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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Santa Clarita Plan Eyes More Spending

The Santa Clarita City Council recently approved a 21-Point Business Plan for Progress, which calls for investing more than $5.1 million in new programs and incentives to boost the local economy. Although Santa Clarita has fared considerably better than other communities in Los Angeles County, its fourth quarter 2008 sales tax numbers were 15 percent below same quarter comparisons for 2007 and among the lowest in the city’s 21-year history. Santa Clarita’s office, retail and industrial vacancy rate was 6.8 percent in January of 2009, and unemployment was at 6.6 percent compared to 10.8 percent in Los Angeles County. The 21-point plan calls for use of both general fund dollars and federal stimulus monies to enhance local business partnerships; encourage job creation; and develop marketing programs to bolster retail spending and attract external dollars to the community among other things. The plan calls for partnerships between the city, Chamber of Commerce, College of the Canyons, and the Valley Industrial Association. It includes a first-ever film incentive program providingf subsidized permit fees and a rebate program. It also allocates $250,000 for a “Think Santa Clarita Valley” Shop Local campaign to promote the area’s retail, dining and professional services.

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