Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - BUSINESS INCENTIVES JOBS (2).AA .. NEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: BACKGROUND AGENDA REPORT City anaglt Approval: George A. Cazav dho Item to p ented by: Mich a andWA December 13, 1994 Business Incentives for Jobs Retention Community Recovery Agency The Economic Development efforts of the Community Recovery Agency are facing increasing competition for competitor cities seeking to attract businesses to their respective communities. This increasingly competitive nature of Economic Development is reflected in aggressive targeted marketing programs and increasingly sophisticated incentive packages being offered to firms to encourage their relocation. A recent example of the application of incentives involves an offer from a competitor city which is attempting to attract an existing Santa Clarita business with over, 100 employees. Their incentive package included; a partial waiver of fees,, a $2,000 cash incentive for each permanent job created, a low cost construction loan, and a special employee assistance program to help in relocation. Currently die City of Santa Clarita has no effective incentive programs, or negotiating flexibility with which to make a counter proposal that might assist in retaining an existing business in Santa Clarita, or to attract new businesses and jobs to die community. Staff does not feel that the attemptingeto compete solely on the basis of matching economic incentives is appropriate from a public policy perspective in term's of longterm benefit to the community.. However, staff does believe that City Council should consider the value of expanding the City's current Economic Development policy to allow for the waiver of part or all development fees,, based on potential jobs that might be created or retained with in the City, Once Recovery Agency tax increments become operational, then such waived fees could be reimbursed to the General Fund. Flexibility in the. application of fees and the utilization of redevelopment tools and resources can allow the City to undertake a much more proactive and competitive Economic Development program. RECOMMENDATION The City Council should authorize the City Manager to implement all possible incentives, including a waiver of part or all development fees, up to $20,000.00, as a mechanism to retain jobs within the City of Santa Clarita, and to report to City Council in six (6) months on the success of efforts. Economic Development Incentives Memorandum, December 5, 1994 MH:hs cwiw l211e .z Agenda Item:__._ CITY OF SANTA CLARITA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: George A, Caravalho, City Manager FROM: Michael K. Haviland, Marketing and Economic Development Manager DATE: December 5, 1994 SUBJECT: Economic Development Incentives The following is an outline of the incentives being offered to a 150 employee company in the Valencia Industrial Park. The company's lease on their current property is about to expire, and they need new space to expand into. The President and the employees want to stay in Santa Clarita; but, the parent company which owns the firm is looking at the bottom line. The City of Palmdale is aggressively courting this business to move to Palmdale. The following g is a breakdown comparison of Palmdale vs. Santa Clarita as a location for this firm. 11 Palmdale Cash Incentive: $2,000 per employee based on projection of two years from now: 150 employees x $2,000 = $300,000 cash (this is a cash check from the City) Permit Waivers: Maximum cap of $50,000 for all permits. Low Cost Building Loan: Land Cost: Employee Assistance: ecnnJ ev \incentive. mem Palmdale offers low interest loan (terms not identified) .950 sq. foot A special package of incentives designed to help the employees of companies who move to the Antelope Valley includes special home financing as well as discounts for builders, lenders, and local merchant. Employees could save up to $10,000 on the cost of a new home and its furnishings. Santa Clarita Cash Incentive: No incentive Permit Waivers: Na waive of permits: = $122,490 cost for. company Low Cost Building Loan: Land Cost: Employee Assistance: Nolow interest loans $7.00 - $8.50/sq. foot No Program