COMPANY TO TURN SOIL IN MOORPARK : SDI GROUNDBREAKING PLANNED.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

After years of negotiations, local and state officials will join today with representatives of a manufacturing company in breaking ground on a $20 million project that could bring up to 500 jobs to Moorpark by early next year.

Special Devices Inc., headquartered in Newhall since 1960, is moving its corporate offices and research and shipping operations to a site just east of State Route 23 at New Los Angeles Avenue. Although 450 to 500 jobs will be created by the start of operations, a total of 1,200 may be generated by 2010, said project manager Ed Ball.

``We're even more eager and anxious to move forward than before,'' Ball said. ``It's like once you've decided to buy a house - you want to buy it and move in as soon as possible.''

SDI, a leading manufacturer of the pyrotechnic device that inflates automobile air bags, was enticed to relocate by a multimillion-dollar incentive package that includes a freeway off-ramp to access the property.

The company negotiated for months with California's Red Team for economic retention - composed of state, county and local agencies - which were trying to keep SDI from relocating to Mesa, Ariz.

In addition to the financial incentives, Moorpark has enough land to accommodate the company's needs and is close to where key employees live, said Mayor Pat Hunter.

``Of course it will benefit the city of Moorpark,'' Hunter said. ``But this also sends a very strong signal to businesses that California wants to compete. Given that chance, we believe we will succeed.''

With a multimillion-dollar payroll supporting hundreds of employees, SDI is expected to generate a significant increase in Moorpark's tax revenue, city officials said.

In addition to bringing jobs to the city, employees will use Moorpark's gas stations, restaurants and other local services. The company also is expected to utilize Moorpark's support services, such as electricians, janitorial services and supplies.

SDI, which employs about 450 people in Placerita Canyon and 550 more in Mesa, shipped 13.5 million air-bag initiators in 1995, and sold close to 18 million last year, said John Vinke, SDI's chief financial officer.

With an increasing demand for side-impact air bags, the company expects to produce roughly 40 million initiators over the next few years between both plants combined, Vinke said.

``We're excited,'' Vinke said. ``We're looking forward to getting to Moorpark as fast as we can.''

THE FACTS

WHAT: Groundbreaking ceremony for Special Devices Inc.

WHEN: 4 p.m. today.

WHERE: Meet at Moorpark City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave., for transportation to the site.

CAPTION(S):

Boxx: (Ran in Conejo, Simi and SAC) THE FACTS (see text)