Antelope Valley

Economic Report on the Region

January- June 2000

FIRST HALF 2000 information, provided by Industry Roundtable participants, indicates further strengthening of the Greater Antelope Valley Region's economy.
Significant improvement was noted in:

  • Employment
  • Home Sales and Construction
  • Industry Attraction
  • Population Growth
  • Retail / Commercial Space Absorption
  • Speculation Building and Site Infrastructure for Industry

The most significant economic development coming into the year 2000, was the December 23 announcement that SR Technics, the maintenance and modification arm of SwissAir, will locate its North American Corporate Headquarters at the Palmdale Regional Airport. The company expects to employ up to 6,000 persons in the next five to seven years.

Also significant was the announcement of an agreement between the City of Palmdale and the Los Angeles World Airports Department for development of commercial capabilities and service at Palmdale Regional Airport / Air Force Plant 42. The agreement includes further infrastructure development to enhance the existing terminal's operational capacity for passengers and freight, and to provide improved ground access to the airport.

Aerospace manufacturing remained little changed from 1999. Several companies continued to experience the effects of corporate restructuring. Northrop Grumman Corp. predicts future work at their Palmdale facility with the acquisition of Teledyne Ryan, maker of the new Global Hawk long-range surveillance aircraft and other aerospace

systems. Northrop Grumman announced some activities now conducted in San Diego would be relocated to Palmdale.

Marconi Flight Systems, Inc. (formerly Tracor) merged with B.A.E., headquartered in the U.K., continuing to be among the employment growth leaders in the Antelope Valley aerospace sector, with operations at Mojave Airport and Palmdale.

The Greater Antelope Valley began the year 2000 with the most affordable housing, quality workforce pool and the largest inventory of developable industrial land in Southern California.

Quality of life continued positive and even improved in most areas. The Antelope Valley experienced a reduction in crime rates and an addition of new amenities which provide urban comforts in a rural suburban environment.

Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance

1 (800) 888-7483

Industry Roundtable Report

FIRST HALF 2000



Antelope Valley

New Developments

New Developments City Highlights

Manufacturing/Distribution
Anderson Barrows Metals Corporation Palmdale Expanding to 147,000 Sq.Ft.

Deutrel Industries Lancaster 13,933 Sq.Ft.

Robert F. Chapman Lancaster 62,000 Sq.Ft. -100 Jobs

Lance Camper Lancaster 124,000 Sq.Ft Expansion

Michael's Stores Lancaster Regional Distribution Center

Murphy Switch Company Palmdale 58,515 Sq.Ft.

PRC DeSoto Mojave 44,000 Sq.Ft.

Rexhall Industries Lancaster 286,00 Sq.Ft. Expansion

Rite Aid Corporation Lancaster Southwest Customer Service Center

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Lancaster 17,000 Sq.Ft. Call Center

Thermal R&D Lancaster Automotive Manufacturer

U.S. Architectural Lighting Palmdale $4 M Plant, 100,000 Sq.Ft.

Mining

U.S. Borax Boron Expansion bringing employment to over 800

Real Estate/Development

Airport Industrial Park California City SPEC Building Construction

Millennium Development Company Lancaster SPEC in Lancaster Business Park 63,000 Sq.Ft.

North Valley Business Center Lancaster SPEC

SKN Development Palmdale SPEC Projects from 11,000 to 24,000 Sq.Ft.

Recreation

Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Lancaster New & Expanded Fairgrounds

Cascades Resort in Rancho Vista Palmdale $12 M 18 Hole Golf Course and Country Club

Cinemark Lancaster 22 Screen Theater Complex

FuncoLand Palmdale

Gretzky Roller Hockey Center Lancaster

Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance

1 (800) 888-7483

Industry Roundtable Report

FIRST HALF 2000