Simi Valley Acts to Find Tenant

The City of Simi Valley will form a Red Team of city officials and economic development groups to find a new tenant for the buildings being vacated by Farmers Insurance. The insurer announced Aug. 11 it would move 1,200 from its Simi Valley location to Woodland Hills starting early next year. The news came as a surprise to the city, which had no previous discussions with Farmers about their plans. “We are saddened and disappointed that Farmers made the announcement,” said Brian Gabler, director of economic development and an assistant city manager. “They have contributed mightily to the community.” Farmers is the second largest private employer in the city and has had offices there since 1982. The transfer of the employees will empty out a campus in the city’s downtown that is in the middle of a commercial corridor. The offices in Woodland Hills had been used by 21st Century Insurance, which Farmers acquired in 2009. The City Council is expected to vote on creating the Red Team at its Aug. 17 meeting. The team will be made up of two city council members, Representatives of the state Employment Development Department, the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County, the area Workforce Investment Board, and other economic development agencies, Gabler said.