Public invited to attend.

[view:node_ad=5]The Valley Industrial Association, Santa Clarita Valley
Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Clarita and Builders Industrial Association
will host an in-depth panel discussion on the merits, challenges and vision for
workforce housing and employee mobility in the Santa Clarita Valley at the next
Valley Industrial Association luncheon on Tuesday, September 16, beginning at
11:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive in Valencia.

 

Organizers of the event say that local employers have
experienced difficulty retaining employees in recent years and attracting new
ones due, in part, to the inability of many workers to afford to live in the
same area as they work. As a result, the lack of affordable housing often
forces workers to live in outlying areas and commute long distances. The rise
in fuel costs only adds to the hardship. Hourly workers and mid-management
personnel have been the most effected.

 

To address the issue, VIA sponsored a Workforce Housing
symposium earlier this year and invited around 40 community thought-leaders to
discuss the issues affecting local businesses and the community at-large. It
was discovered that economic growth for many businesses operating in the Santa
Clarita Valley was inhibited due to the lack of local workers, since the cost
of housing had outpaced the rate of income change.

 

The September 16 luncheon is the next step in developing
long-term solutions. The panel discussion will focus on the current and future
critical needs of economic development, business, industry and the community.

 

Panelists include:

• Bill Kennedy, VIA board member,
  chairman-elect SCV Chamber of Commerce, and planning commissioner for the City
  of Santa Clarita
• Paul Brotzman, director of community
  development, City of Santa Clarita
• Holly Schroeder, president/chief
  executive officer, Building Industry Association
• Fred Arnold, president, California
  Mortgage Brokers Association and American Family Funding
• Jack Shine, Habitat for Humanity

 

Julie Weith, VIA chairwoman of the board and Charlie Gill,
SCV Chamber of Commerce chairman, will provide opening remarks. Andy
Pattantyus, VIA board member, will moderate the event.  

  

The business luncheon is open to the public. Cost is $40 and
space is limited.  Reservations for the September 16 luncheon should be
received by Thursday, September 11 and can be made by calling VIA at (661)
294-8088 or by visiting www.via.org.