic plan emphasizes offering equal opportunity and access for all students and ensuring that every student graduates ready to enter the workforce or pursue a post-secondary education. If you or someone you know is passionate about helping improve the future talent of the SCV, contact Nancy

Bailey (nbailey@hartdistrict.org) for information on how to get involved.

Do you have any workforce training needs at your company? Contact us at 661-2884400 or email scvedc@scvedc.org.

Holly Schroeder is president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp., a unique private / public partnership representing the united effort of regional industry and government leaders. 

Valencia Medical Device Company Makes ‘Fastest Growing’ List

Inc. has named Valencia-based CC Wellness one of the fastest-growing private companies on the West Coast.

CC Wellness is a pharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of Class II medical devices as well as cosmetic, over-the-counter and organic products.

“This recognition is continued validation of our vision,” CC Wellness Chairman

T he L is T : h o T e L s

Marek J. Olszewski said in a prepared statement. “Our brands’ success and that of our white label partners is grounded in a Pharmacopeia-grade ISO 90001and 1345-certified process in which our high-quality ingredients are monitored closely, in-house, at every stage, in every batch... That’s why so many of our white label formulations are found in lubricants sold across the competitive intimate wellness market.”

The CC Wellness winning entry in the

third annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Pacific list highlighted “our category leadership in FDA 510(K) premarket certification, our use of the safest ingredients, and our celebration of shame-free intimate wellness as a pillar of health,” CC Wellness Chief Strategy Officer Mimi Anderson said in the company’s release. Inc. reported that the companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Pacific. 

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COC Launches New Culinary Training Program Through ‘Ready to Work’ Academy

BY DIANNE VAN HOOK Chancellor, Santa Clarita Community College District/ College of the Canyons

The culinary industry is a rapidly growing and dynamic field that requires skilled workers who can adapt to the changing trends in the industry.

COC continues to answer the need with a new workforce training program offered through the College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education (iCuE). iCuE is highly regarded among restaurant professionals equipping graduates to begin working in professional kitchens.

The new program is part of the college’s Ready to Work Academy, which helps special needs students successfully transition from education to employment. The program will prepare students for a career in the culinary industry by teaching them the fundamental skills required to excel in the field.

It will equip students with hands-on training in culinary

arts, food preparation, and presentation techniques, and also include a focus on nutrition and health.

Launched on April 10, the new culinary training program is expected to provide students with a pathway to employment in the culinary industry. It will be taught by experienced chefs who will provide students with a general understanding of the culinary arts. The curriculum will include courses on kitchen safety, cooking techniques, and food preparation.

Participants who complete the culinary training program will be prepared for entry-level positions in the culinary industry, such as server, wait staff, food service worker and other positions.

The Ready to Work Academy at College of the Canyons was established to provide training programs that help bridge the gap between education and employment. The Academy has a track record of success in providing training programs that prepare

participants for job placement.

COC and Carousel Ranch, a local equestrian therapy and vocational training program in Santa Clarita, worked together to launch the pilot Ready to Work Academy in June 2019 to prepare young adults with special needs for the next step after high school. The program provides equitable access to education and inclusion in the workforce to a population that often faces barriers to both.

College of the Canyons excels in creating partner-

ships like the Ready to Work Academy. After connecting with local companies and organizations, and working to understand their specific needs, we develop customized training programs that meet their goals and create career advancement opportunities for the local workforce.

This project has already met the needs of countless employers across the region, and we are already moving forward to create new partnerships to continue expanding the Ready to Work Academy in the future!

Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook serves as chancellor of College of the Canyons. 

Santa Clarita Stock Average

Santa Clarita Stock Average Below you will find a list of local Santa Clarita-based or prominent Santa Clarita companies used for our averages. Each month we will take the average of all these stocks and show that number. Tracking that number from month to month will give you a window into how our local company’s stocks are performing. Last month the index was 3,137.97and the average price per share was $104 59. This month the index is 3150.02 up 12.05 or .04% for an average share price of $105.00

Property Taxes — Where Does the Money Go?

BY JEFF PRANG Los Angeles County Assessor

As we move closer to the end of our fiscal year on June 30 and the closing of the Assessment Roll, which determines the amount of money set forth for vital public services, I thought it would be helpful if I broke down in general where the money goes.

The property tax revenue collected by Los Angeles County is distributed back to local governments, which include cities, schools and community colleges, special districts and redevelopment agency successor entities.

This past year, your property taxes generated an estimated $19 billion. Here’s a look at where that money goes:*

School Districts — About 40%

Funding the public school system accounts for a significant percentage of money from local property taxes. Although both the federal and state governments kick in to help foot the nation’s education bill, local school districts still rely heavily on property taxes for financial support.

Unincorporated Areas — About

24%

Communities that belong to the County

but are not part of a city and therefore the County Board of Supervisors serve as city council and the Supervisor representing the area serves as mayor. County Departments provide the municipal services.

Incorporated Cities — About 15%

Los Angeles County has 88 incorporated cities, each with their own elected mayor and city councils.

Successor Agencies — About 14% Manage redevelopment projects, make payments on enforceable obligations, and dispose of redevelopment assets and properties. Each Successor Agency has an Oversight Board that supervises its work. In Los Angeles County there are five Oversight Boards organized by Supervisorial Districts.

Special Districts — About 7% Agencies that provide services to local communities such as libraries, sanitation, water, cemeteries, etc.

Some Other Breakouts Safety

Property taxes also pay for the salaries and supplies of public safety, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, or EMTs as well as pensions of public safety workers.

Spaces

Do you like to jog, bike and hike in your off-hours? Unless funded by the state,

private donors or the U.S. government, public parks and recreation facilities are usually built and maintained with property tax revenue.

Streets

Money from property taxes goes toward maintaining most of the nation’s public streets and roadways. Property taxes also pay for routine maintenance that ensures public safety on the roads. Maintenance includes making the necessary streetlight and traffic light repairs within a county or city’s limits. Although general maintenance also includes street cleaning and patching potholes, tax dollars also are used to make improvements.

*These percentages are approximate and change slightly each year based on property values and apportionment formula. For more on apportionment, contact the auditor-controller at auditor. lacounty.gov.

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has been in office since 2014. Upon taking office, Prang implemented sweeping reforms to ensure that the strictest ethical guidelines rooted in fairness, accuracy and integrity would be adhered to in his office, which is the largest office of its kind in the nation with 1,300 employees and provides the foundation for a property tax system that generates $17 billion annually. 

TriasMD acquires Gateway Surgery Center

News release

TriasMD, a musculoskeletal management company, has announced its acquisition of Gateway Surgery Center in Santa Clarita.

The move delivers on TriasMD’s promise to expand the successful data/evidencedriven ambulatory surgery center model created by DISC Sports & Spine Center, the company said in a prepared statement.

As part of the acquisition, TriasMD becomes managing partner of the facility – to be

renamed DISC Surgery Center at Gateway – and will work closely with its physician partners to integrate DISC’s highest level of standards in the form of protocols, stateof-the-art equipment and patient care, the statement said.

“In acquiring Gateway, we saw a great existing surgical center with a lot of opportunity to strengthen and expand its offerings,” TriasMD CEO James H. Becker said in the company’s release. “Using DISC’s ASC model as the blueprint for the future of outpatient surgery, we are excited to

be delivering on our promise.”

The acquisition will also bring both a new spine service line and new surgeons to the existing multidisciplinary facility. Joining orthopedic surgeons Dr. Anand Shah and Dr. Mehul Taylor are Dr. Mark Liker and Dr. Bjorn Lobo, both of whom are prominent, board-certified neurosurgeons and leaders in minimally invasive spine care, the statement said.

“Having been in private practice for over 20 years, I’m excited to partner with DISC to expand access to minimally

invasive spine care in Santa Clarita,” said Liker. “This is a thriving community that will benefit greatly from the optimized patient experience and personalized care we will provide them in a convenient, high-quality and cost-efficient outpatient setting.”

With this new ASC acquisition in Valencia, as well as a soon-to-open ASC in Marina del Rey, DISC is expanding its reach into Los Angeles and Santa Clarita, building on the patient community it has already established in Orange County, the statement said.

Economic DEvElopmEnt corporation

Residential, Commercial,Industrial Real Estate Update

BY HOLLY SCHROEDER

President and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp.

Providing vital data and information is just one of the important services and resources that the SCVEDC provides to local businesses. Most prominent of these resources come from our resident economist, Mark Schniepp. He and the SCVEDC publish regular Economic Snapshots that provide data on labor force and employment, residential and commercial real estate, hotel vacancy rates and film activity.

April’s Economic Snapshot covers all Q4 2022, as well as specific data from Q1 2023. Additionally, be sure to also check out his podcast with our President and CEO Holly Schroeder from last week. They discuss the status of the economy here in the Santa Clarita Valley, the state, and nationwide.

The episode discusses how employment is back to full and how the labor force is expected to refill, along with Schniepp’s predictions for real estate markets, the impact of rising interest rates, reduced financial lending and more.

Econo Watch

Housing Units

Over the last two years, there has been a declining trend in new housing for the city and greater SCV area. For the calendar year 2022, 168 housing unit permits were issued in Santa Clarita, with an estimated 335 units permitted for the region. All but two of the units were single family detached housing permits.

Average number of days on the market for a home to sell is also on the rise, almost doubling from its numbers last year in Q1. Price depreciation to date is minimal. It does not appear to be on a downward trend that is occurring in other regions of California. Rising mortgage rates throughout 2022 and sticky high home prices are impacting purchase

demand in the housing market.

Apartments

Apartment production on the other hand has increased from its yearlong stagnant period from Q4 2020 through Q3 2021, when it saw zero deliveries of new units. There are currently an estimated 228 apartments units in production, with several proposed and approved projects on the way. Apartment rents peaked in Q1 of 2022 at $2,400. The current asking price averages $2,369 per month and has dropped slightly due likely to the product type remaining in the current market. Asking rent today is 0.5% lower than 2022 rents in the same quarter.

Vacancy rates have also tightened to 2.6%, the lowest rate since CoStar data have been recorded. There are an estimated 407 vacant apartment units in the entire Santa Clarita Valley (out of a base of 16,300 total units).

Visit www.scvedc.org/podcast to watch or listen to Schniepp’s latest “Economic Update” and go to www.scvedc. org/data to download the latest Economic Snapshot. 

SCV Community Pride

Share your business or organization’s success story with our readers in this special annual publication. Sponsor your targeted section and be featured on the cover! One premium position, front page photo and double truck is available per section. An excellent way to showcase your business! Advertisers who purchase a full or half page ad will receive a free story written by a professional journalist and have photos taken of their business by one of our accomplished Signal photographers Reach

Publishes: Saturday, May 27, 2023

UNBELIEVABLE SELECTION

Our store carries over 8,000 unique wines – with up to a quarter of a million bottles on the shelves – over 4,500 spirits and over 2,500 unique beers.

For over 30 years, we’ve been totally committed to giving you the lowest prices on the brands you love. The best part is, it’s simple – we buy more, so you pay less.

NEED A HAND? FRIENDLY EXPERTS AROUND EVERY

Need to find that perfect gift? A “thank you” bottle? A red for this weekend’s BBQ that will knock your friends’ socks off? We’re happy to share our passion with you plus we’ve got good wine stories and facts you can share.