Issuu

Contact: Perry Smith Business Editor Phone: 661-287-5599

S A N TA C L A R I TA VA L L E Y

BUSINESS JOURNAL BJ INSIDE SPOTLIGHTS B4 A message from the SCV Chamber B5 SCV Chamber advocacy B5 SCV Chamber spotlight B8 VIA discusses ‘building bridges’ B9 The List: Biotech in the SCV NEWS & FEATURES B1 Budget impacts B2 COC Makerspace donation B2 Uncertainty continues B3 Realtors adjust SCV BUSINESS VOICES B1 SCV Voices: Poole, Shaffery & Koegleh B3 SCV Voices: SCV Economic Development Corp. B6 SCV Voices: Audiology Associates B7 SCV Voices: SunPower by Green Convergence B10 SCV Voices: Henry Mayo B10 SCV Voices: Mission Valley Bank FROM THE EXPERTS B2 Ken Keller: Better days ahead

B6 Paul Butler: A few thoughts

about ‘fringe benefits’

B7From the Assessor: 2020

property tax assessments

B9 SCV Econowatch

Email: psmith@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place Suite 100 Santa Clarita, CA 91350 SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · WWW.SIGNALSCV.COM · B1

CITY, BUSINESSES BRACE FOR BUDGET HIT BY EMILY ALVARENGAA Signal Staff Writer

s numerous businesses remain closed as a result of the “Safer at Home” directive for the coronavirus pandemic, SCV officials project the city’s revenue funds will suffer the consequences. “Currently, we estimate a loss of revenue reaching in the double digits of percentage drop, and that is without a doubt going to impact our city,” Mayor Cameron Smyth said during a live stream update Wednesday. This drop is expected to come primarily from sales tax revenue, where Smyth said Santa Clarita could see a loss of at least 10%, or $3.7 million, based on the sales tax revenue that was projected at a flat $37 million during the first look into the 2020-21 fiscal year budget back in February. In addition, the city expects to see a “significant decrease” in its transient occupancy tax revenue, which comes from taxes charged to transient guests in hotels and services, with another double-digit drop in revenue, meaning at least 10% — which would equate to about $330,000, based on projections. Even so, when city officials met in February to discuss the new budget, City Manager Ken Striplin said that Santa Clarita is “very well-positioned” to remain a strong economy should another recession occur in the coming years, as the city continues to follow a conservative budget philosophy: “The decisions made in good times are more important than the decisions made during bad times.” “Early conservative budget practices, coupled with our healthy 20% operating reserve and AAA credit rating, are prime examples of how our organization is very well-positioned for correction in the economy should that occur,” Striplin added. “The conservative budget process and practices that we employee here in

While businesses like The Old Town Junction restaurant in Newhall is finding new ways to operate online, the hit that most restaurants, hotels and retail locations are facing is also expected to create new challenges for city of Santa Clarita officials. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL Santa Clarita … has positioned the city to thrive for years to come.” While talks of pandemic were almost certainly not on their minds, this 20% emergency operating reserve, which totaled $17.6 million for the current budget, has put Santa Clarita in a position to absorb the impact of this economic downturn, officials agree. “We’re probably in a lot better shape than other cities in that we never spend more than we take,” Councilwoman Marsha McLean said. In addition, Santa Clarita is expected to receive $885,759 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act, which Smyth said will be used to fill the gaps from the decline of revenue. Although it may cushion the blow, officials agree that the city expects to see a significant impact to its budget, which is set to be completely redone in a

“hold-the-line” form before it is adopted by the end of June, Smyth added. With this, the city does not expect to expand programs or projects, though key projects, such as the new sheriff’s station and Canyon Country Community Center, will not be impacted as they have already been funded, nor are a decline in services expected, according to Smyth. “Certainly if the state or county chooses to extend the current orders, we will see a greater impact, and we know that even as Santa Clarita and other areas continue to slowly open, it’s not going to be an automatic return to normal … and revenues will not climb back to normal right away,” Smyth added. “So, while there will be additional revenue coming in, it will be decreased, but hopefully that will soften the impact.” While the city expects to release See IMPACT, page B2

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

ANOTHER BITE AT THE ‘APPLE:’ DISCUSSING COMPENSABLE TIME BRIAN E. KOEGLE Partner, Poole Shaffery & Koegle

ver the last several years, California courts have issued several rulings dealing with “compensable time” — specifically, when an employer is required to pay its employees for “hours worked.” The latest clarification comes from the highest court in the state in a ruling that surprised many with its broad reach and expansion of what is deemed to be “compensable time worked.” In Frlekin v. Apple Inc., the California Supreme Court departed from the long-standing rule under federal law that an employee’s time spent waiting for bag checks or screenings was NOT compensable under the Fair Labor Standards Act (Integrity Staffing Solutions Inc. v. Busk). In the Integrity decision, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that security screenings weren’t a part of employees’ “principal activities,” and thus that time spent in screenings was NOT compensable. However, in distinguishing the (2014) Integrity decision, the California high court cited to the hours worked provision of the California Wage Orders, and held that: “The level of the employer’s control over its employees, rather than the mere fact that the employer requires the employees’ activity, is determinative concerning whether an activity is compensable.” According to the California court, compensable “hours worked” include “the time during which an employee is subject to the control of an employer and includes all the time the employee is suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so.” Of further concern, the Supreme Court rejected Apple’s request for this decision to only apply looking forward. Rather, the court determined that Apple misapplied existing California law (the Wage Orders), and, as a result, Apple could not claim “reasonable reliance” on the existing federal law. Consequently, Apple will be held responsible for the claims of unpaid minimum and overtime wages, will be required to pay penalties for the previous underpayments and will be required to pay the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees. The Supreme Court’s decision in Frlekin stands as a warning that every business in California should be working with competent legal counsel, trained to understand the nuances of California wage and hour laws, before implementing any policies or procedures. Brian Koegle is a partner in the employment and labor law department of Poole & Shaffery, LLP. He leads the transactional and litigation teams for the labor and employment division of the business law firm. For more information on Poole Shaffery & Koegle, call (855) 997-7522, or visit pooleshaffery.com.

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B2 · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · THE SIGNAL

THERE WILL BE BETTER DAYS AHEAD KEN KELLER

SCVBJ Contributor

eople in business abhor uncertainty. The wild swings in the stock markets signal that there is a lack of clarity about what this country, and the rest of the world are going through; how long it will take to get back to normal, and what will be the new normal. As the CEO, you need to have some degree of confidence about the marketplace and the ability of your company to deliver on promises made. Your employees want to know that they will have a stable job and a steady paycheck to provide for their loved ones. Your clients want assurance that what they are buying will be delivered on time, as ordered and agreed to. Your suppliers and partners need to know that there is an acceptable level of stability in your business. For the last eight-plus weeks, few have any of the reassurances that they need. So, as the flight crew says, more often than we like to hear it: “Pull your seat belts tight because it will be a bumpy ride.” I know from first-hand experience how uncomfortable flying through bumpy air can be, and I am no fan of it. (Some people actually enjoy rough rides on a plane, go figure.) Because I bet my life on the fact that the plane I am on will land, safely, and once on the ground, I will continue on with my life. So, as I death grip the arm rests and practice my breathing techniques to keep my anxiety down in between the silent prayers I am saying to God for a

“

In our toughest times in this country (such as the Great Depression; Pearl Harbor, WWII; 9/11, the Great Recession), we’ve always been able to believe in and see better days ahead. And so we will in time with the passing of COVID-19.”

smoother flight, I visualize what I will do when I land; who will I be with, what will we be doing, what kind of fun things do I have to look forward to. And that is the advice I want to share with you. In our toughest times in this country (such as the Great Depression; Pearl Harbor, WWII; 9/11, the Great Recession), we’ve always been able to believe in and see better days ahead. And so we will in time with the passing of Covid-19. In the meantime, while we’re dealing with all the never before in our lifetime

How a company weathers the challenges right now not only gives a great indication of its leadership, but will likely define its future. Adviser and columnist Ken Keller reminds us it’s more important than ever to use our time wisely. MC regulations about staying at home, staying away from others; wearing facemasks; wiping every surface down with disinfecting wipes and hoping and praying that no one else gets this virus, it is the right time to start thinking ahead to the day when the green light gets turned on and you can be back in business. I want you to use this time to think about, consider, the future of your company. What will you continue doing? What will you cease (stop) doing? What will you commence (start) doing? If things opened up (however that is defined) on May 15, or on June 1, or on June 15, or July 1, are you going to be reactive or proactive? Because, just like you should have both a Business Continuity Plan and a Disaster Recovery Plan, you must have

a Green Light or GO Plan to get you in business. As the CEO, you need to use this opportunity, this slow down, to shape your company for the future and the growth it can enjoy. Use this time wisely. It is a gift not often given to leaders. Ken Keller is an executive coach who works with small and midsize B2B company owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs. He facilitates formal top executive peer groups for business expansion, including revenue growth, improved internal efficiencies and greater profitability. Email:Ken.Keller@strategicadvisoryboards. com. Keller’s column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of the SCVBJ.

COC MAKERSPACE DONATES FACE SHIELDS BY TAMMY MURGA Signal Staff Writer

o help those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, College of the Canyons MakerSpace donated 150 face shields to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital on Tuesday, April 28. MakerSpace, which provides students with a multidisciplinary education that enables them to design and create manufactured works through engineering and technologies, used six of its 3D printing machines to develop the face coverings, which took just more than three hours each to produce, according to a COC news release. “An essential component of personal protective equipment for health care professionals treating COVID-19 cases, face shields have become scarce in light of high demand,” read the release, which

IMPACT

Continued from page B1 detailed loss projections with actual dollar figures in May, Smyth believes the numbers are going to continue to fluctuate as restrictions are lifted, which can be challenging when predicting a budget. “The challenge is what is accurate today may not be accurate a week from now because there’s still a discrepancy, and (the situation) is so fluid from day to day,” Smyth said. That being said, all agree that the longer this lasts, the more devastating it becomes. “I really believe that what’s happening right now is absolutely tremendous. It is fundamentally shifting the way society and activities work,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp. “We’re already seeing dramatic impacts in unemployment, (and) businesses that aren’t going to make it.” Councilman Bill Miranda agrees, adding, “All of a sudden, they’re going to have to be in business with one hand tied behind their back … It’s very tough to try and come back if you’re a small business

added that the materials to create the masks were funded through regional sources, such as the institution’s Center for Applied Technologies. “We are very grateful to College of the Canyons for these face shields. In today’s environment, it’s impossible to have too much PPE. Our entire staff, and especially our front-line health care workers, deeply appreciate COC’s resourcefulness and generosity,” Marlee Lauffer, president of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, said in a prepared statement. MakerSpace, which has facilities on both of the college’s campuses, opened in May 2016. The donation of PPEs follows several more donations sent to Henry Mayo from local businesses, nonprofit organizations and the city of Santa Clarita.

person in this environment.” A survey conducted by the SCVEDC and SCV Chamber of Commerce with 230 participating SCV businesses found that there’s significant lack of disaster relief funding for local businesses. Of the 83% that had applied for the Paycheck Protection loan, 33% received notice of approval and only 10% have received funds. Most were businesses under 25 employees, and almost one third were micro businesses under five employees, while 73% were asking for $50,000 or less. “Needless to say, it’s really taking its toll on the economy and will continue to do that for quite some time,” added Mark Schniepp, the SCVEDC’s economist, who also agreed that many businesses won’t come back. These businesses shuttering starts a “painful” chain of events, leading to more unemployment, while opening partially won’t allow for much rehiring either, Schniepp said. Likewise, businesses considered large gatherings, like Six Flags Magic Mountain, are only going to reopen months from now as laid out by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-stages for easing the stay-at-home orders, which then caused

College of the Canyon MakerSpace delivers 150 face shields to first responders at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Tuesday. PHOTO COURTESY HENRY MAYO NEWHALL HOSPITAL

City officials said while Santa Clarita was expecting a revenue hit from the effects of quarantine, the Santa Clarita 2020 projects the city has planned, such as the new sheriff’s station under construction, would not be affected. PHOTO BY EMILY ALVARENGAA / THE SIGNAL ancillary business to suffer, Schniepp added. “Because of the way in which they’re talking about restarting everything, that is what is going to be such a constraining factor on economic growth, recovery, and it will simply extend the pain and misery of this recession for quite some time,” he added. “The spacing and limitations are going to prevent a lot of restaurants from even trying to open because

their costs are gonna be too great … then you lose all of that sales tax (revenue).” Santa Clarita relies on sales tax to support local businesses, McLean said, adding, “and that is something that we’re going to (continue to) do in the best way that we can … (though) I will be looking for more help from the state and the county for our mom and pop businesses.” Councilwoman Laurene Weste agrees, adding, “I know we’re going to work really hard to do everything we can to help everybody get back on their feet … I’m hoping that little by little we can get things open where people can get back to work, which is really first and foremost on everyone’s mind, and figure out ways to be productive within the framework of keeping us safe.” Still, she remains proud of the SCV, who she said have done a remarkable job of supporting one another — a step that goes hand in hand with economic recovery. “We’re in a war and this enemy is invisible, but I think that the community is a great job at handling it well, and we will get through all of this together,” Weste added.

UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES TO BE BIGGEST CHALLENGE In just one week, more than 4.4 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits, according to data released by the U.S. Labor Department on April 23, a sign that the tidal wave of economic impact has continued to rise amid the coronavirus pandemic. That same week, the national unemployment rates jumped to 19.7%, while in California, it soared to 22.3% as an additional 554,000 claims for unemployment insurance were filed by COVID19-impacted workers, according to data collected by Schniepp and senior economist Ben Wright. These rates are the highest recorded for either the U.S. or California since the Great Depression, Schniepp said. In the first five months of 2020 alone, more than 30 million people have filed for unemployment benefits, surpassing the full-year totals for nearly every year in U.S. history. As businesses begin receiving CARES Act funding from the Paycheck Protection Program, Schniepp predicts the

levels of unemployment nationwide will drop, as workers will theoretically be “hired back” by their previous employers and paid their previous salaries. The $349 billion in funds distributed by the first round of PPP loans could fund the salaries of up to 39.4 million jobs nationwide, exceeding the 38.2 million layoffs that have been recorded to date, according to Schniepp. This is not the same in California, where PPP loans would only support 2.9 million or the estimated 4.9 million layoffs the state received in March and April, Schniepp added. Still, the overwhelming demand meant funding for small businesses quickly dried up, prompting a second wave of funding set to direct $310 billion more to the PPP, as well as an additional $60 billion to a separate small-business emergency grant and loan program. It is these businesses’ decisions in using the funds that are expected to dictate the state of the economy. Regardless, employers aren’t likely to

be hiring as many workers as they were before the health crisis, as consumer demand has plummeted, even with the stimulus checks, Schniepp added. That being said, The federal budget deficit is projected to be $3.7 trillion, as the federal debt reaches 101% of the gross domestic product by the end of the fiscal year, which is about 20 points higher than last year, according to a report issued by the Congressional Budget Office on April 24. The report also found that U.S. gross domestic product is expected to plunge by nearly 40% on an annualized basis in the second quarter, while an economic resurgence is forecasted in the second half of the year. Even so, uncertainty in the length of the shutdown means these projections could be “notably different” later this year, per the report. In addition, a number of states are set to begin easing stay-at-home restrictions in the coming weeks, merely two weeks after Newsom announced that California

is not ready to ease restrictions and labeled the state’s economy a “pandemicinduced recession.” “That would put California at a real disadvantage compared to the rest of the country if we were still ordered to remain shut down,” Schniepp said, adding that it’s the uncertainty of these constraints that make predictions so difficult. Consequently, Schniepp believes unemployment will continue to persist at horrific levels in California while declining throughout much of the rest of the nation, with many workers returning to work throughout the month of May in other states. “The longer they take to figure (how) to open up and what the limitations are going to be the much more pain and suffering that will ultimately be incurred during the economic recovery,” Schniepp said, “and it’s what is going to tell us how things are going to go during the recovery.”

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · B3

REALTORS ADJUST TO QUARANTINE MARKETPLACE

lmost every industry is affected by COVID-19, the resulting quarantine and the new regulations and restrictions that have been placed on our everyday lives. The real estate industry is no exception. The March data, which is the most recent available, actually hasn’t reflected the true impacts of the market restrictions that actually started to take effect midway through March, according to industry experts. “March closed escrows reflected sales activity that occurred mainly in January and February with closed escrows most likely not severely impacted by the midmonth order that shut down all nonessential businesses and implemented social distancing rules,” said Nancy Troxell Carnahan, president of the 10,600-member Southland Regional Association of Realtors. “The heaviest impact on residential real estate of the stay-at-home order will be reflected in statistics reporting April and subsequent months.” In fact, the industry insiders expect to see the beginning of these impacts become steep in the coming months. “We’ll see steep drop-offs in sales totals in the coming months as the region fights to contain the pandemic,” said Tim Johnson, the association’s CEO. “Realtors are adapting to virtual sales activity and implementing safe practices and social distancing, as they work with the buyers and sellers who still want to proceed with a real estate transaction.” Every office is instituting its own restrictions to keep buyers, sellers, agents, stagers and more safe, following the state’s stay-at-home order. And while the entire industry is feeling effects to some degree, one thing SCV Realtors agreed on is that while there might be some impacts, the area is fairly well-positioned to weather the storm and, barring any dramatic worsening of the pandemic, should bounce back quickly — even as far as soon as the end of summer. THE SLOW-DOWN While the SCV is expected to recover due to factors like its supply, desirability and the overall value, the restrictions couldn’t come at a worse time, because the market tends to see a lot of sales from the end of spring through the summer. Craig Martin, a Realtor for Realty ONE Group in Santa Clarita, said his agency usually sells about half of its homes in May through July, which is common to most Realtors as most people move during the summer — due to summer break, among other reasons. “A lot of the inventory would have stepped up this time of year — a lot of the problem is with COVID-19, people don’t want to show their homes,” Martin said. Those who are buying now are motivated purchasers, and there aren’t a lot of homes on the market — the SCV has 1.4-month supply, whereas a healthy market is typically seen as five- to nine-month supply — the SCV situation was a little atypical even before agents had to create a new normal. “We have sellers that need to sell and we have buyers that want to buy,” said Erika Kauzlarich-Bird, a former president of the SCV chapter of the SRAR and manager

While the SCV doesn’t have a large supply, there are still motivated buyers and sellers, according to Realtor Craig Martin. PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG MARTIN for a RE/MAX Grand brokerage office. “For some, the pandemic has not stopped them.” It has, however, changed how Realtors are working to accommodate buyers who have a countless number of questions but often in the past few weeks, less access to the homes they’re looking at buying in a number of ways. Agents are asking sellers to do things that aren’t typical, like having them give buyers a video walk-through of their homes and, in order to access potential homes, Realtors are often asking buyers to show they’re ready to give a serious offer — since open houses wouldn’t be allowed even if sellers were willing to have strangers walk through their homes, Bird said. She added in instances when the homes are shown in person, both buyer and seller have to also sign an acknowledgement of the risks involved. MOVING FORWARD The overall market doesn’t provide a crystal ball for when the recovery will begin, but local agents are pretty confident that it’ll happen sooner than later — if the restrictions begin to gradually ease as expected, during the summer. “Right now, you’re getting the house for pretty much what it’s priced,” Martin said. “People think, ‘Oh the markets are going to go down’ — I don’t believe that. You might get a little bit of a better deal ... ” he said, acknowledging that a motivated seller might be more willing to make a concession in these conditions. The coronavirus pandemic probably hit pending escrows — a measure of future activity — the hardest, according to an April statement by the SRAR. The association reported 444 open escrows at the end of March. That number represents a 34.2% drop from the March See REAL ESTATE, page B8

The March real estate data, the most recent numbers available, don’t yet reflect the true impacts of the COVID-19-related marketplace restrictions, according to the experts, but the April data should. COURTESY SRAR

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

THE FUTURE OF WORKPLACES IN A POST-COVID-19 WORLD HOLLY SCHROEDER President & CEO of SCVEDC

espite the fact that so much is still unknown, employers are already beginning to consider how their workplaces will look and operate after “stay at home” orders are lifted. And while the future is impossible to predict, we can already see changes in how people work, where they do work and how workplaces are configured that might give us some insight. Many who work in offices will find that their employers are more likely to allow continued remote work and/ or flexible schedules. According to Global Workplace Analytics, approximately 56% of the U.S. workforce has a job that is compatible with remote work, but before the COVID-19 pandemic only 3.6% of those workers worked from home at least part of the time. The organization now predicts that 25%-30% of those workers will be working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021. Employees have long been requesting to work from home, and now that many companies have been forced into providing infrastructure and digital tools to support remote work, and employees are proving that they can be trustworthy and productive from their home offices, employers are likely to reconsider the need for everyone to be in the office all of the time. Plus, as companies begin to envision a plan to return to the workplace, it’s likely that social distancing orders will remain in effect for some time, so having fewer workers in the office at any given time will be a necessity. When workers do eventually return to the office, Cushman & Wakefield has been at the forefront of researching new ways to work with their 6 Feet Office Initiative. The 6 Feet Office Initiative is a design-based strategy to encourage workers to keep their distance through both visual cues like rugs with 6 foot radius markers, and office configurations that ensure employees remain a safe distance apart. If there is a silver lining in this, it’s that moving forward businesses will be more agile and prepared in handling crises, workers will become more fluent in technology and safety practices and more employers will recognize the need to support employees’ mental and physical health. I am confident that we will see many industries emerging on the other side of this pandemic with more resilience, efficiency and innovation. If you’d like more information, contact the SCV EDC at (661) 288-4400 or scvedc@scvedc.org.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE HERE FOR YOUR COMPANY

FOR BUSINESSES scvedc.org/coronavirus

FOR EMPLOYERS & JOB SEEKERS LiveWorkSCV.com

2020 DIRECTORS

B4 · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · THE SIGNAL

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER On Monday, March 16, SCV Chamber businesses, along with others across Los Angeles County, were slowly being ordered to begin closing down or following an extensive amount of rules to be able to operate while the “Stay At Home” order ness community readily available resources and up-to-date

The SCV Chamber launched its COVID-19 Update & Business

CHAIR OF THE BOARD NANCY STARCZYK

Realty Executives

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HUNT BRALY

Poole, Shaffery & Koegle, LLP

MARISOL ESPINOZA

Southern California Gas Company

KEVIN HOLMES

Martini Akpovi Partners, LLP

TROY HOOPER

Kiwi Hospitality Partners

DR. CHRIS RAIGOSA

Kaiser Permanente

CHRIS SCHRAGE

LBW Insurance Financial Services

JOHN VANCE

Vance Wealth

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANDREA CARPENTER

Logix

STEVE COLE

SCV Water Agency

JASON CRAWFORD

City of Santa Clarita

JEFFREY FORREST

College of the Canyons

MONICA HARRISON

LA Film Locations

BRIAN HIGGINS

AAA Companies

PAM INGRAM

Re/Max of Valencia

ALEEN MANCHESTER

California Resources Corporation

PATRICK MOODY

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

BRIAN O’CONNOR

Princess Cruises

DAN REVETTO

AT&T

HENRY RODRIGUEZ

State Farm Insurance

SANDY SANCHEZ

FivePoint

LIZ SEELMAN

Southern California Edison

G. JESSE SMITH

California Institute of the Arts

DR. DIANNE VAN HOOK

College of the Canyons

DENNIS VERNER

Burrtec

KARINA WINKLER

Holiday Inn Express

had Stephanie English, Field Deputy for Supervisor Kathryn

take place about how everyone has been coping with the COVID-19 environment, resources that you can access based on your personal needs, as well as a chance for people to

special program on May 5, 2020 at 4pm to celebrate Cinco de

upcoming events and webinars can be found on the Cham-

As we look towards May 15, when the “Stay At Home” is pleased to be partnering with the SCV Economic Develop-

businesses on what they need to make a successful and include an economic webinar on what our next steps can be

During this crisis we have seen and experienced what makes

The Chamber and SCVEDC have partnered in the past and feel, now more than ever, it is important for the two leading ensure the business community is prepped to operate back

Your SCV Chamber Team

BUSINESS COUNCILS The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce has the following Business Councils:

Industry & Technology Small Business

NextSCV

councils and all its resources please email hello@

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · B5

ADVOCACY As the largest business membership organization in the santa clarita valley, the scv chamber of commerce is the voice of business. the chamber actively advocates on behalf of our business community on important local, regional and statewide issues that have direct impacts on our local businesses.”

SIGNIFICANT LACK OF DISASTER FUNDING FOR SCV BUSINESSES Earlier last week, the SCV Chamber, in partnership with the SCVEDC and COC, conducted a survey to assess whether SCV businesses were successful in get-

VIRTUAL CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE FORUM •

83% of respondents applied for PPP

Most of these were businesses under 25 employees, and almost one third were tuning in, the SCV Chamber thanks all who joined and both candidates for

amounts of money with 43% asking for $50,000 or less, and 30% asking for

LA COUNTY BEGINS FOCUS ON REOPENING AND RECOVERY how the County can relax and reopen as well as plan to develop a roadmap to ilies and businesses and the overall economic outlook as a result of the pan-

S afely Reo pening L os An geles Coun t y departments to provide a report within 7 days with details on measures needed

In April, the SCV Chamber’s Government Affairs Council met virtually to help form policy positions and directives that were approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors

the physical distancing and facecovering public health guidelines to reduce the

Los Angeles County Roadmap to Economic Recovery

OPPOSE INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ORDINANCE

DELAY LA COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Housing Ordinance, which will to make it more expensive to build new homes -

EXPAND THE BUY CALIFORNIA

SUPPORT CRITICAL WORKFORCE

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT SCHLICKART PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO CELEBRATES NEW STUDIO EXPANSION

cause of you, we have watched one of our wildest dreams come

NEWS

Learn about SchlickArt at schlickart.com.

B6 · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · THE SIGNAL

COVID-19 CRISIS IS TEACHING US A LOT ABOUT OUR BUSINESSES PAUL BUTLER Signal Contributing Writer

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” — Charles Dickens

cannot think of any quote that more accurately summarizes our present human global dilemma than the one cited above by Dickens. I particularly admire how Dickens contrasts so many extremes in this one short piece of prose — best and worst; wisdom and foolishness; belief and incredulity; light and darkness; spring and winter; hope and despair. I am sure we’ve all noticed the best and worst of human behavior during this crisis. At the grocery store, we’ve all been impacted by the panic buying of some. Our governmental leaders are having to remind us all that the selfish behaviors of some who still choose to ignore the health guidelines will put themselves and others at risk of contracting this virus. Transitioning into the world of work, I have noticed two types of response in two ways in the workplace under this COVID-19 attack. With the mandatory instruction to work from home for the majority of us I have observed how some seem to have risen to the challenge and some haven’t. Some workers are so self-motivated they could work from anywhere given the right tools. Conversely, I am seeing some workers are so unmotivated they’re using any excuse they can to not work at all regardless of where they are and what tools they’re given. God only knows how long this virus will invade our daily lives but I think it will be a time of reaping for employers as this becomes our new normal. How workers work during these challenging times ahead will give clear indicators to employers of who to keep and who to let go. It’s exhausting for employers to have

While your office place might be closed, some workers are so self-motivated they can work from anywhere, while others might struggle or use it as an excuse, Paul Butler writes. Regardless of your team’s situation, the current situation presents management challenges and opportunities.

“

There’s a calmness and clarity that

surrounds good leaders, which is in stark contrast to the frazzled frenetic behavior of ineffective ones. Effective leaders listen, think and adapt as necessary to ever-changing conditions.”

to constantly motivate the unmotivated. At the leadership level I am also noticing two types of response to this pandemic. If history has taught us anything, it clearly demonstrates that when turbulent economic waves hit us, effective leaders seem able to ride the waves while ineffective managers and supervisors drown in their own frantic busy-ness. There’s a calmness and clarity that surrounds good leaders, which is in stark contrast to the frazzled frenetic behavior of ineffective ones. Effective leaders listen, think and adapt as necessary

to ever-changing conditions, whereas ineffective ones are so worried about yesterday, they can’t think straight today and aren’t even considering tomorrow until yesterday’s over. What does this pragmatically look like? Just in the last couple of weeks I have been so impressed by some clients of ours in how they are adapting and communicating with their employees, whereas others, err … not so much. I have been mightily impressed by our local SCV Chamber of Commerce and their proactive and positive steps to assist, guide

and calm panic-stricken small businesses, whereas other local business associations seem like they’ve just slipped into silent hibernation with their fingers in their ears. We will come through this — I’m sure of it. One thing we can be sure of in the working world, just like life in general, is uncertainty: change is the only constant. As stock markets tumble and the horizon shifts, we each need to adapt; learn new skills; improve the way we think; choose our response to what happens around us at work and invest in new skills for the future. Just as I started with a quote, I’d like to wrap up this week’s article with an encouraging quote by Henry Ward-Beecher: “Fortunes are not made in the boom times. … that is merely the collection period. Fortunes are made in depressions or lean times when the wise man overhauls his mind, his methods, his resources, and gets in training for the race to come.” Paul Butler is a Santa Clarita resident and a client partner with Newleaf Training and Development of Valencia (newleaftd.com). The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Signal newspaper. For questions or comments, email Butler at paul. butler@newleaftd.com.

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

HOW HEARING AIDS CAN HELP PREVENT DEMENTIA DR. KEVIN BOLDER AuD, Audiology Associates

esearchers found that hearing loss affects how quickly and severely dementia progresses. Fortunately, correcting hearing loss with hearing aids can possibly prevent the effects of cognitive decline. Learn more about the role hearing aids have in maintaining optimal brain function. IMPROVED BRAIN FUNCTION In a study of first-time hearing aid users, hearing aids helped brain function

in multiple ways. Before they started wearing hearing aids, participants took behavioral and cognitive tests to measure their hearing, memory, and processing speed. After using hearing aids for six months, the group took the same tests and saw the following results: • Improved memory • Improved speech processing • Greater ease of listening REDUCED MENTAL STRAIN Straining to hear conversations is a common symptom of hearing loss. Continual stress on the brain to process sounds pulls resources away from other parts of the brain, reducing memory. If this strain continues, your brain could

stop being able to conduct these functions altogether, allowing dementia to set in. Wearing hearing aids makes it easier to listen and limits brain strain, enhancing memory and brain functioning. PREVENT SOCIAL ISOLATION When people cannot process the sounds around them, they tend to avoid social situations. This isolation is a leading cause of dementia because their cognitive functions are not being used and deteriorate quicker. Wearing hearing aids can help you participate in the conversation again. GET YOUR HEARING CHECKED Only a small percentage of people with

hearing loss wear hearing aids, but they’re an important tool that will improve your ability to hear and provide long-term benefits. If you believe you have hearing loss, schedule a hearing test and take the necessary steps towards improved cognitive function and better hearing. To schedule a hearing evaluation today, please call Audiology Associates at (661) 284-1900. Kevin Bolder, Au.D., Patrice Rifkind, Au.D., and John David, Au.D. are three of the best in Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley. Visit our website at www.AudiologyAssociates.net or stop by our office located at 23838 Valencia Blvd, Suite 100, Valencia. We are hearing health care excellence.

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · B7

CONSIDERING COVID-19 IN 2020 PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS BY JEFF PRANG Los Angeles County Assessor

’ve been thinking lately about the stress caused by COVID-19 and how we all deal with it. Needless to say, it’s been a traumatic experience for everybody, especially for those that have suffered firsthand with the virus. I want to extend my deepest condolences to anyone that has lost loved ones to the coronavirus. My thoughts and prayers are with you. In addition to the loss, we have the self-isolation, physical distancing and now the ubiquitous masks and gloves. Our daily lives have been turned upside down and may stay that way for quite some time. We will make it through this crisis — together. We will prevail. Absolutely. Back to the business at hand. There’s an issue that directly affects homeowners that could end up being a savings, and I want them to know about it. I’m going to try and provide some clarity on this situation that oftentimes gets confused because, simply, it can be confusing. I’m talking about when your property suffers a decline-in-value or DIV, as it’s more commonly known among us assessor-types. Let’s start at the beginning: For property tax purposes, the 2020 annual bill going out in October is based on the assessed value as of January 1, 2020, also known as the lien date. If the fair market value on the lien date turns out to be less than the original assessed value, a temporary decline-invalue may be in order. To determine if a property’s value has declined, comparable sales are reviewed 90 days from the lien date. It’s quite possible that the pandemic will cause the market value of homes to decrease and a decline-in-value assessed. If that holds true, the Assessor may enroll the lower fair-market value. Remember: This is not a permanent reduction; it is valid for one year, and will be reviewed again the next year. Eventually, the full Prop. 13 trended base-value will be restored. So, one question that begs an answer is when does a homeowner file for a review of such a value decrease? Prior to the pandemic, Southern California home

A decline-in-value for a 2020 property tax filing due to the crisis could prompt the assessor to enroll the lower fair-market value, a one-year exception that would be re-evaluated in 2021.

“

The most effective time for the

homeowner to file for the decline directly related to the coronavirus could turn out to be July 2, 2021.

sales experienced a 14% increase and a 6% increase in home prices, according to data released from DQNews for sales that closed in February. Which means the effects of the coronavirus might not be reflected on market values until after April. As such, it might not result in a decline-in-value for a 2020 filing. Filing for a 2020 decline-in-value begins July 2 and ends Nov. 30. However, the Assessor’s Office will proactively review market values and send out decline-in-value notices for properties experiencing such a decline.

The most effective time for the homeowner to file for the decline directly related to the coronavirus could turn out to be July 2, 2021. The Safer At Home order for Los Angeles County went into effect March 19, 2020, nearly three months after the lien date for that year. I know this sounds confusing because it is somewhat. But my office will be proactively monitoring the situation. As with most everything for the taxpayer, there is an appeal process if the homeowner disagrees with the DIV, but

that is for a later discussion. For now, please contact the Assessor’s Office for additional information on the decline-in-value process. We can be reached at (213) 974-3211 or at helpdesk@assessor.lacounty.gov. Or you can go directly to my website at assessor. lacounty.gov/decline-in-value for a complete explanation of the process, including a DIV printable brochure that can be downloaded. Hopefully, we will be able to visit in person someday soon after our public health officials ease restrictions. Until that day, please, stay heathy and safe. Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has been in office since 2014. Prang implemented sweeping reforms to ensure that the strictest ethical guidelines rooted in fairness, accuracy and integrity would be adhered to in his office, which is the largest office of its kind in the nation with 1,400 employees and provides the foundation for a property tax system that generates $17 billion annually.

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

THREE REASONS FOR BUSINESSES TO GO SOLAR BY MARC SALATA Director of Marketing, SunPower by Green Convergence

ommercial solar is a great investment for companies looking to lower overhead. Any low building with plenty of square footage can turn its roof into a power plant, generating electricity that can be used on site, or traded with the utility for credit. But in these uncertain times, many companies are reluctant to make new investments. They don’t know what’s around the corner for the economy or their customers – so they choose to wait until things settle down before going solar.

Here are three reasons why the smart plan is to go solar now. First, we know one thing around the corner — high electric bills. Electricity is not a new cost. It’s a constant charge that we can’t shut off when times are tough and it increases every year. That bill is coming anyway; solar can shrink it. Second, federal incentives for solar are dropping in December. The federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) gives 26% of the cost of solar back to the business as tax credit. But in January of 2021, the ITC dwindles to 22% and 10% the year after. Waiting can add thousands to the project. Financing a solar project helps to spread the costs out over time, but gives quick cash infusion as the ITC is

credited all at once on the front end of the financing. Third, current tax codes allow accelerated depreciation of solar installation. When businesses make investments, such as in machinery or vehicles, they can deduct some costs from their taxes as those assets lose value over time. Solar costs can be deducted over a much quicker timeframe. Aside from utility savings, most of the system pays for itself in tax savings from the ITC and depreciation. When combined with a new energy-efficient cool roof or battery storage, savings get even bigger. A tax professional can advise which tax advantages apply to a particular company. What about multi-story office

buildings? They may not have much roof space to accommodate solar, but they are stacked with energy draining office equipment. For those businesses, solar carports are a great option. Carports keep employees dry in the rain, cars cool in the summer sun, and electric bills low all year. It’s important to choose a solar company that can help guide you through the financial details, expertly install a rightsized and well-designed system, and stand by their work with a great warranty. Visit GreenConvergence.com for more information.

and Solar Solutions Grace Baptist Church

Medtronic, Inc.

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1/22/2020 11:28:27 AM

B8 · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · THE SIGNAL

REAL ESTATE

Continued from page B3

2019 data. And while interest rates are very low right now, there’s a great deal of uncertainty, which also never helps inspire buyer confidence. “Obviously with this pandemic, it’s roughed (the market) up a little bit and we don’t know where we’re going. We don’t know how bad it’s going to get,” Martin said, then added, “but It look like we’re kind of there right now.” While there might be money available for qualified buyers, another complication has been the furloughs and changes in employment status that for some can change the nature of their position from week to week — even for cases like film

industry positions and other positions highly likely to resume once the quarantine ends. Banks check on that status regularly, and although Martin said he’s sold seven homes in the last two weeks, he’s also seen multiple deals have to be changed or scrapped altogether after the financing fell apart due to temporary employment changes. “Buyers are getting everything all in place. Once the orders are lessened and less restricted and buyers have a confidence in terms of safety and getting out there and that their jobs are still secure, then those buyers are going to need to buy something,” Martin said. “Those multiple offers aren’t going away, there’s just a level of uncertainty.”

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A D V O C A T E . E D U C A T E . I N N O VA T E . Dear SCV Busines s, All of us at the Vall ey Industry Associa at Home” time. We tion are checkin g in to see how you want to persona lly reach out and are doing during say THANK YOU let you know that this “Safer . VIA is thinking about you and Have you conside red the incredible power of THANK humility, underst YOU? Those two anding, as well as words express grat acknowledgeme power in recent nt. These two wor itude, days. ds have taken on so much more In January of this year, VIA’s plan and direction was in dedicated to that “Building Bridges. . ” We are still firm ly A bridge is a bea utiful and very stro ng metaphor. A two disconnecte bridge always link d elements. A brid s two ends, two opp ge helps to overcom rivers. A bridge osed sides, establishes new rela e obstacles such as deep gorges and tionships and has However, a bridge threatening the power to pro is sometimes a scar foundly change situ y construction: Tru especially when ations. it is high and frag st is needed to step ile. But a missing development. We on it and cross over or destroyed brid will build bridges. — ge is definitely an obstacle to VIA is here for you . We are prepared to help businesses to help in any way remain as successf we can. We will continue to work ul as possible and help you cross this to be of service to are ready bridge. By working our members and our businesses and together, we can are here to persevere and ensu daily lives. re the eventual retu rn to If there is anythin g you need from us, please don’t hesi different, we are tate to ask. Althoug all in this together . h each of our stru ggles are Please stay safe and healthy – we look forward to seeing you in person whe n this is over. All the best,

Hillary Broadwater Chairwoman of the Board Valley Industry Ass ociation

Kathy Norris CEO/President Valley Industry Ass ociation

VIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Hillary Broadwater Chairwoman of the Board QM Design Group Teresa Todd Immediate Past Chairwoman Point of View Communications Tim Burkhart Vice Chair, Programs Six Flags Magic Mountainw

Ed Materson Vice Chair, Workforce Development SOS Entertainment

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nola Aronson Advanced Audiology

Michael P. Garrison CPA Treasurer KKAJ, LLP

J.C. Burnett Courier-Messenger, Inc.

Kim Thomson Corporate Secretary SCV Relocation Services

Sue Tweddell Vice Chair, Education Primerica Financial

Jeff Meyer Director at Large Thrivent Financial

Jason Gibbs Vice Chair, Advocacy GP Strategies Corporation

CEO/PRESIDENT Kathy Norris, Valley Industry Association

Monica Fawcett City of Santa Clarita Neil Fitzgerald Princess Cruises David Cantrell American Family Funding Patti Handy Vance Wealth Laura Kirchhoff Circle Of Hope

Mike Kuhlman William S. Hart UHSD Kim Kurowski A-1 Party Kathie Martin SCV Water Agency Myles McNamara Comfort Keepers In-Home Care Steve Nunez Mission Valley Bank Ted Sirotta Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Omar Torres College of the Canyons Mark Young Donahoe & Young

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · B9

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SANTA CLARITA VALLEY

26455 Rockwell Canyon Road | UCEN 263 | Santa Clarita, CA 91355 | (661) 288-4400 | www.scvedc.org

COVID-19 RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR COMPANY GET THROUGH IT BY HOLLY SCHROEDER President/CEO of SCV Economic Development Corp.

FINANCING Using funds appropriated under the CARES Act, the Treasury will make a $75 billion equity investment in a special purpose vehicle established to implement the Main Street Business Lending Program. This investment will enable up to $600 billion in new financing for businesses with up to 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in 2019 annual revenues.

he COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to SCV companies. From forced closures of “non-essential businesses” to ever-changing rules for operating those businesses that are considered essential, it’s imperative that companies stay on top of the rapidly changing information. The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) is committed to providing you with information and resources to help your company navigate the coronavirus crisis. We have created an information page to help you stay current on city, county and state orders, as well as provide you with links to resources that will help your company recover. Visit scvedc.org/coronavirus for more information. Updates are being made to this page daily. Here are just a few resources featured on the page to help you or your company during this challenging time:

COURTESY GRAPHIC

PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE As part of the federal CARES Act, the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history and others not

usually eligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. Applications opened April 28. TREASURY ANNOUNCES NEW LENDING PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE UP TO $2.3T IN

ONWARD CALIFORNIA OnwardCA is an initiative of companies, foundations, and humans to get California workers displaced by COVID-19 essential life services and back to work as quickly as possible. In addition to the coronavirus resource page, SCVEDC is offering upcoming webinars and is continuing business assistance outreach via phone consultations. Our team is here to help. Contact the office at (661) 288-4400 or send us an email at scvedc@scvedc.org. Visit www. scvedc.org/coronavirus for more information about the coronavirus in SCV.

Econo Watch Santa Clarita Valley

Q4 ’19

Q3 ’19

Q4 2019 Sq Ft

Commercial Vacancy Rates Office Space

11.82%

11.54%

2,782,785

Industrial Space

3.40%

4.20%

2,485,565

Total Marked Sq. Ft. Vacancy Percentage:

Mar ‘20

Bank of Santa Clarita (BSCA) California Resources Corp (CRC) Carnival Corp. (CCL) FivePoint (FPH) Mission Valley Bank (MVLY) Six Flags * (SIX) Woodward (WWD)

Office Space - as a % of Vacancy

52.82%

52.57%

Industrial Space - as a % of Vacancy

47.18%

47.43%

N/A N/A

Mar ‘20

Feb ‘20

Mar ’19

New Commercial/Industrial Building Permits

Commercial Tenent Improvements/Alterations

Mar ‘20

Santa Clarita Palmdale Lancaster Glendale Los Angeles County State

Mar ‘20

SCV Median Home Value SCV Median Condo Value SCV Home Sales SCV Condo Sales SCV Avg. # of Days on Market (SF) SCV Single Family Home Inventory

668,800 413,000 184 80 43 197

% Change

12.41 6.35 33.06 6.96 14.3 25.28 103.20

-40.37% -84.25% -60.16% -27.16% -31.12% -50.40% -42.64%

Feb ‘20

6.0% 9.1% 9.2% 5.9% 6.4% 5.3%

Housing Stats

THE LIST: L ARGEST B IOSCIENCE C OMPANIES R ANKED

Feb ‘20

7.4 1 13.17 5.07 9.85 12.54 59.2

Unemployment Rates

5,268,350

Building Permits

Local Company Stock Prices

% Change

4.3% 6.6% 6.7% 4.2% 4.3% 3.9%

Jan 1 ‘20*

39.53% 37.88% 37.31% 40.48% 48.84% 35.90%

Mar ‘19

689,900 614,000 397,200 375,000 118 168 54 82 68 80 202 408 * SRAR data unavailable for 2/2020

E MPLOYEES

COMPANY

EMPLOYEES

CONTACT

TITLE

ADDRESS

Boston Scientific

900

Maulik Nanavaty

Principal

25155 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia, 91355

Quest Diagnostics

660

Cristen Farrell

Sr. Human Resources Business Partner

27027 Tourney Rd, Valencia, 91355

Advanced Bionics

581

Jim Robinson

28515 Westinghouse Place, Valencia, 91355

Q2 Solutions

405

Brian O'Dwyer

CEO

27027 Tourney Rd, Valencia , 91355

Pharmavite

371

Henry Burdick

President

28104 Witherspoon Pkwy, Valencia, 91355

Shield Healthcare

272

Jim Snell

President

27911 Franklin Parkway, Valencia, 91355

Cardinal Health

200

Marsha Aragon

Director of Operations

Stratasys Direct

195

Kent Firestone

CEO

28309 Ave Crocker, Valencia , 91355

Bioness

190

Todd Cushman

President

25103 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia, 91355

27680 Ave Mentry, Valencia, 91355

PDC - A Brady Business

170

Robert Case

President

27770 N. Entertainment Drive, Valencia , 91355

Classic Wire Cut Company

142

Brett Bannerman

President

28210 ConstellationRd, Valencia, 91355

Cicoil, LLC

Howard Lind

Managing Member

24960 Avenue Tibbits, Valencia, 91355

United Consortium

Harold Lehon

CEO

29000 Hancock Pkwy, Santa Clarita, 91355

Eckert Ziegler Isotope Prod

Frank Yeager

CEO

24937 Avenue Tibbitts, Valencia, 91355

KLM Laboratories

Scott Marshall

President

28280 Alta Vista Ave, Valencia, 91355

TriMed Inc

David Medoff

CEO

27533 Avenue Hopkins, Santa Clarita, 91355

Technical Manufacturing West

Brad Topper

General Manager

24820 Avenue Tibbitts, Valencia, 91355

Neotech Products

Craig McCrary

President

28430 Witherspoon Pkwy, Valencia, 91355

Implant Direct

Ginger Page

Director Technical Sales

26330 Diamond Pl #100, Santa Clarita, 91350

Avita Medical

Mike Perry

CEO

28159 Avenue Stanford, Valencia, 91355

Ultraviolet Devices

Richard Hayes

President

26145 Technology Dr, Valencia, 91355

AM-Touch

Harry Khetarpal

CEO

28703 Industry Drive, Valencia, 91355

Talladium Inc.

Edward Harms

President

27360 Muirfield Ln, Valencia, 91355

Alfred Mann Foundation

John Petrovich

CEO

25134 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia, 91355

SetPoint Medical

Murthy Simhambhatla

President & CEO

27441 Tourney Rd., Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355

Telic

Matthew Kennedy

Director of Operations

24832 Avenue Rockefeller, Valencia, 91355

UTAK Laboratories

James Plutchak

COO

25020 Avenue Tibbits, Valencia, 91355

Valencia Technologies

Jeff Greiner

CEO

28464-28466 Westinghouse Pl, Valencia, 91355

Hayden Medical

Scott Clelland

President

26752 Oak Avenue, Santa Clarita, 91351

Western Scientific Company

Jeff Jenson

President

25061 Ave Stanford Suite 110, Valencia, 91355

ROCS

Shanley Curran

President/CEO

27240 Turnberry Lane, Suite #200, Valencia, 91355

Elytone Medical Electronics

Robert Holmes

Division Director

27201 Tourney Road, Suite # 225, Valencia, 91355

Percusense

Brian Kannard

CEO

25134 Rye Canyon Loop #370, Valencia, 91355 CREDIT: SANTA CLARITA VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. * EMPLOYEE COUNTS MAY NOT BE CURRENT

B10 · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 · THE SIGNAL

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

HENRY MAYO’S RESPONSE TO COVID19 PATRICK MOODY Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

ollowing the COVID-19 outbreak, our community’s response has been overwhelming and inspiring. Local government agencies, businesses, volunteer organizations and people from all walks of life inquired about how they could help our efforts. We are deeply grateful to our community partners and donors for their generosity during this difficult time. From hand-sewn face masks and other kinds of Personal Protection Equipment, or PPE, to meal donations and financial gifts, members of our community have found ways large and small to help Henry Mayo. Those who are looking for additional ways to partner with us can call (661) 200-1200, or visit henrymayo.com/ support-henry-mayo/giving-opportunities/. We recognize that keeping our community informed on best health practices is important. We encourage members of our community to check our website (henrymayo.com) and social channels regularly for COVID-19 updates. Also, we are providing weekly question-and-answer sessions via Facebook Live on our Facebook page for the foreseeable future, and we encourage viewers to tune in. These sessions feature our Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Larry Kidd, along with an expert guest (usually a physician). We know that this is a very trying time for our community. Looking forward, our lives will undoubtedly be different as we all adjust to a new “normal.” We’d like to ensure our community that we are committed to meeting these challenges head-on as we continue to provide top-notch care to our patients and their families. Should you have any emergency healthcare needs, please do not hesitate to visit our Emergency Department. That department has taken great pains to ensure every patient we treat is safe. We strongly encourage you to not postpone care should you need it. Should you have any questions regarding Henry Mayo’s COVID-19 policies or procedures, please submit inquiries to covid19@henrymayo.com. Our mission to improve the health of our community through compassion and excellence in healthcare services, a mission we have focused on for nearly 45 years. WE CARE, and we look forward to serving our community for the next 45 years. Patrick Moody is the director of marketing and public relations at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. For more information about local community health programs, visit HenryMayo.com.

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

TALK TO YOUR BANKER — TODAY TAMARA GURNEY President/CEO Mission Valley Bank

s a community-based business bank, Mission Valley is committed to supporting clients, staff and community. Now on the financial frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank is focused on helping clients through the economic challenges of the situation. With the recent passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, emergency financing options have broadened to include the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). These two programs can dramatically help businesses manage day-to-day expenses through the worst of the crisis. ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS (EIDL) As explained on the Small Business Administration website, “In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing … this loan advance will not have to be repaid.” Small business owners interested in the EIDL program apply directly at SBA.gov. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) Created to provide a way for small businesses to keep their employees on the payroll, the Paycheck Protection Program is for any small business with less than 500 employees affected by the pandemic, including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons, and qualifying private non-profit organizations. The SBA has stated that loan amounts will be forgiven as long as the loan proceeds are used to cover approved expenses — payroll costs, most mortgage interest, rent and utility costs - over the eight-week period after the loan is made. Other restrictions may apply. Funds not forgiven will be termed out over the two-year loan at an interest rate of 1% (as of April 13). The program will be available through June 30. Unlike the EIDL program, borrowers apply for PPP loans through an existing SBA 7(a) lender or other participating federally insured depository institution. If you are interested in securing a PPP Loan, the best advice is to contact your current bank for assistance. Mission Valley Bank is a locally owned, full-service community business bank headquartered in Sun Valley, California with a branch office/business banking center in Santa Clarita. Tamara Gurney is past president of the California Independent Bankers, and can be reached at (818) 394-2300. www.MissionValley Bank.com.