By JAMES C. LEDFORD and LINDA A. LIVINGSTONE There has been much concern in recent weeks over the economy and the near-term employment picture in Southern California, including Antelope Valley. The natural response is to recoil in a defensive crouch and hunker down for harder times. Certainly, people need to take stock of their current situation and plan accordingly. However, as we confront these troubling times, we also need to be looking down the road and setting a course for growth. In Antelope Valley, we cannot forget the gains that have been made in recent years. What’s more, we are convinced that a faster recovery and the long-term prosperity for the area hinges on developing the professional job market. From 2000-2007, the population in Antelope Valley grew by more than 15 percent (to nearly 500,000 people). Average annual job growth over roughly the same period was a strong 7.4 percent. Our local economy achieved an annual $4.25 billion in retail sales. This tremendous growth was helped in large measure by our diverse economy, a comparatively low cost of doing business and high standard of living. However, at the center of this growth was an expanding professional workforce. Indeed, in the most recent strategic plan for the City of Palmdale, the top economic issue identified by the 575 residents who participated, was creating “better jobs and better educational opportunities.” In fact, creating professional jobs was singled out as the top area of job growth desired by local residents. It is also one of the top priorities for the Mayor’s office. Antelope Valley is fortunate to have a strong base of companies in the aerospace industry, including Edwards Air Force Base, China Lake, Lockheed Martin Co. and Northrop-Grumman, among others. There’s no questioning that the aerospace industry is a major job producer. As we have in the past, we must continue to nurture that industry. The AERO Institute in Palmdale helps fulfill the professional job development vision in the city’s strategic plan and meets the needs of the aerospace industry. The AERO Institute is a partnership of individuals; federal, state and regional governments; commercial companies; academic institutions; and non-profits engaged in broad-reaching research and operations programs as well as addressing the need for technically skilled workforce. Innovation hub Already it is a hub for innovation and training. In the coming months and years, the AERO Institute will play a major role in educating thousands of people in the aerospace industry as well as other professional enterprises. In fact, in the last two years, several colleges and universities have formed partnerships with the AERO Institute. Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management has made a significant investment establishing an MBA program. The inaugural class of 18 fully employed students launched in Spring 2008, and the school is accepting applicants for a second class planned to start in Summer 2009. The intent is to build a network of MBAs who live and work in the area and continue to seek out executive education after graduation. When an increasing number of professionals earn their MBA and remain in Antelope Valley, our economy will benefit from a highly trained, business-driven base of knowledge workers. Pepperdine’s Graziadio School plans to work with local companies on MBA consulting projects starting next year. So, professionals who work in aerospace or other industries will be applying those skills to real business issues. Business ties In addition to nurturing the aerospace industry, the Antelope Valley must continue to form closer ties with major business centers and industries in Los Angeles. The City of Palmdale is increasingly connected to businesses in Downtown Los Angeles as well as outlying areas such as Burbank and Glendale. The challenge is to encourage professional development and education in uncertain times. It is true, in the short-term we will endure a downturn and slower economy. However, we also have a strong base from which to recruit, retain and educate a professional workforce and prepare for an upswing. Looking past the dark clouds overhead, there is a bright future in Antelope Valley. James C. Ledford is Mayor of the City of Palmdale. Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., is Dean of Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management.
