AREA RESISTS SLUMP SO FAR LOCAL ECONOMY STILL EXPANDING.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer PALMDALE - While major market indices are down in the nation and the state continues to struggle through an energy crisis, local officials say the Antelope Valley's economy remains solid. ``I haven't heard any negative comments from those looking to expand into the region,'' said Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts Frank Roberts may refer to:
Officials of the Michaels craft store chain recently announced plans to expand its distribution center in Lancaster, adding about 100 jobs. In Palmdale, officials in the Sam's Club Sam's Club is a membership-only warehouse club owned and operated by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. History The first Sam's Club opened in April 1983 in Midwest City, Oklahoma in the United States.[1] Sam's Club is named after Sam Walton. chain plan to open a store by 2003 at Avenue O-8 and 10th Street West. Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley officials said they are still negotiating with other corporations that may be increasing local employment opportunities, including an aircraft modification A change in the physical characteristics of aircraft, accomplished either by a change in production specifications or by alteration of items already produced. company whose representatives have been looking at the area between Fox Field and the Antelope Valley Freeway The Antelope Valley Freeway is a freeway in Los Angeles and Kern counties in southern California. It is signed as California State Highway 14 along its length. It connects Greater Los Angeles to the rapidly developing Antelope Valley. . In Palmdale, a Sun Valley light pole manufacturer expects to begin construction this year on facilities in a new industrial center being developed near Avenue O and 10th Street West. Others' interest in the 120-acre industrial center is heating up as the city completes water and sewer lines and other improvements. ``Antelope Valley is in a good position,'' said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. ``We offer cost effectiveness - land, an available work force and an educated community. These are all desirable to businesses looking to set up shop.'' Economists at the University of California, Los Angeles UCLA comprises the College of Letters and Science (the primary undergraduate college), seven professional schools, and five professional Health Science schools. Since 2001, UCLA has enrolled over 33,000 total students, and that number is steadily rising. , predict a 90 percent chance the nation will slip into a recession this year, but expect that effects on Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, might be mild. California's energy crisis is not yet seen as a major economic problem because the cost of electricity is not a major component of California business costs, according to the quarterly UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Anderson Forecast. If the crisis lingers, however, it could reduce business expansion. David Myers, the regional representative for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., agrees. ``If we don't deal with the energy crisis fairly soon - by that I mean by the end of spring - then it might have a real impact,'' Myers said. ``If we come to grips with the energy crisis, the impact will be limited.'' Putting energy questions aside, Myers said the Antelope Valley should fare as well as the rest of Southern California in the coming months. ``A lot of good companies are looking at the area,'' Myers said. ``In the next few months there will be positive economic announcements.'' |
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