ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Chamber uses its many resources to find ways and means to set the environment to create a strong local economy. The Chamber’s own Home & Business Expo is an event that supports local economic growth, as it brings SCV businesses and residents together to promote shopping local. In addition to hosting this annual promotional event, the Chamber supports the growth of the economy by offering its members various opportunities to promote their organizations to others, while strongly encouraging members to purchase products and services from one another.
The Chamber also works closely with the City of Santa Clarita and other economic development entities that provide programs designed to assist with business retention and expansion. The Chamber encourages our business members to educate themselves about the many incentive programs available to businesses in the City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley. To learn more about incentives such as the Enterprise Zone program and the Use Tax Rebate Program click on the link below: http://thinksantaclarita.com/Index.aspx?page=55 Lastly, the Chamber is recognized for its advocacy efforts with local, regional and state government. The Chamber will consistently appear before governmental entities and commissions to represent business policies that supports the growth and development of the Santa Clarita Valley. The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce works, on behalf of its members, to maintain a healthy business climate. The Chamber takes an active role in attempting to influence government in support or opposition of business legislation that will impact its members. The Chamber represents its members before local, state and federal governmental entities and provides a forum for its members to develop policy positions that impact the Santa Clarita business community. After the development of policy positions are completed, the Chamber uses its significant media resources to educate its members and the community concerning the Chamber’s position on the issue. The Chamber has Governmental Affairs/Transportation Committee that meets monthly to develop policy position on issues. The Chamber also meets bi-monthly with city officials to review and discuss city issues at the Council Review meeting. The Chamber provides access to the political leadership of both Sacramento and Washington DC, as it organizes trips to both destinations each year. These trips are established to allow members of the Chamber the opportunity to lobby for support of issues and legislation vital to the health and well-being of the community. The Chamber committee structure and board of directors actively review and construct policy positions on issues that impact business. Issues in the areas of taxation, healthcare, transportation and economic development are targets of committee discussions each month. The Chamber’s board of directors also endorses candidates in certain local races, such as City Council, Board of Education and Water Boards. The organization will generally support candidates who are recognized as being “business friendly.” |
Advocacy
|