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.

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

SBDC has a record year

The Santa Clarita-based Small Business Development Center had its most successful year to date in 2012, according to the business assistance center on Wednesday.

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.

Santa Clarita: SBDC Annual Report Highlights Clients' Small Business Success

SANTA CLARITA - In 2012, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the Canyons experienced its most successful operational year to date, with SBDC assisted clients combining to start 53 new small businesses and create or retain 937 local jobs.

U.S. HealthWorks appoints new VP of sales

Jeanne Osterlund has been promoted to Vice President of Sales at Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks.

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.

AAF 2013 ADDY Award Winners are announced

Several local companies won ADDY awards last week from the American Advertising Federation's Los Angeles North chapter.

Lean manufacturing to be discussed

Lean Manufacturing is the topic at the Valley Industry Association business luncheon on April 16.

Princess Cruises’ newest ship is floated out

Construction of Princess Cruises' newest ship, "Regal Princess," reached a milestone Friday when the cruise ship was floated out of its building dock at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

New name, focus for construction company

When 23-year-old Jim Coffey started Jimco Electrical Construction in 1988, he had little more than a pickup truck to work out of, a couple years of on-the-job training and a buzz of enthusiasm for electrical construction.

Retailer says buying habits have shifted

First opened in 1972, retailer Bouquet Auto Parts has been a part of the economic changes and trends in Santa Clarita for over 40 years, said its co-owner, Owen Powell.

Office vacancies fall

The economic snapshot report for December 2012 was released by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation – or SCVEDC – on March 21.

U.S. HealthWorks appoints Strickland national director

Scott Strickland has been appointed as National Director of Therapy Services for Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks.

Purchasing a home can be tricky these days

Editor's Note: This is the last of a two-part series on the local real estate market. Last Sunday's story focused on the homeowner, or seller. Today's story focuses on the buyer.