Chamber president outlines plans for ’13

Fred Arnold 2013 president, SCV Chamber of Commerce and Mortgage Professional, American Family Funding Q: For our readers, define the Chamber's objective. A: I think the primary goal is helping to serve our 1,100 members so they can continue to be or become world-class companies and organizations. Our goal is to develop programs and assist in them becoming that. Q: What has been your involvement with the Chamber? A: Last year I helped develop the ...

Best quotes in business for 2012

Real estate "Our market is thirsty for inventory, and while we don't need a flood of inventory, we need a little more to keep it stable and homebuyers' hopes up." - Cherrie Brown, Keller Williams VIP Properties in January 2012 Editor's Note: The real estate market recovered so quickly in 2012 that inventory of existing homes for sale nearly disappeared by the end of the year. In February there was a 4.5-month supply - a ...

Precision Dynamics sold to Wisconsin firm

Precision Dynamics Corp. of Valencia was acquired by Milwaukee, Wis.-based Brady Corp. for $300 million in cash, the Brady Corp. announced Friday.

Zone win a highlight of year

Editors Note: This series highlights and updates noteworthy business events from 2012. As Santa Clarita and AMS Fulfillment of Valencia grew, the one thing both lacked was a foreign trade zone status - allowing companies to act as a U.S. port clearing merchandise through a local entity. The area lacked this designation until AMS Fulfillment achieved that status Aug. 8 when it received a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, notifying the third-party order-fulfillment, ...

Year in review: Landing on Mars was a big deal

Editors Note: This series highlights and updates noteworthy business events from 2012. When NASA's Rover, Curiosity, landed flawlessly on Mars in early August, engineers from Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Lab cheered. So too, did the employees from the Valencia-based Tri Tek and Flextronics companies. "It was really exciting," said Mark Rober, mechanical engineer for JPL. "We gave it a perfect 10." Saying he was in the right place at the right time, Rober landed a job ...

An interview with SRAR’s new president

Bob Khalsa, 2013 president, Southland Regional Association of Realtors Santa Clarita Division and President, United America Realty

Real estate rebounds in 2012

The long-awaited recovery in the real estate market hit with an explosion in January 2012 when local Santa Clarita Valley home sales posted double-digit increases of 47.5 percent and price increases of 4 percent from January 2011, according to the report by the Southland Regional Association of Realtors.

Inc. recognizes local companies

Two local companies have been recognized by the entrepreneurial-focused Inc. Magazine in its debut of the Hire Power Awards.

Year in Review: Startup event attracts attention

Editors Note: This series highlights and updates noteworthy business events from 2012.

New home permits and starts up

Building permits of 899,000 in November were up nearly 29 percent from the same period in 2011. The permits were also up nearly 4 percent from the revised October rate.

An interview with VIA’s new chairman

The Signal: For our readers, define VIA's objective. Alan DiFatta: Building and connecting SCV industry. Q: What has been your involvement with VIA? A: I'm a past chair and was the 2012 vice-chair of programs. I was also a chair for B2B and the Regional Tri-County Conference Q: Why do you want to be chairman? A: They made it easy because all of the leadership is coming back so that was an easy ...

VIA board of directors installed

The Valley Industry Association installed its 2013 board of directors Tuesday at the Valencia Country Club. Chairwoman Diana Meyer also passed the gavel to incoming Chairman Alan DiFatta. Likening the economic recovery to "coming out of the forrest," DiFatta told VIA members it was time to become entrepreneurs and leaders in the community again. Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, swore in the 2013 board of directors - Alan DiFatta, Diana Meyer, Tim Burkhart, Andrea McAfee, ...

Currently Filming in SCV

Film and TV productions bring revenue and jobs to Santa Clarita. You might run into a film crew any day. Here are some productions that are currently shooting around town.

Manufacturer opens to customers

A local manufacturer has decided to open its warehouse doors to customers once a month in an effort to expand its customer base.

VICA targets reform priorities in 2013

The Valley Industry and Commerce Association released its 2013 Legislative Priorities on Wednesday.

Mission Valley Bank president selected to head up California Independent Bankers

Tamara Gurney, Mission Valley Bank president and CEO, has been selected as the California Independent Bankers 2013 incoming president, said a spokesman for the bank.

Williams Homes building in Santa Clarita

Williams Homes announced its latest new home development on Wednesday, which is based in Santa Clarita.

Newhall retail center sold

A Newhall retail center, Stagecoach Plaza, has sold for $8.5 million to a Los Angeles buyer.

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.

US housing starts surpass 1 million in March

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. homebuilders broke the 1 million mark in March for the first time since June 2008. The gain signals continued strength for the housing recovery at the start of the spring buying season.

Ocon U.S. HealthWorks VP of Tax

Ramon Ocon has been named as the Vice President of Tax for U.S. HealthWorks of Valencia.

Pegi Matsuda to head VEDC’s board

Pegi Matsuda has been appointed as the Chairwoman of the Valley Economic Development Center's board of directors, where she has served on the board for the past 10 years.

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.

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.

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