| - |
| For decades, the Valley Press has been trying to get the attention
of four Los Angeles County supervisors to underscore the fact that the
Valley's rapid growth is a gold mine for additional cash flow to county
coffers. |
| - |
| Supervisor Mike Antonovich, whose 5th District embraces the L.A.
County portion of the Antelope Valley, learned this basic truth years
ago, but we suspect that the supervisors who represent the L.A. basin
districts are oblivious to the soaring assessed valuations that are
occurring here. |
| |
| We urge Antonovich to inform the other four supervisors that
Lancaster was No. 1 in assessed growth percentage (29.2%) and Palmdale
was No. 2 in increased valuations (21.2%) in just one year. Palmdale's
48,277 properties have an aggregate assessed value of $10.3 billion.
Lancaster's 52,275 properties were assessed at nearly $9.7 billion. |
| |
| Palmdale ranked 11th and Lancaster was 14th in terms of total
property value among the county's 88 cities. The point is tat all five
supervisors should work to promote the Antelope Valley's economy because
this is where the county can harvest more and more property tax money
year after year. |
| |
| Jack Kyser, senior vice president and chief economist, told Valley
Press Business Editor Tina Forde: "A lot of people don't quite
understand what goes on in the Antelope Valley." "This is another area
that has seen positive growth trends, with total employment in 2006
estimated at a new record level of 72,690 jobs. "Much of the recent
growth has been powered by retail trade. "The region is a center for
advanced aerospace research and development, with a current focus on
unmanned aerial vehicles. |
| |
| "Since it has lots of land and affordable housing, the Antelope
Valley has seen some additional economic development. However, the area
is still challenged by generally fuzzy perceptions of its assets. "The
average annual salary was $33,524, which ranks it 12th in the county.
However, the average payroll for the fairly small manufacturing sector
was a hefty $53,636 (thank you aerospace)." |
| |
| Although this region is the largest geographically, there is a need
for many more high paying jobs. Even with gasoline prices soaring, there
are more than 50,000 workers commuting daily to the L.A. basin in order
to hold on to their elevated income levels. |
| |
| Kyser tells people who complain there is no affordable housing and
no land and that the cities are hostile to big business should be asked,
"Have you ever heard of the Antelope Valley?" It could become this
region's growth slogan: "Have you ever heard of the Antelope Valley?" |
| - |
 |