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Santa Clarita Community Leaders Host ‘State Of The City’ Luncheon

The annual Santa Clarita “State of the City Luncheon,” themed “Lights, Camera, Santa Clarita,” celebrated the City of Santa Clarita’s current and future accomplishments, as well as the City’s growing relationship with the Hollywood film industry.

“Each year, the luncheon is an opportunity for the City Council and our city organizations to celebrate the accomplishments and progress made over the past 12 months,” said City Manager Ken Striplin at the opening of the event.

The luncheon presented guests with a behind-the-scenes look at the filming that occurs in Santa Clarita, updates from the City Council, videos highlighting current City projects and much more.

“We have several landmark projects under construction that will bring many new, amazing amenities to our community,” said Striplin. “We are fiscally sound, our streets are safe, crime is down, businesses are thriving and arts and culture are blossoming in the city.”

Lights, Camera, Santa Clarita

The theme was inspired by the major impact of the film industry upon the city. In the last fiscal year alone, the City issued 526 film permits — resulting in 1,380 film days — which generated an estimated economic impact of more than $33.4 million, according to Mayor Marsha McLean.

This number does not take into account filming on one of the more than 20 certified sound stages in Santa Clarita, which do not require a permit, along with 10 movie ranches in Santa Clarita.

In addition to the fiscal state of the city, officials also updated the gathered guests on the upcoming completion of the Santa Clarita 2020 Strategic Plan, which has guided city policy toward goals in public safety, building and creating community, and enhancing the local economy.

 

Major Projects

Mayor McLean highlighted the development of two major projects nearing completion under Santa Clarita 2020; the Canyon Country Community Center and the new Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The 9-acre project site at the corner of Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway has been completely transformed in preparation for the new Canyon Country Community Center, which is set to begin construction in the next few months.

The new Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, which is under construction on Golden Valley Road, between Centre Pointe Parkway and Sierra Highway is a replacement of the current facility in Valencia.

Once completed in early 2021, the new Sheriff’s Station is expected to sprawl over more than 44,000 square feet, with a transmission tower, vehicle maintenance facility and a helipad.

Public Safety

Santa Clarita is considered to be a very safe community, thanks to “residents, community leaders and our dedicated public safety officials who work together to keep it that way,” said Councilman Bob Kellar.

He said that “part one” crimes, such as homicide, rape, robbery, burglary and arson, dropped by 24.9 percent compared to last year — an all-time low for the city

Captain Robert Lewis of the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station credited much of the strides made in tackling crime to strong community relationships and support.

“Our dedicated deputies are able to be proactive thanks to a strong partnership with the community. We thank all of you who serve as ‘our eyes and ears’ by reporting any suspicious activity,” said Captain Lewis in a message to the community. “Together we are all working towards the same goal, of creating a place to call ‘home’ and raise our families.”

Vehicle collisions and resulting injuries are also greatly reduced. Santa Clarita’s collision rate dropped more than 32 percent and the injury rate fell by more than 36  percent compared to the previous year, according to Kellar.

Ever since the city started gathering statistics in 2001, the collision rate has dropped by 82 percent and the injury rate by 78 percent, per city reports.

“Business Friendly” Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita has been dubbed one of the most “business-friendly” cities in Los Angeles County for its heavy investment in local businesses.

With an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent as of July, the Santa Clarita Valley has added more than 20,000 local jobs over the past decade through support programs such as the Business Incubator, said Mayor Pro Tem Cameron Smyth.

“By supporting these creative and technology start-up companies, we are ultimately adding high-quality jobs to the community,” said Smyth. “Allowing more residents to find work here, in Santa Clarita.”

With local jobs comes the recent development activity with multiple housing and commercial projects expected for completion between 2020 and 2021, including the new Vista Canyon and Newhall Crossings projects.

Other updates on Santa Clarita growth included public transportation in the area, sharing that ridership had reached 2 million and that nearly 500,000 residents used the city’s commuter services, according to the City Council.

Additionally, the Councilmember Laurene Weste highlighted efforts to protect and utilize open space in and around the Santa Clarita Valley, with 12,000 acres of open space currently preserved across the valley.


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Santa Clarita Community Leaders Host ‘State Of The City’ Luncheon

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About Jade Aubuchon

A Santa Clarita native, Jade has spent her whole life involved in community outreach. After graduating from Learning Post High in 2015, she went on to College of the Canyons to pursue a double major in English and Marketing. Jade spent several years as a ballroom dance performer for a local studio and has performed at public and private events throughout Santa Clarita. As KHTS Co-News Director Jade oversees the KHTS news team, which covers all the latest news impacting Santa Clarita. Along with covering and writing her own news stories, Jade can be heard broadcasting the daily local news every weekday morning and afternoon drive-time twice an hour on KHTS 98.1FM and AM-1220. Jade is also instrumental in reporting on-the-scene local emergencies, covering them on-air and via Facebook Live and YouTube. Another dimension to Jade’s on-air skills and writing are her regular political and celebrity interviews, including her bi-monthly interview with our Congressman Mike Garcia and many other local politicians and community leaders.