As commercial and industrial development in Lancaster continue to grow; the local economy is expected to receive a significant boost in long-term job creation. Reportedly, companies are continuing to recognize the potential for growth in Lancaster and are relocating or expanding businesses, which is expected to add jobs to the city’s recovering economy.
“As we continue to successfully emerge from the recession, the value of these new positions at well-established and profitable firms is just enormous,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “We as a city are continuing to actively seek out new engines of economic growth, while promoting policies designed to attract companies to Lancaster.”
Morton Manufacturing is a Santa Clarita-based company that specializes in the production of aerospace fasteners. After being unable to acquire enough property in the Santa Clarita area to construct an additional facility, the company reportedly turned to Lancaster to fulfill their expansion needs.
Morton has begun construction of a new facility, creating approximately 150 construction jobs. Upon completion in late 2013, the new facility is expected to offer more than 150 new skilled jobs in addition to retaining 200 current positions.
Incotec is a Mojave-based company that produces coatings for aircraft components and, due to increased customer demand, had outgrown its single facility. Construction of Incotec headquarters in Lancaster has generated 15 jobs and is expected to employ anywhere from 50 to 75 new employees by the end of the year.
In healthcare, Kaiser Permanente will expand its employment in the city when construction of its new 136,000-square-foot office complex is completed in 2014. The location will feature both offices as well as a number of specialized care facilities. The complex will be Kaiser Permanente’s first Net-Zero facility.
The new City of Hope facility, currently under construction on Antelope Valley Hospital grounds, will house more than 56,000 square feet of patient-care, office, and educational facilities. The project is expected to provide work to 175 construction workers while being built, as well as 30 staff members once completed later this year.
According to the city, the intensity of interest in the Antelope Valley as the best outlet for pent-up commercial and industrial demand in Southern California continues to increase. Consequently, additional opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors continue to open up.
For instance, the Marriott TownPlace Suites Hotel and the accompanying complex of shops and restaurants are expected to generate more than 80 construction jobs and 280 permanent positions. The complex is under construction, with plans to open in 2014.
To learn more about current job availabilities, residents are encouraged to attend the third annual Job Services Network Job Fair, being held at the Lancaster National Soccer Center on Sept. 26. For more information, visit: http://www.cityoflancasterca.org/2013jobfair.
