DESERT NEWS STAFF REPORT, Mojave Desert News
New EDC president sets goals for creating, protecting jobs
Sets three goals
BY BILL DEAVER
CALIFORNIA CITY - "California City is poised for growth," Jim Quiggle told members of the California City Economic Development Corporation at their monthly meeting last Thursday, shortly after he was installed as the group's president.
Quiggle, president of Mocal News Corporation, which owns the Desert News, outlined three goals for the city, its residents, and businesses - recruiting new businesses, helping existing employers, and supporting efforts to protect defense operations in the Southwestern United States.
Seeking business
A veteran of developing communities and attracting jobs, Quiggle said, "We need to tell the California City story - and it's an easy story to tell - we have a lot to offer."
The recent groundbreaking for Hyundai-Kia's $50 million North American automotive proving grounds "was the most exciting thing that's happened here," Quiggle said. "It will bring California City world-wide recognition, along with 50 new jobs."
Nourish America, the Fresno-based company the city is working with to complete the Matrix Motor complex, can bring another 50 jobs, Quiggle noted.
Existing businesses
Quiggle pointed to a new 16,000-square foot Ace Hardware under construction and expansion of Creative Accents as examples of helping existing businesses grow in California City and East Kern.
"Look at the rest of the county - there's been zero growth!"
Noting that the city had some problems with its engineering department, Quiggle said that has improved.
"Those obstacles are disappearing," and that EDC members can help businesses to work with city officials when a business owner "stubs his toe," Quiggle told the breakfast audience at California City Airport.
"City hall is not always wrong," he said. "We can be a liaison between businesses and the city."
Protecting defense
Quiggle said the city should also support the efforts of the Southwest Defense Alliance and other organizations that are working to protect jobs at Edwards and other area defense installations.
That is especially important when state government "seems more interested in protecting the 'spotted farkle' that the nation's defense," he said.
Finally, Quiggle said the EDC and the California City Chamber of Commerce will be working together to plan for the city's future.
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