Antelope Valley Fair provides business with telecommuting center.

The Antelope Valley Fair, a state agency, has made buildings available for a telecommuting center to assist businesses affected by the Northridge earthquake. Fairground buildings will be transformed into business centers and workstations in the center will be custom equipped with desks, chairs, phones, voice mail, pagers, computers, printers, fax machines and copiers.

Not only for earthquake affected businesses, the telecommuting center is also for students, small businesses and the public who may have an occasional need for such equipment or work space.

"This is a service that is not only a temporary solution to assist businesses and Antelope Valley residents affected by the Northridge earthquake, but will also assist employers long-term to meet the South Coast Air Quality Control Management District requirements," stated Bruce Latta, general manager of the fairgrounds. "The facility will give many users affordable access to the information highway."

"Telecommuting is not a temporary solution, but one that will serve us well into the future. Studies have shown it is beneficial to all involved by cutting costs for employers, increasing employee productivity and morale, and (it) gets cars off the freeway," Latta said.

Work stations can be rented hourly, weekly, monthly or on a per- project basis. Rental prices are based upon the square footage required, work station equipment requested, and grants obtained by the fair.

Floor plans have been drafted to transform an 8,000-square-foot exhibit building. The building is capable of housing 72 work stations each measuring 7'x7', and amenities include a conference room, reception area, kitchenette and large restrooms.

Other buildings will be transformed to accommodate additional telecommuters as demand dictates. The fairgrounds provide ample free parking, 24-hour security and a satellite downlink.

"We are able to use the satellite hook-up located here on the fairgrounds which will provide our telecommuters the use of teleconferencing," Latta said. With confirmation of tenants or users, the building would be equipped and operational in a short turn-around time, perhaps within 2-3 days. The facility is designed to provide user access 24-hours a day, seven days a week to allow employees flexible schedules.

Costs to electronically equip the exhibit building and to make improvements, including carpeting, a drop ceiling, paint and air conditioning could run as much as $300,000.

Funding is being provided to the fairgrounds by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Fairs and Expositions. The fair is also seeking possible grants from other sources in order to make the facility as cost free as possible to initial users.

"We want to make this a permanent part of the fairgrounds," Latta said. "Funds are being set aside to assemble temporary buildings or tents for use during fairtime which will house the exhibits normally featured in the buildings."

The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds is located at 155 E. Avenue "I", Lancaster, CA 93535, approximately 1 1/2 miles east of the 14 Freeway. Local bus service is provided to the fairgrounds. For additional information or to acquire a work station in the Telecommute Center at the fairgrounds, call 805/948-6060 ext. 200, 24-hours a day.

Lynn Schultz is the sponsorships/promotions assistant for Jill Lloyd & Associates.