SANTA CLARITA VALLEY VALENCIA Alfred Mann, chief executive of MannKind Inc., reduced the biotech company’s debt by more than $107 million last month. Mann paid down the debt through Mann Group, another entity he runs, by completing his purchase of 40 million shares from MannKind. Mann now controls almost 50 percent of the Valencia company’s outstanding shares, which shareholders voted Dec. 20 to increase by 57 percent to 550 million. MannKind has developed an inhalable insulin drug and device awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval. H2Scan Corp. announced Dec. 21 that its hydrogen detection equipment will be incorporated into monitoring systems made by Parker Hannifin Corp. The agreement between Valencia’s H2Scan and the Cleveland company is a big step for H2Scan, Chief Executive Dennis Reid said in a statement. The monitors with H2Scan detectors will be used in oil refineries and plants producing petrochemicals, fertilizers and ammonia. Several years ago Parker Hannifin, a global manufacturer of motion and control systems, used H2Scan analyzers in monitors for a large BP project. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY STUDIO CITY Henry’s Tacos did not close Dec. 31 after two longtime patrons expressed interest in buying the historic taco stand and entered into lease negotiations with the landlord. Janis Hood, who owns the stand that her grandfather founded decades ago, had planned to close it after a rent hike and a failed effort to have it declared a city landmark. Hood said she expected Henry’s to remain open at least through Jan. 10 even if patrons Matt Kyken and Steve Rose do not reach an agreement with landlord Mehran Ebrahimpour of Beverly Hills. VAN NUYS The North Valley Occupational Center-Aviation Center, which trains students in aviation mechanics, is threatened with closure due to Los Angeles Unified School District budgetary problems. The district is seeking a rent reduction from airport operator Los Angeles World Airports, a city department. The Van Nuys Airport Association, the National Business Aviation Association and other business groups have said the program is critical and have asked the district to keep the school open. Aircraft maintenance firms, commercial carriers and aerospace companies hire students from the program. The Valley Economic Development Center has entered into a partnership with the Nevada Microenterprise Initiative. The Henderson, Nev. institute trains entrepreneurs by offering technical assistance and helping them gain access to loans. VEDC is creating a Small Business Nevada Loan Program as part of the partnership, and will offer loans of $50,000 to $250,000 to small California businesses that want to expand their company by creating jobs in Nevada. VEDC Chairman Don St. Clair said the partnership will keep the Nevada institute afloat and allow VEDC to expand its services. SYLMAR Republic Services Inc., the operator of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar, is being sued by a group of six people who live within three miles of the dump. The purported class-action lawsuit filed Dec. 11 in Los Angeles Superior Court accuses the company of not properly maintaining the facility, which takes in more than 9,000 tons of garbage a day. The residents claim the trash and gas fumes coming off the landfill emit a sour stench which impacts their comfort and home values. The plaintiffs are requesting damages and to have Republic correct the problem. The comppany is currently under orders by the South Coast Air Quality Management District to improve the facility, which has been issued notices of violation and fines by the agency. Republic has declined comment on the lawsuit. CONEJO VALLEY THOUSAND OAKS The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley will launch its Science, Technology, Engineering & Math robotics program Jan. 22. Students will make robotic vehicles and creatures in the hands-on courses that run through March 13. Neal Friedman, owner of Simi Valley’s Robotics & Things Inc., will teach the classes.
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