>> Press Release: Lancaster Named Most Business-Friendly City [PDF]

>> Press Release: LAEDC Announces Finalists: “Most Business-Friendly City” Award [PDF]

Thefinalist cities of Burbank, Cerritos, Lancaster, Long Beach, Palmdale and Santa Clarita have been selected from the 88 cities in LA County by a blue-ribbon panel of judges for their commitment to attracting and retaining businesses which provide quality jobs for their residents.

MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITY 2007
Lancaster

Lancaster combines plentiful land at affordable prices, strong incentives including an Enterprise Zone and redevelopment project areas, a fast-track permit process and a dedicated project ombudsman to attract businesses to its city.   They have an aggressive and pro-business City Council, which takes a practical approach to business. They also have a well-educated and experienced workforce, which contributes to an ideal environment for businesses to thrive and grow.

Burbank

Burbank has no gross receipts business license tax, and a streamlined permit process.  They provide innovative financing programs for businesses and offer competitive incentive programs.  They also actively market their city services to key decision makers and major corporations.  Free “wifi” service in their downtown area and competitive utility user taxes are additional benefits of doing business in Burbank. 

Cerritos

Cerritos offers businesses a strategic location.  They assess the needs of existing businesses and provide an ombudsman to escort businesses through their development projects. They have a business improvement district, and have designated portions of the city as “redevelopment project areas” providing opportunities for innovative financing. Cerritos offers a streamlined permit process and is dedicated to strategic planning and high-quality development standards.  They are also a “no-or-low property tax city.” 


Long Beach

Long Beach has demonstrated its commitment to retaining jobs in its region through an investment in the local business community by offering Enterprise Zone benefits, expedited permit processing, and a transparent proactive government comprised of civic leaders who understand the necessity of planned growth.   Their Long Beach Business Development Center offers grants and loans, permit and site selection assistance, and help with employee recruitment and training.


Palmdale

The City of Palmdale boasts affordable land for development, proactive business-friendly city leaders, and is a no-or-low property tax city.   Palmdale also provides a comprehensive array of incentives, including Enterprise Zone, redevelopment project areas, stream-lined permit processing, dedicated project managers, industrial development bonds, development deferrals and or waivers, a business liaison and a foreign trade zone for those businesses involved in international trade.  They also have a talented and eager workforce.

Santa Clarita

Among the benefits of doing business in the City of Santa Clarita is that it doesn’t have a business license fee, nor does it assess a utility user tax and it has one of the State’s newest Enterprise Zones.  Santa Clarita offers its businesses and residents a highly educated workforce, available land for development, site selection assistance, expedited plan reviews and permit processing, and a high quality of life.  It is also a thriving center for industry clusters such as aerospace manufacturing, bio-medical, entertainment and technology.