Businesses win awards for advice

Three Santa Clarita businesses won a Valley's Trusted Advisor award Wednesday from the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

Hotel occupancy in SCV up 9.1 percent

The number of nights hotel rooms were occupied in the Santa Clarita Valley jumped 9.1 percent, marking the largest percentage increase in occupancy among Los Angeles markets, when comparing January through August 2011.

Bank expands local services

The California United Bank's Valencia branch recently announced an expansion of its commercial lending operations.

Brown signs workforce-training bill

Employment-resource centers across the state, such as the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center, will now have to spend at least 25 percent of their annual federal funding on vocational training, under legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last week.

Report: Tourism boosts SCV markets in tough economy

On Santa Clarita's economic front, tourism is strong, home and condominium prices rose, filming is up and there was an increase in sales-tax revenue.

A luxury line for any occasion

In the highly competitive business of limousine rentals, a company "is only as good as their last pick-up," said Vin Bali, vice president of Lightning Limos. And now, the customer-driven, Santa Clarita-based transportation company is just entering its fifth year of business providing sedans, limousines and party buses to some 400 accounts, ranging from small to large companies, and a host of private passengers, as well. Lightning Limos owns the five sedans and three party ...

SCV’s hotel occupancy surpasses majority of local markets

The number of nights hotel rooms were occupied in the Santa Clarita Valley jumped 9.1 percent, marking the largest percentage increase in occupancy among Los Angeles markets, when comparing January through August 2011.

Proposals made to change tax code

As the federal government grapples with the budget deficit, proposals have been made to change the tax code as a solution to generating increased tax revenues.

Local man wins iPad from Galpin Subaru

When Joe Ferezy, general manager of Galpin Subaru, called to let Evan Mendelzon know he'd won the dealership's drawing for a new iPad, Mendelzon couldn't believe he'd won.

Local company leads the charge

Quallion LLC is expanding use of its lithium-ion batteries from biomedical applications to aerospace and defense.

Auto sales strong in September

New-vehicle sales for September continue to improve, J.D. Power and Associates reported. Gathering transaction data from more than 8,900 retail franchisees through the United States, the marketing firm projected the seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 10.3 million units sold, marking the first time the retail selling rate would be above 10 million units since April. Locally, automotive dealers reported healthy sales, especially during Labor Day weekend, which kicked off September. Retail sales, as opposed to ...

Medicine for the community

Mike Quick is a busier man than usual this weekend. He's part of a team of four who joined forces to bring the Santa Clarita Jazz Festival to town for its inaugural event at the Valencia Country Club on Saturday.

Biomedical firm offers support for students

Boston Scientific reached out to the William S. Hart Union High School District on Friday, forming a bridge to the future for black high school students interested in entering the ever-growing biomedical field.

Did you miss these local stories?

"Sales glow bright for Divas" Sept. 24, 2011 Diva Dangles, formed in January 2011 by two local women who self-funded the start-up, is now selling its patent pending decorative charms that light up helping owners find items in their purses. The purse accessories are now selling in three local Santa Clarita boutiques. "Driven to the (Pop)Top" Sept. 25, 2011 John Allen's product ...

Event to honor legal community

The Santa Clarita Valley Bar Association, formed in 2003, is hosting its seventh annual Law Appreciation Day on Oct. 7, with a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.

VIA keynote speaker touts ‘lean’ and mean

The keynote speaker at the Valley Industry Association's luncheon on Tuesday said he was first introduced to the concept of lean manufacturing when his family had to make a decision between buying steel for their family operated business or putting food on the dinner table.

Local Boston Scientific working on back pain

Boston Scientific received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval last week for its second generation Precision Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator System, which controls pain.

More companies vying for spots at career fair

In a sign that the economic tides are shifting, more companies are signing up for the College of the Canyons spring job fair than the college has seen since 2008, said a spokesman for the college.

Retailer permits are approved for Patios

Permits have been issued for a fashion accessories retailer to occupy a portion of the space where The Westfield Group had petitioned the city of Santa Clarita to locate a Walmart Neighborhood Market, said an official with the city.

Second BevMo store to open in the Santa Clarita Valley

The second Santa Clarita Valley BevMo store opens in Canyon Country April 26, said Josh Phaneuf, with BevMo.

Santa Clarita Valley office vacancies rise slightly

Santa Clarita's first-quarter office vacancy rate rose slightly as one business moved out of the area and another, smaller firm moved in.

Family-run 7-Eleven closing after 27 years

What 7-Eleven, Inc. giveth, 7-Eleven, Inc. taketh.

Homeowners in need often become victims

If a company is asking for money upfront to perform a loan modification service, that's a red flag, said a local Realtor.

Bouquet getting repaved

Bouquet Canyon Road is getting a makeover.

Stores host block party to attract business

Sometimes it just takes a village of business owners to kick off a round of economic activity.

Median household income fell 7.3 percent in recession

Enterprise Zone audit reveals no major flaws

An exhaustive five-day audit of Santa Clarita's Enterprise Zone resulted in the program being given a green light with regards to running of the program and credits granted.

Kaiser Permanente expanding its practice

Kaiser Permanente first opened its doors to Santa Clarita residents in 1994. But in October 2012, the integrated managed care medical group purchased a second building in Valencia.

Education has been key to its growth, local escrow company says

Independently owned and operated since 1998 by Jim and Anita Lombardi of Santa Clarita, Federal Escrow Inc. has been offering every type of escrow imaginable.

Small business center launches restaurant startup program

The Small Business Development Center, hosted by College of the Canyons, offers a wide array of services, many at no cost to new and existing business owners.