Economic Development Group Moves Office

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation on Dec. 27 moved its office to College of the Canyons to be closer to other economic development groups, said the organization’s executive director Jonas Peterson. The organization’s office was moved from an office building complex on Magic Mountain Parkway, just east of Tourney Road, to the University Center at the local community college. The office’s new address is 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Suite 263. The move, which was approved by the organization’s board or directors in November, gives the organization better business networking capabilities since it is now located next to the local Small Business Development Center, the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center and the college’s economic development division, Peterson said. “It has everything we’re looking for, from visibility to access to partners being in close proximity to meeting space,” Peterson said. “The University Center has a very high level of foot traffic. … (And) it’s really just a hub of business activity, so it’s where we want to be.” While the 754-square-foot space at College of the Canyons is about the same size as the group’s former office, the new location gives the group the option to eventually expand into an additional 386-square-foot space. The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation only has two employees, including Peterson and an administration and special events manager. The organization is currently searching for a business retention and marketing manager, as well as partners for the organization. Peterson said he hopes the organization will eventually be able to expand. “It’s kind of too early too tell,” he said. “It depends on what kind of partners or programs we can put in place.” The organization was formed in 2009 to promote the Santa Clarita Valley as a business destination. During the summer of 2010, Peterson started working with the group as its first executive director.