California City Economic Development Corporation

</head> <body text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" link="#0000EE" vlink="#FF0000" alink="#00CC00"> California City EDC provides economic development and business expansion assistance for businesses to expand or relocate in the City of California City. California City Economic Development Corporation, business relocation service, incentives, Cal City EDC, SBA 504 loan, California City Industrial Park, California City Chamber of Commerce, California City Economic Development, Cal City Economic Development Corporation, labor information, business incentives <table BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" > <tr> <td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN="3" WIDTH="140" BGCOLOR="#008080"><img SRC="rcornder-blue.gif" height=14 width=14> <br><img SRC="citylogo2.GIF" BORDER=0 height=150 width=151> <table BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=5 WIDTH="140" BGCOLOR="#336699" > <tr> <td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR="#008080"><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=+1>Cal City EDC</font></font></b> <br><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=-2>8001 Cal City Blvd.</font></font></b> <br><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=-2>California City Ca 93505</font></font></b> <br><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=-2>(760) 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size=-1><a href="http://www.city.california-city.ca.us/">City of  California City</a></font></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="10%"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">»</font></b></td> <td VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="90%"><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=-1><a href="http://www.califcity.com/survey.html">Need Infomation about Relocating to California City</a></font></font></b></td> </tr> </table> <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=-1> </font></font></b></td> </tr> </table> </td> <td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT="80" BGCOLOR="#008080"> <center><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=+3>California City</font></font></b> <br><b><font color="#FFFFFF"><font size=+3>Economic Development Corporation</font></font></b></center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT="14"><img SRC="lcornrev-blue.gif" BORDER=0 height=14 width=14></td> </tr> <tr> <td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <table BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=15 WIDTH="100%" > <tr> <td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP><b><font color="#008080"><font size=+3>California City EDC</font></font></b> <br><b><font color="#008080"><font size=+3>Assisting Companies to Expand or Relocate</font></font></b> <br><b>A nonprofit corporation, California City Economic Development Corporation (Cal City EDC) provides information and facilitation for companies looking to expand or relocate in <font color="#FF0000">"AFFORDABLE"</font> California City.</b> <br> <hr> <center> <h3> <u><font color="#FF0000">Regional Influences</font></u></h3></center> <font color="#000000">Edwards Air Force Base (2000 Data)</font> <p><font color="#000000">Total Base Population      16,510</font> <br><font color="#000000">Payroll                             $385 Million</font> <br><font color="#000000">Total Acquisitons             $300 Million</font> <br><font color="#000000">Acquisitions from East Karn/AV  $87 Million</font> <p><font color="#000000">Mojave Civilian Flight Test Center</font> <p><font color="#000000">Tenants on Airport          32</font> <br><font color="#000000">Total Emplopyees           1000</font> <br><font color="#000000">Payroll                            $4 Million</font> <p><font color="#000000">US Borax Company</font> <p><font color="#000000">Total Employees             900</font> <p><font color="#000000">Honda Proving Center of California</font> <p><font color="#000000">Total Employees             80</font> <p><font color="#000000">California City Correction Center</font> <p><font color="#000000">Total Employees             550</font> <br><font color="#000000">Federal Contract            10 years</font> <br><font color="#000000">Total Inmates                  2304</font> <br><font color="#000000">Payroll                            $23 Million</font> <p><font color="#000000">Local businesses should be giving thanks during this holiday season for Shasta County’s recent designation by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for a coveted new enterprise zone (EZ). </font> <p><font color="#000000">As an example, C.R. Gibbs American Grille, a locally owned restaurant on Hilltop Drive, has benefited by receiving $555,301 in state tax credits over the past seven years. </font> <p><font color="#000000">According to owner/manager Ed Rullman: "We were extremely excited about the new designation because we have benefited so greatly from being in the EZ in the past. Saving tax dollars helps C.R. Gibbs invest in new equipment, which keeps our business strong and ultimately helps us to create more employment." </font> <p><font color="#000000">After months of work to prepare a competitive application, local jurisdictions finally received the good news Nov. 3, only three days before the expiration of the enterprise zone that was awarded in 1990. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Not only did the Shasta County joint application make the cut, but it also scored extremely well among all applicants statewide. Shasta County’s proposal placed second out of 25, which is a tribute to the hard work put in by representatives of Anderson, Redding, Shasta Lake, Shasta County, the Smart Business Resource Center, Superior California Economic Development and the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Why is the enterprise zone so valuable? First, it is the only California incentive program focused to assist companies with expansion. Second, and most important, the program is easy to understand and easy to use. Documentation in the tax preparation process is very simple and most professional tax-preparers are familiar with the forms. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The main reason it is so valuable, however, is that it provides significant state tax credits in a state, California, where taxes are among the highest in the nation. Tax credits mean fewer dollars paid to the state and more dollars back into profits to help companies fund more capital expansion and more jobs. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Here’s another example of how it can help even a small company. Let’s say a company purchases qualifying equipment for $100,000 and adds one enterprise-zone-eligible employee. Under this scenario, a small company can receive a tax credit of up to $17,775 for the first year alone. That’s $17,775 that goes right back to the owner of the company as profit. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The new enterprise zone has received a "conditional" designation, which means that the benefits are in place immediately for those businesses that were also in the earlier zone. Essentially, there is no gap. Confusing? Don’t be dismayed; a free enterprise zone seminar is planned for Dec. 13 to discuss zone benefits. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Enterprise zone seminar</font> <br><font color="#000000">• When: Wednesday, Dec. 13 </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m. </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Where: Redding City Hall Community Room 777 Cypress Ave. </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Cost: Free </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Reservations: 224-4920</font> <p><font color="#000000">The Flat World </font> <p><font color="#000000">Shirley Dong was born in China and now represents U.S. clients of Deloitte Consulting seeking a presence in Asia, so she has firsthand knowledge of the global economy. I met with her recently in Deloitte’s corporate offices in downtown Chicago to discuss the growing trend of Chinese company’s seeking a presence in the United States. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Deloitte Consulting has 450 employees in its Chicago office and Dong is part of a team that focuses on the Asian market, primarily Chinese investment. </font> <p><font color="#000000">In the not too distant future, many Chinese companies will be seeking competitive alternatives for U.S. operations — why not Shasta County? </font> <p><font color="#000000">The meeting with Dong is part of a focused effort that is being made to ensure that Shasta County is being considered as an alternative to site location consulting companies around the U.S. </font> <p><font color="#000000">To date, personal presentations have been made to 21 companies with more being planned. It is a marketing effort that is essential, especially for a relatively small, unknown area like Shasta County </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces NEW Shasta Metro Enterprise Zone - 11/16/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Designation for Redding, Anderson, Shasta Lake and portions of Shasta County along I-5 corridor</font> <p><font color="#000000">Continuing his efforts to create jobs and a positive business environment, Gov. Schwarzenegger announced today the conditional designation of the Shasta Metro Enterprise Zone in the North State, part of 23 Enterprise Zones he named statewide.</font> <p><font color="#000000">“Since I became Governor, I have worked tirelessly to improve the business climate and create more than 650,000 new jobs,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “By using incentives like hiring credits or sales tax credits, these Enterprise Zones can harness the entrepreneurial spirit of our state and help draw business investment to economically depressed areas. Enterprise Zones lead to more jobs, less poverty and long-term economic stability.”</font> <p><font color="#000000">The new designations will take the place of the 23 zones set out in statute which are expiring over the next several months. Each zone designation is in effect for 15 years.</font> <p><font color="#000000">“A majority of the companies we are working with in today’s competitive environment recognize the value of Enterprise Zones and in more cases Enterprise Zones are being requested as part of the site search criteria,” said Jim Zauher, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County. “Having a new Enterprise Zone designation available to us for the next 15 years will clearly assist local companies in their expansion efforts and add a competitive advantage in the recruitment of new companies.”</font> <p><font color="#000000">The California Enterprise Zone Program targets economically distressed areas using special state and local incentives to promote business investment and job creation. By encouraging entrepreneurship and employer growth, the program strives to create and sustain economic expansion in California communities. </font> <p><font color="#000000">“Tax incentives and assistance from the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County made opening a new Captive-Aire plant a great decision,” said Captive-Aire founder and president Robert Luddy. “We are pleased to be in Redding, where Captive-Aire can grow our western operation and create new jobs for American workers.”</font> <p><font color="#000000">Businesses within Enterprise Zones are eligible for substantial tax credits and benefits including:</font> <br><font color="#000000">•Firms can earn $31,234 or more in state tax credits for each qualified employee hired. </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Corporations can earn sales tax credits on purchases of $20 million per year of qualified machinery and machinery parts. </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Up-front expensing of certain depreciable property. </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Lenders to Zone businesses may receive a net interest deduction. </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Unused tax credits can be applied to future tax years, stretching out the benefit of the initial investment. </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Enterprise Zone companies can earn preference points on state contracts. </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Up to 100% Net Operating Loss (NOL) carry-forward. NOL may be carried forward 15 years. </font> <p><font color="#000000">“This designation will continue to play a significant role in the attraction of new business to the greater Redding area, as well as businesses already located here,” said Dave Scott, founding partner of D.H. Scott & Company. “As a CPA, I can assure you that the tax incentives offered by this program represent a major savings to participating companies in our area.”</font> <p><font color="#000000">In August, Gov. Schwarzenegger released a report commissioned by HCD that evaluated the success of Enterprise Zones in spurring economic recovery. The report shows that from 1990 to 2000 Enterprise Zones on average experienced:</font> <p><font color="#000000">•Poverty Rates: declined 7.35 percent more than the rest of the State </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Unemployment Rates: declined 1.2 percent more than the rest of the State </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Household Incomes: increased 7.1 percent more than the rest of the State </font> <br><font color="#000000">•Wage and Salary Income: increased 3.5 percent more than the rest of the State </font> <p><font color="#000000">The next step in the designation process will be the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) issuance of a conditional designation letter to each of the new zones. The letters will outline conditions which must be met to be granted final designation. Examples of conditions include preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and a signed memorandum of understanding with the Department which includes performance measures and benchmarks. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Expert Gives Vital Insights on Growth - 11/6/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Record Searchlight</font> <p><font color="#000000">By Jim Zauher</font> <p><font color="#000000">A"pet" phrase of mine is that "I know just enough to be dangerous." We all do it: develop our opinions based on various levels of knowledge or actual experience we may have on any given subject. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Heck, I'm not sure why the San Francisco Giants waste their money on high-paid executives like Brian Sabean, when they have someone like me who has spent countless hours studying the team since I began listening to Russ Hodges call Willie Mays home runs in the 1950s. Need a batting order, pitching rotation or a trade or two? Use me and save some money. I've got plenty of experience! </font> <p><font color="#000000">The same can be said for the business of economic development, which is why it is so important to continue to bring high-quality professionals like Dennis Donovan to Shasta County. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Even though the message Donovan delivered to his Shasta County audience may have been similar to what we have heard before, it is important to hear from those who are actually in the trenches, working directly with the companies that make the location decisions. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Also, it's amazing how quickly we forget. It wasn't that long ago that economist William Fruth made a series of presentations to Shasta County audiences about the state of our economy and what we needed to do to fix it. More than 1,000 people heard the presentations and the message -- "Add more primary industry employers and jobs!" </font> <p><font color="#000000">Donovan is one of the most respected site location consultants in the United States, representing many Fortune 500 companies in location decisions. His presentation last month at the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County annual luncheon provided a snapshot of the global economy, a review of the national picture for the industrial sector and a "report card" on Shasta County competitiveness. </font> <p><font color="#000000">For the many who did not have the opportunity to hear Mr. Donovan speak, here are a few of the high points: </font> <p><font color="#000000">The global economy is producing "inward" investment from many companies outside the U.S. seeking access to our market. In addition, expansion is occurring with many national firms in the areas of manufacturing, IT and customer service. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Manufacturing growth is very active in medical and biotech, food processing, building materials, distribution, and electronics (a number of these are Shasta targets). </font> <p><font color="#000000">Regions of most interest to expanding companies are Atlantic Sun Belt (Virginia to Florida), Texas and Intermountain (Idaho to Arizona). </font> <p><font color="#000000">California is still a tough sell, but the far north (Shasta) and the Central Valley regions are not appreciated. Some companies need to be near the California market. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Donovan also discussed specific influences in today's world that were affecting location decisions. He referenced Bureau of Labor statistics data that indicate there will be a shortage of 8 million workers in the U.S. by 2010. Because of this, companies see access to human resources supply, quality and costs as a predominant future consideration. As a result, companies will need to be viewed as "preferred employers" to compete in the U.S. market. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Conversely, areas that can capitalize on their work-force availability and competitiveness will have an advantage. </font> <p><font color="#000000">And, he noted the trends in corporate location decisions: </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Work-force programs </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Logistics-market and vendor access along with highway linkages,transportation services and costs </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Electric power-capacity, reliability and cost </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Telecommunications-broadband </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Available buildings and sites areas without product are many times never in contention </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Permit fast tracking </font> <p><font color="#000000">Incentives: </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Overall lower business costs -- 20 percent lower than the Bay Area </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Attractive, low-cost living environment </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Ample supply of quality workers for light industry, distribution and back office </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Labor force comprised of latent pool of unemployed and underemployed </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Adequate transportation resources </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Higher education and training resources </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Competitive electric power, water, wastewater </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Pro-business local government units </font> <p><font color="#000000">Locational liabilities: </font> <p><font color="#000000">• The state of California-sixth worst legal liability system, arduous permitting process, work-force compliance costs more than $3,000 per employee (two to three times more than other states) </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Highest workers' compensation costs and one of the highest taxed states </font> <p><font color="#000000">Uncompetitive incentives: </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Limited number of large, modern office and industrial buildings and lack of large sites </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Early warning signs about future labor supply-older population growth and high number of adults without high school degrees </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Tough sell for hi-tech absence of critical mass, technical university and relatively low proportion of college degrees; and </font> <p><font color="#000000">• Limited air service </font> <p><font color="#000000">Donovan had not been to Shasta County before his visit, but he left with a very positive feeling about it for potential business investment. He views it as among the best of what he calls second-tier California metro areas for companies seeking a West Coast presence, family-owned companies seeking relief from coastal metro areas and larger Bay Area companies looking for branch operations. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Want a copy of his remarks? Please help yourself at the following link to the EDC Web site: www.shastaedc.org/availreports.asp. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">North State Has Business Hook - 10/6/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Record Searchlight</font> <p><font color="#000000">By Marc Beauchamp</font> <p><font color="#000000">Analyst says Shasta County's Wage Level can Lure Companies</font> <p><font color="#000000">Despite California's "anti-business climate," Shasta County has several advantages to offer companies looking to relocate, including an eager work force and a low-wage environment, a national business consultant said Thursday.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Dennis Donovan, a New Jersey-based corporate-relocation specialist, was paid $8,000 for an analysis of the local economy presented in a 40-minute speech at the annual luncheon of the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County, said EDC President Jim Zauher.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Donovan predicted the city's $60-million-plus investment in the Stillwater Business Park would be successful and suggested that Redding consider planning for a second park.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Among Redding's other assets are its abundance of available land and a "business-friendly local government," he said.</font> <p><font color="#000000">He said companies would be attracted by the area's wage levels, which he said were 20 percent lower than the San Francisco Bay area, 10 percent less than Nevada and 10 percent below the U.S. average. The area's household income, he said, is 20 percent below the national average, meaning there's a large potential work force willing to work for less money.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Noting that 17 percent of adults in Shasta County don't have high school diplomas, Donovan urged an "all-out assault on adult-based skills remediation." He praised Shasta College's vocational training programs. Redding's biggest challenge, Donovan said, is that it's located in California, which has an anti-business "stigma."</font> <p><font color="#000000">Besides incentives such as tax breaks and cut-price utilities, Donovan suggested the city embark on a public-private partnership to build ready-to-occupy "shell buildings" in an effort to attract companies.</font> <p><font color="#000000">He also urged greater sales efforts by the EDC, suggesting that the group's annual marketing budget be doubled to $300,000.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Among the roughly 350 business and community members at the luncheon was Shasta County Supervisor Glenn Hawes, who said afterward he liked that Donovan considered the north state an attractive venue for industry.</font> <p><font color="#000000">"We have the water, we have power, we've got a lot of things to offer people," Hawes said. "We've got a pretty decent work force. It's a nice, family place. It's a good place to open a business and have happy employees."</font> <p><font color="#000000">Gary Schmidt, chair of the business department at Simpson University, noted Donovan's call for Simpson and Shasta colleges to produce people with the technical skills to create a labor pool that's conducive to the kinds of industries that could come to Redding.</font> <p><font color="#000000">"In general I agree with it," Schmidt said. "We need to try and produce the technical people they're going to need to support these operations. I think it's going to take a lot of partnership with the likes of Shasta to bring it online." </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Businesses Can Compete In State - 10/2/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Record Searchlight</font> <p><font color="#000000">By Jim Zauher</font> <p><font color="#000000">It is extremely difficult to be competitive when companies compare California to some of the neighboring states. </font> <p><font color="#000000">As much as we can help our cause through local initiatives such as the Stillwater Business Park, local low-cost utilities and other local incentives, the reality is that state-related issues, costs and regulations are beyond our control. </font> <p><font color="#000000">However, because Shasta County does have certain specific advantages, including our strategic location on Interstate 5, in some cases a Shasta County location can mitigate some of the California disadvantages and make our case competitive. </font> <p><font color="#000000">As an example, especially because of escalating fuel prices, transportation and logistics continue to be a more critical cost component for manufacturers. </font> <p><font color="#000000">It is a consideration that motivates companies to seek new West Coast manufacturing and distribution locations. These factors were instrumental in the decisions of two of our most recent recruitment successes, Spartan Logistics and Captive Aire. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The bottom line is that if a company serves customers in both California and the Northwest, it's very competitive to be in Shasta County from a transportation cost standpoint. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Whatever the circumstances are, however, it is challenging for companies who have not operated in California to understand the depth of costs and regulations that they face here compared with most other states. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Workers' compensation insurance is the most notable of the cost issues that has received much media attention. Although California premiums have been reduced considerably, they still continue to be way out of line with our competition. </font> <p><font color="#000000">As an example, a comparative matrix that was provided to me by a company who has an interested in building a facility in Shasta County and employing more than 100 people shows the disparity. </font> <p><font color="#000000">These estimates were provided by the company's nationally recognized insurance carrier and were based on specific data including job classifications, annual payroll, etc. </font> <p><font color="#000000">According to the estimates, the company's annual insurance premium for workers' compensation would be $84,303 in Georgia, $73,510 in Arizona and $179,123 in Nevada. In California, however, the company's premium would be $332,281. </font> <p><font color="#000000">All of these additional costs, many times adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, reduce company profitability and influence site location decisions if they cannot be offset by other advantages. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Workers' compensation costs, of course, are just one of the many cost items that are higher in California. Add higher corporate taxes, higher health care costs, higher utility costs, and permits and fees that are more time consuming and more expensive, California is at a strategic disadvantage. </font> <p><font color="#000000">That's where our local assets that affect transportation, utility rates, land costs and overall business friendliness can make up the difference. It is also why we have to continually work harder to be competitive and need to be diligent about what factors companies seek to make their decisions. </font> <p><font color="#000000">It is only when we understand the reality of the marketplace that we can compete. The good news is that there are more Captive Aires and Spartan Logistics companies in the pipeline. </font> <p><font color="#000000">For those interested in knowing the possibility of us being successful in gaining a new Enterprise Zone designation, here's the latest. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The current zone expires in November and along with it hundreds of thousands of dollars in state tax credits and employment incentives for local companies and residents. </font> <p><font color="#000000">A new application was submitted earlier this month for a new 15-year designation. There are 23 zones like ours that will be expiring during the next few months. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The good news is that there are only 25 new applications, so the odds are very good that we will be competitive. The other good news is that we received our technical review, and there was only one minor clarification point that was requested and that has been satisfied. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Hopefully by the time I will be writing my next column, I can give our local business community some good news. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Are Companies Taking a Good Look at our County? - 9/4/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Record Searchlight</font> <p><font color="#000000">By Jim Zauher</font> <p><font color="#000000">The answer is a definite YES. </font> <p><font color="#000000">And since the industrial sector of the economy has strengthened, the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County (EDC) has had more inquiries, especially in the past 12 months. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Why?</font> <p><font color="#000000">Fundamentally, manufacturers have reached capacity, and as a result, new facilities need to be built. Because the West continues to grow, companies based in the East and South are looking more seriously at adding the capacity where they can get closer to the growth. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Added to the equation is the accelerated expense of shipping as a result of huge increases in fuel costs. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The Captive Aire facility in Redding is one example of what is happening, but it is not isolated. Other companies have contacted the EDC with similar needs. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Challenges ahead </font> <p><font color="#000000">The hurdles remain to be the high costs of doing business in California, including workers' compensation costs that, although lowered, are still sometimes double what it might cost in states like Nevada and Arizona. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Shasta County is also being more recognized as an alternative location for California companies seeking to flee the high costs and urban lifestyle of the coastal metro areas. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Generally, both cost issues and quality of life motivate California companies, especially if the owners are moving with the facility. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The attractions to Shasta County are strategic location on Interstate 5, lower operating costs and a welcoming environment toward new business and industry. </font> <p><font color="#000000">We will never be the least expensive place to do business, but we can continue to be a competitive location in California if we keep working on it. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Because shipping costs are such a big operating expense for certain industries, a Shasta County location can sometimes make up the higher cost differentials in some of the other categories. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Noted adviser to talk </font> <p><font color="#000000">The EDC annual luncheon event this year promises to be a good one. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Highly regarded location adviser Dennis Donovan will provide the keynote presentation and will discuss Shasta County's competitiveness and the state of the global economy. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Redding Bank of Commerce is sponsoring the event. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Donovan has advised numerous high-profile corporations on their location decisions and is very respected as one of the most knowledgeable in the industry. </font> <p><font color="#000000">It's a value to have him here, just so he can have a better understanding of Shasta County as a location alternative. Also, one of his keynote topics is what he describes as a community "report card." He'll give us feedback on what we're doing right and tell us where we need a little more work. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Donovan is a sought-after, well-published consultant who is also a strong leader in the leading professional association for Corporate Real Estate, CoreNet Global. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The event will be Oct. 5 at the Redding Convention Center. A $30 ticket includes a tri-tip luncheon and Donovan's informative presentation. Call the EDC at 224-4920 for reservations. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Group is nonpolitical </font> <p><font color="#000000">With the local political season in full swing, the EDC remains a very nonpolitical organization. Local business groups such as the Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce, Shasta Builders' Exchange and Shasta Association of Realtors all have political action committees that dive into the local political scene. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The EDC, however, is a 501c 3 nonprofit group that is limited in its political interests. </font> <p><font color="#000000">We gladly stand by the sidelines and let the advocacy groups do their thing with the understanding that we will ultimately work with whoever is elected. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Shasta County as a whole has been pretty fortunate over the years to have consistent local political support for economic development, and for the most part it continues to be high on the list for all of the political business groups and most candidates. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The value of quality job creation transcends political boundaries. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Application submitted </font> <p><font color="#000000">The application for a new designation was delivered to the state last week and it is a monster! </font> <p><font color="#000000">It ended up being hundreds of pages of documentation, and although we could argue about the value of providing all of this, the fact is, they really don't ask for our opinion. </font> <p><font color="#000000">By October, we should know how we fared in the highly competitive process, but my gut feeling is that we should do OK. Hundreds of local companies take advantage of significant tax savings as a result of this designation. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Nationally Recognized Site Location Advisor Headlines EDC Annual Luncheon - 8/28/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">The EDC of Shasta County is pleased to announce that nationally recognized and distinguished Site Location Consultant Dennis Donovan will be the keynote speaker at the EDC Annual Luncheon. This year’s event will be held at the Redding Convention Center on Thursday, October 5th at 12 noon. The sponsor for the event is Redding Bank of Commerce.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Dennis Donovan is responsible for worldwide site selection services at Wadley-Donovan-Gutshaw consulting. The firm has been advising corporations on office and industrial facilities location for 31 years.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Mr. Donovan has enjoyed long term relations as a location advisor to many industrial and service corporations including American Express, Lucent Technologies, Merck, SITEL, Solectron/Stream and Veritas.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Dennis Donovan is highly recognized in the field for his expertise and he has also assumed a leadership position in the industry’s primary trade association-CoreNet Global. He created and teaches the organization’s site selection course both for certification and professional development and also teaches courses and advises Economic Development programs for both the University of Kentucky and the University of South Florida.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Mr. Donovan will address the EDC luncheon on competitiveness and provide a “report card” on how Shasta County stacks up in today’s business recruitment environment. Donovan will also provide an economic overview of the global economy and discuss job losses to overseas competition as well as emerging market trends in the U.S. economy.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Doors open at 11:30 a.m.</font> <br><font color="#000000">Tickets are $30 and include a tri tip luncheon</font> <br><font color="#000000">Call the EDC office for ticket information at 224-4920 </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Shasta Metro Enterprise Zone Risks Losing Tax Incentives - 8/7/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Record Searchlight</font> <p><font color="#000000">By Jim Zauher</font> <p><font color="#000000">"Under the radar," so to speak, a team of professionals representing various local entities has been preparing an application to continue one of the most successful economic development programs that has ever benefited Shasta County. Although it has been on local government agendas recently, it has not received much media attention.</font> <p><font color="#000000">In 1990, this same nucleus of local entities competed statewide with the result that Shasta County received the successful designation as the Shasta Metro Enterprise Zone in November 1991. That designation is set to expire this year, along with 23 other zones statewide, and the fierce competition is on again. </font> <p><font color="#000000">So, for about the past 45 days, a major effort has been under way to put together another competitive application for a coveted Enterprise Zone designation. The due date is Sept. 6. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The final product will be hundreds of pages of documentation, including a comprehensive marketing plan and a job development plan, as well as a compilation of inventories such as available buildings and land (much of this delineated by sophisticated GIS mapping), capital improvement plans, budgets and support letters. The state wants an applicant to prove that the county is worthy of the designation by having the ability to support the effort. This is a huge undertaking. </font> <p><font color="#000000">At stake is a significant financial reward for local businesses and tremendous opportunity for various unemployed and underemployed groups including certain eligible veterans. The tangible benefits translate into thousands of dollars annually in state tax savings for local companies. A five-year tax credit for hiring an eligible employee is more than $30,000 per person. Because "tax credits" are deducted directly from the taxpayers tax liability the revenue is shifted immediately into new profits. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The motivation behind the creation of California’s Enterprise Zone Program was to promote investment and job growth in distressed areas by offering incentives to companies. In addition, by offering the hiring tax credits, certain employment groups get leverage in the hiring process. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The other key benefit of the program is a sales tax credit for companies purchasing new processing or manufacturing equipment. Again, by offering incentives to manufacturers, they, in turn could grow and add employment opportunities. Manufacturing traditionally is one of the highest paying sectors of the economy. </font> <p><font color="#000000">But the value and benefits applies across the board to almost any company. In addition, local banks, which lend to companies in the Enterprise Zone, receive a tax savings on the interest paid on those loans. In some cases, this can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The California Enterprise Zone Program is the only incentive the state offers to both existing and new companies seeking to expand, and it is extremely coveted by areas of the state such as Shasta County. Enterprise zones also are recognized nationally as benefit areas, and although many states offer variations of these programs, they often are sought out by companies seeking new locations. </font> <p><font color="#000000">One of the things that I am most proud of about our countywide economic development effort is that we have a focused team that recognizes that the benefits of job creation transcend political boundaries. Therefore, over the years, despite what I would call "friendly" competition, we all work together and get along in the sandbox extremely well. </font> <p><font color="#000000">So my personal thanks to the professionals who are working on this important project beginning with EDC staff and consultants, the Smart Resource Center, The Superior California Economic Development District, Shasta College and the Employment Development Department. </font> <p><font color="#000000">In addition, this multijurisdictional effort requires a memorandum of understanding between our local governments. There is tremendous staff support from Shasta County, Redding, Anderson and Shasta Lake. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The result of all of this work is that hundreds of local businesses hopefully will continue to reap the benefits of the Shasta Metro Enterprise Zone and thus continue to provide better employment opportunities for local residents. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">EDC Forms Alliance with Pooler Partners - 7/26/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">EDC’s aggressive national outreach to Corporate Real Estate and national site location consulting firms becomes stronger by the establishment of a professional relationship with Joy Pooler.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Joy Pooler is the Principal of Pooler Partners, a consulting firm that focuses on strategic planning and marketing. Joy has developed and implemented a very successful sponsorship program for the Industrial Asset Management Council, one of the premier Corporate Real Estate organizations in the United States.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Joy has more than 25 years of professional economic development experience in site selection, Brownfield development and marketing.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Her business and community development experience includes 20 years with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where she worked for the Governors Action Team and directed the SelecSite and SelecTech Site initiatives.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Pooler will be working with and assisting EDC President Jim Zauher in a focused promotional program aimed at Corporate Real Estate Executives and site location consulting firms by arranging for a series of personal presentations in key markets around the United States. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Stillwater Property Settlement - 7/14/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">REDDING, CA — The Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County and the City of Redding are pleased to announce that there has been a settlement agreement reached with Mr. Joe Sanders for the acquisition of the Sanders property proposed as the Stillwater Business Park.</font> <p><font color="#000000">We are very pleased that we were able to come to a fair and agreeable settlement and feel that the purchase price for the property is within the parameters of “fair market value”.</font> <p><font color="#000000">We also feel that this agreement will preclude continued legal costs for both parties and are extremely pleased that this will provide a major clearance toward the construction of the Stillwater Business Park. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Study Shows Stillwater has Big Benefits - 6/5/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Record Searchlight</font> <p><font color="#000000">By Jim Zauher</font> <p><font color="#000000">An Economic Impact Report for the Stillwater Business Park will be released later this month and also will be included as a topic for the upcoming Redding City Council workshop on June 26. The report was commissioned by the Shasta County Economic Development Corp. and will be provided to Redding when complete to help clarify local economic benefits that will be derived from the park.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The results of this report are significant, and even though the report is still in draft form with some minor editing in progress, the analysis is complete enough to highlight some important summary data. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Based on data provided from an University of Texas at Austin study, conservative job estimates were predicted for the potential industries at the Stillwater Business Park. The Center for Economic Development at Chico State University used the data to estimate potential new direct jobs in general industrial, light industrial and the professional office and high tech cluster, which are the industries targeted for the park. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Using the study as the basis, the conservative estimate is that 3,571 direct jobs will be created by Stillwater at 100 percent buildout. This number is less than the traffic studies predicted in the environmental report, but nonetheless represents a significant value to the Shasta County economy. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Since it is difficult to forecast how long it will take to fill the business park, the report estimates benefits based on 33 percent, 66 percent and 100 percent buildout. </font> <p><font color="#000000">At 33 percent buildout, the analysis predicts direct benefits to Shasta County at nearly $380 million annually. That includes 1,036 direct jobs, and the number of direct and indirect jobs is 2,993. The average income per worker would be $41,000 per year. </font> <p><font color="#000000">At 100 percent capacity, the revenue to Shasta County businesses will be more than $1.3 billion dollars per year, with annual new personal income in the county of $378 million per year; enormous numbers to say the least. Average wages increase to $45,000 annually. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Which business are the primary beneficiaries of this new source of economic revenue? Some of the top sectors receiving value include residential real estate sales, eating and drinking establishments, hospitals, doctors and dentists, banking and truck transportation. The annual new revenue ranges from a high of $40 million for residential real estate to a low of $7.3 million to credit and finance companies. Hardly chump change. </font> <p><font color="#000000">In addition, there is a significant value to local government tax revenues. The SHASTEC Redevelopment Agency would be a major benefactor of the project. (SHASTEC is a redevelopment partnership between Shasta County, the City of Anderson and the City of Redding.) At 33 percent buildout, SHASTEC will receive more than $3.8 million per year in new annual property tax revenue; more than $11.7 million at 100 percent buildout. These are new property tax dollars that will be captured for local control and local reinvestment for local benefit.The bottom line is that primary industries, such as the ones targeted for Stillwater, provide the highest multiplier effects and highest wages of any industry sector. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Anyone seriously interested in the substance behind the proposed Stillwater Business Park should attend the City Council workshop on June 26. At the session, city staff will provide its updated financial and construction plan and experts will offer opinions on the value of the park, the marketability of the park and the general trends and climate for those industries targeted. The workshop will provide answers to legitimate questions. </font> <p><font color="#000000">When the Mountain Lakes Industrial Park was built in the 1960s, it took strong private/public leadership. Stillwater is the next generation of Mountain Lakes, and fortunately we still have that strong leadership in our community; leadership willing to make difficult decisions and take the risks to ensure that our economy will support our future needs. </font> <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Stillwater Business Park Annual Effect</font> <p><font color="#000000">33 percent buildout:</font> <p><font color="#000000">• New business revenue: $378.8 million </font> <br><font color="#000000">• Personal income: $101.3 million </font> <br><font color="#000000">• Direct jobs: 1,036 </font> <br><font color="#000000">• Average wages: $41,000 </font> <p><font color="#000000">100 percent buildout:</font> <p><font color="#000000">• New business revenue: $1.335 billion </font> <br><font color="#000000">• Personal income: $378.1 million </font> <br><font color="#000000">• Direct jobs: 3,568 </font> <br><font color="#000000">• Average wages: $45,000 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Source: Center for Economic Development at Chico State University </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Redding's Stillwater Business Park Receives City Council Approval - 5/8/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">REDDING, CA —The City Council of Redding unanimously approved the environmental impact reports (EIR-EIS) for the Stillwater Business Park. Stillwater is a fully-entitled, shovel-ready, 700-acre business park designed for large office and industrial users. Sites will range in size from three to 95 acres.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The Stillwater Business Park will take advantage of the fact that large parcel sites are scarce on the west coast.</font> <p><font color="#000000">“We are pleased that the environmental process has been completed and that The Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County, in partnership with the City of Redding, can begin marketing the project while construction begins,” said EDC President Jim Zauher.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The Stillwater Business Park is strategically located on Interstate 5 and equidistant between Seattle and Los Angeles. There will be numerous other incentives for companies seeking west coast locations including Enterprise Zone state tax credits and low cost municipal electric utility-rates, sometimes up to 40% lower than other parts of the state.</font> <p><font color="#000000">According to EDC President Jim Zauher, Stillwater will provide a unique product for companies seeking to build their plants expeditiously to get their products to market. By having completed a Master Environmental Document, essentially, Stillwater will be one of the few, if not the only large site complex that is truly “shovel-ready.” </font> <p><font color="#000000">Construction of Stillwater Business Park is scheduled to begin in late 2006 with completion expected in 2008.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Boasting an excellent quality of life, unmatched recreational opportunities, excellent schools, affordable housing, first-class healthcare, and a welcoming business environment, Shasta County is the preferred location for business and industry in the northernmost (or “Upstate”) region of California. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Application for New Enterprise Zone Full Speed Ahead - 5/1/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">A stalemate in the legislature for the past two years has stalled attempts to pass legislation that would extend Shasta County’s Enterprise Zone for five years. 23 zones statewide are affected.</font> <p><font color="#000000">As a result, a decision has been made locally to vigorously pursue an application to create a new enterprise zone that could be designated by the time the existing zone expires in November 2006. The state agency overseeing the program has been forced into action to administer the new application process because all of the zones affected will lose their designations, all of which will be up for grabs by any community in the state who wants to apply. It is a competitive process.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The comprehensive application must be completed and submitted by September 6. The existing Enterprise Zone application, which was completed in 1990, contains over 175 pages of documentation. The EDC along with the cities and the county will be pressed once again to meet an extremely tight deadline, even with the use of a consulting firm, which has been hired to assist in the process.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The EDC Board of Directors voted to authorize the expenditure of Special Project funding under Shasta 2011 toward this very important business assistance program. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Site Selection Survey Results Tell Real Story on Business - 2/5/2006 </font> <p><font color="#000000">Record Searchlight</font> <p><font color="#000000">By Jim Zauher</font> <p><font color="#000000">The release this month of Area Development Magazine's Annual Corporate Site Selection Survey provides a legitimate snapshot of the "real" factors that comprise the site location decision process. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The question arises about how these factors relate to our own local competitiveness and how Shasta County matches up to the key elements identified in the survey. </font> <p><font color="#000000">This might "ruffle some feathers," but the survey does not include any quality of life factors in the top 16 factors rated as very important or important. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Oddly enough, as important as it is for those of us who live here to preserve our quality of life and enhance it, for the most part it is at the tail end of the list when it comes to corporate site selection. Now that may feel like a dagger to the heart for those who promote libraries, parks, museums, etc., but the facts from the survey are clear and relevant. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Quality of life is a factor, but never at the top of the list. </font> <p><font color="#000000">According to Ed McCallum, senior principal at McCallum Sweeney Consulting Inc., "In a nutshell, every quality of life factor was considered less important than in the previous year for one simple reason: If you cannot survive in the marketplace, it is irrelevant how nice the place is where your company failed." </font> <p><font color="#000000">Quality of life is meaningless if a company cannot be profitable, grow and prosper. Companies seeking new locations often develop an internal matrix of selection criteria, and although there may be a variance from one industry to the next, for the most part, as the survey results show, there are some key factors that generally drive the decision-making process. </font> <p><font color="#000000">If the labor force does not fit, if there are no buildings or sites and if access to the markets is not adequate, quality of life does not even come into play. However, once the key business factors are satisfied, quality of life becomes a stronger consideration, especially as it relates to convincing the decision makers that because of it, the area will continue to be vibrant and grow. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Quality of life also will become a higher value of consideration if the company has ownership that will be moving to the new location, but it still does not override the importance of the business case being the primary consideration. </font> <p><font color="#000000">All figures are percentages and are the total of "very important" and "important" ratings of the Area Development Corporate Survey and are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. </font> <p><font color="#000000">In the top categories, there are a number of factors in which I believe Shasta County rates high, others in which we are deficient but may be out of our control, and still others in which we could use some work. </font> <p><font color="#000000">On the plus side, Shasta County has excellent highway accessibility and excellent proximity to major markets located equidistant between Southern California and the Pacific Northwest. Our availability and cost of land is good and will be enhanced greatly with Stillwater's completion. Although our labor costs are competitive for California, the availability of "skilled labor" needs attention. Shasta College, along with other educational and training institutions, can be assets as the demand for training continues to grow. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The county's energy availability and costs are a big asset with two locally owned municipal utilities that can offer sometimes significantly lower rates, and our telecommunication infrastructure is good and improving. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The factors that are out of our control are state incentives, corporate tax rate, tax exemptions and environmental regulations. </font> <p><font color="#000000">In the quality of life categories, some of these are in the "eye of the beholder," but certainly we look very good for recreation, health facilities, climate and low crime rate, especially relating to gang violence. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Although our housing costs have gone up with the market, our availability of housing is very good. Cultural amenities have greatly improved, we have numerous distinguished schools and higher education options are improving with Simpson University, National University and the Shasta College University Center. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Overall, Shasta County can provide a competitive alternative, especially in California, where access to the market can be a major consideration for certain types of companies. Paying attention to surveys like these are also of great value by creating an awareness of what it takes to be competitive. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">EDC Supports Enhanced Air Service Opportunity - 11/7/2005 </font> <p><font color="#000000">SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA—The Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County is pleased to announce financial support in the amount of $1,000 as part of Redding Municipal Airport’s participation in a US Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Grant Application that will potentially enhance air service opportunities for Shasta County, as well as other areas of California.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The grant, in the amount of $250,000, which has been approved, is being funded to complete a route study in California and to identify potential airlines that might be interested in providing intrastate passenger airline service. The grant was awarded officially to the Coalition of California Airports which is being sponsored by the San Joaquin Council of Governments. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Along with San Joaquin and the EDC of Shasta County there are seven other private economic development groups in California that are also participating in the cash match requirement for the grant. Other communities involved in this effort to add air service include San Luis Obispo, Sonoma County, Stanislaus Economic Development, and Visalia Economic Development Corporation.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County promotes enhanced air service as part of its Shasta 2011 Business Plan and has worked with the Redding Municipal Airport on other air service projects, including the newest Horizon Airlines direct service to Los Angeles. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <p><font color="#000000">Antelope Valley, California Ranked Among Top Locations by Forbes - </font> <p><font color="#000000">KERN COUNTY, CA —The Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County, California is pleased to announce that Forbes magazine has ranked the city of Redding among the “Best Small Metros” for job growth in its “2005 Best Places for Business and Careers” article. The Palmdale/Lancaster MSA, which includes Kern County, with a population of 379,000, ranked fourth in job growth out of a total of 168 small cities ranked. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Redding also ranked in the top ten for “Net Migration” (seventh) and number 24 for “Income Growth.” All rankings were among a total of 168 small cities. The rankings for job growth, income growth and net migration were based on five-year annualized figures. For its annual rankings, Forbes analyzes America’s 150 largest metros and 168 smaller areas.</font> <p><font color="#000000">“We are very pleased that Forbes, one of the world’s premiere business publications, has realized that California City in the Antelope Valley is a growing location in California for business and industry,” said Jim Quiggle, President of the Economic Development Corporation of California City in Kern County. “We are pleased with the job and income growth but realize we need to bring more and better paying jobs to the region.”</font> <p><font color="#000000">According to labor market information provided by the California Employment Development Department’s (EDD) Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, for total industry employment, not seasonally adjusted, the average five-year job growth in the Antelope Valley MSA was 2.9 percent. This was more than double the statewide job growth average of 1.1 percent during the same period and more than seven times than the 0.4 percent growth reported nationally for non-farm employment seasonally adjusted.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Previously, both Money Magazine and Expansion Management Magazine have recognized the Kern County metro area for its quality business environment.</font> <p><font color="#000000">One of the questions that most often drive the search for a new business location, according to Quiggle, is whether the candidate location has the workforce needed. According to a recent study conducted by The Pathfinders, a site selection consultant for many of America’s largest corporations, the total number of employees available for employers was just less than 15,000. There were 8,000 underemployed workers, 5,800 unemployed persons seeking work and 1,100 persons not working, but contemplating re-entering the workforce. The underemployed workers might also be termed “upgraders.” They desire to move into an upgraded job and appear to possess the skills, education and experience enabling them to do so.</font> <p><font color="#000000">The Kern County workforce has received high marks for productivity. Many of the companies in Kern County report that their operations compare favorably to other locations in terms of profitability and production. According to The Pathfinders, most of the companies interviewed in Kern County reported turnover to be low, also boosting productivity and profitability.</font> <p><font color="#000000">California City is strategically located on Highway 14, Highway 58 and Highway 14 equidistant between Ridgecrest and Palmdale/Lancaster. Boasting a high quality of life, unmatched recreational opportunities, excellent schools, affordable housing, first-class healthcare, and a welcoming business environment, the county is a preferred location for business and industry. </font> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <h3> <font color="#008080">Administrative Office and Hours</font></h3> <blockquote><b><font color="#FF0000"><font size=+2>California City EDC</font></font></b> <br><b><font color="#FF0000">8001 Cal City Blvd.</font></b> <br><b><font color="#FF0000">California City Ca 93505</font></b> <br><b><font color="#FF0000">(760) 373-2007</font></b> <br><a href="http://www.califcity.com/survey.html">email inquiry form</a> <br><a href="http://www.califcity.com/directions.html">map and driving instructions to office</a></blockquote> <blockquote>Office hours: <br>  Monday - Friday <br>  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST <p>Read the <i><a href="http://www.califcity.com/history-1958.html">Historical Summary of Economic Development of California City</a></i></blockquote> </td> <td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <center><table BORDER CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=5 WIDTH="150" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" > <tr> <td ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="100%"> <center> <b><font color="#000080">Antelope Valley Press has recognized that the Antelope Valley is the </font></b> <b><font color="#000099">"the last valley" in Los Angeles County, and one of the last areas in the five-county area with room to grow, considering environmental restrictions in other counties.</font></b> <br><b><font color="#000099"><a href="http://califcity.com/avnr.html">Read Press Release</a></font></b></center> </td> </tr> </table></center> </td> </tr> </table> <b><font color="#FF0000"><font size=-1>These pages are made possible through the generosity of Al and Katy Gagnon of <a href="http://www.califcity.com">California City Real Estate</a>.</font></font></b></td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>