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554 West Lancaster Boulevard Lancaster, CA 93534 (661) 948-4518
Serving the community by Promoting, Protecting, Encouraging and Developing Business since 1902

Business Connection

 

March  2017

In this Month's Issue

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

 Executive Committee

                    
Chairwoman of the Board
Gina Rossall, Westside Union School District
 
Chair-Elect
Monica Grado, George's Cleaners

Past Chairman of the Board
Josh Mann, Waste Management

Vice-Chair
Luis Garibay, City of Lancaster

Vice-Chair
Katy Nelson, Hunter Dodge

Treasurer
Austin Rice, Alden & Associates, LLP

Secretary
Terry Roth, JAG Insurance Agency, Inc. 

Ex-Officio 
Mark Hemstreet - Chief Executive Officer, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce   
  
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Theresa Dawson, Lancaster Sheriff's Station

Charles Hoey, Charles Hoey & Associates

Chris Spicher, Antelope Valley Florist

Gene Melchers, Melchers Construction

Elizabeth Diachun, AV College

Shandra Goben, TownePlace Suites

Bernie Longjohn, Learn 4 Life

Barry White, Carpeteria

Heather Massari, VINSA Insurance

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

 Office Staff 

Mark Hemstreet, Chief Executive Officer
Sharon Molnar, Office Coordinator
Anna Zarley, Event Coordinator
What can the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce do to help grow YOUR business???

What is Your Chamber?

 

Since 1902, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce has existed as a private, voluntary, nonprofit (501(C)(3) and (C)(6) business organization dedicated to improving the economic environment of business growth and prosperity. The business community now serves a greater Antelope Valley Region, with a population of more than 480,000 people


 

As the Antelope Valley continues to develop and thrive, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce continues to evolve to meet the needs of its members and our growing community. The Lancaster Chamber offers a variety of benefits to help businesses, large and small, to network and grow. 

 

Membership Benefits 

  • Personal Page on Chamber Website
  • Chamber Mobile App
  • Monthly E-Newsletter
  • Community Calendar
  • Membership Directory Listing
  • Membership City Map Listing
  • Radio Talk Show - Free
  • Chamber Classes / E-Learning Portal
  • Conference room for Members
  • Quarterly Mega Mixers
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Endless Networking Opportunites
  • Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings
Monthly Events  
  • Membership Luncheon
  • Business-4-Breakfast

Discount Advertisement 

  • AV Press - Chamber Page
  • Video Commercials
  • Web Video - Business Showcase

Please call the Chamber for more information: (661) 948-4518 

New and Renewing Members

February 

  Introducing Our Newest Members!

412th Force Support Squadron
Kayla Fagan
5 N Sellar Avenue, Bldg 300
Edwards AFB, CA 93524
(661) 275-3826

@theOffice
Ryan Viall
626 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 622-4000

Anna's Bridal & Quinceanera
Anna Fajardo
44221 20th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 674-9953

AV Solar Ranch 1
Stanley Teehee
49881 170th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 336-0294

Cricket Wireless
Sean Hamberlin
4085 West Avenue L
Quartz Hill, CA 93536
(661) 802-7565

Cricket Wireless-Coming Soon!
Sean Hamberlin
2021 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-8600

Goodwill Southern California
Joel Morgan
342 N San Fernando Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 539-2086

Graphic Experience
Dawn and Jim Smith
624 West Lancaster Blvd 
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-1718

Local Door Coupons
Chris McKeehan
(661) 303-3726

Massage Envy-Coming Soon
Charles and Ann Williams
1050 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93534

One Step Ahead Detective Agency 
Anthony Pooler
1033 West Avenue J, Ste E
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 802-4372

We Are Pleased to Present Our Renewing Members

Lamar Advertising Company
104 Enterprise Parkway
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-0721
Member Since: 1953

Richard Spann 
Member Since: 1975

America's United Bank
539 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-6955
Member Since: 1993

Coldwell Banker 
Commercial Valley Realty
42402 10th Street West, Ste E
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-2644
Member Since: 1993

Mental Health America
506 West Jackman Street
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 726-2850
Member Since: 1993

Antelope Valley Plumbing, Inc
4654-B East Avenue S, PMB # 226
Palmdale, CA 93552
(661) 661-533-1234
Member Since: 1994

Antelope Valley Union 
High School District
44811 Sierra Highway
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-7655
Member Since: 1994

Earth Systems Southern California
1024 West Avenue M-4
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 948-7538
Member Since: 1994

Fletchers Fire Protection
3318 West Avenue L-4
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 943-0643
Member Since: 1994

Lancaster Marketplace
44950 Valley Central Way, Ste 1-105
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 942-7897
Member Since: 1994

Michael P Giovannini, DDS
1051 West Avenue M-14, Ste C
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 265-8884
Member Since: 1994

Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Club
PO Box 10047
Lancaster, CA 93584
(661) 267-2582
Member Since: 1995

Koso/Pacific Seismic Products, Inc
233 East Avenue H-8
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 942-4499
Member Since: 1997

Western Pacific Roofing Corp
2229 East Avenue Q 
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 273-1336
Member Since: 1998

Aurora Village
43862 15th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-1921
Member Since: 2001

Arrow Enterprises, Inc
44932 Yucca Avenue 
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-7648
Member Since: 2002

Office Depot Business Services Division
100 North First Street, Ste 200
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 557-1700
Member Since: 2002

Royal Family Kids
44514 20th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-5677
Member Since: 2003

Adelman Broadcasting
104.9, 100.9, 103.9, 877.7
42010 50th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 718-1552
Member Since: 2004

Partcraft, Inc
414 East Avenue K-4
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 945-8731
Member Since: 2004

Brit O Smith, MD
44847 10th Street West, Ste B
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-4523
Member Since: 2006

J.P Eliopulos Hellenic Center
43404 30th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 948-1413
Member Since: 2007

Laurel Crest Apartments
531 West Jackman
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-3422
Member Since: 2007

Santa Clarita School
 of Performing Arts 
23502 Lyons Avenue, Ste 105
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
(661) 222-7910
Member Since: 2009 

Budget Self Storage
42722 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-2098
Member Since: 2013

Camacho Auto Sales
44446 Sierra Highway
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-2609
Member Since: 2013

Chuck Simons & Associates
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 350-1006
Member Since: 2013

Advanced Spine Institute
42051 10th Street West, Ste 109
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 264-2100
Member Since: 2015

MomsHouse 
PO Box 805
Lancaster, CA 93584
(661) 529-2985
Member Since: 2015

Camacho Mitsubishi
401 Auto Vista Drive
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 945-2600
Member Since: 2015

Linda Volkmar Ministries
House of Peace
Member Since: 2015

Robert Munden Insurance
190 Sierra Court, Ste A-8
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 575-9656
Member Since: 2015

Transformations
Linda Poirier
Member Since: 2015

Interested in Becoming an Ambassador?  
   

Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to represent the Lancaster
Chamber at many events, including breakfasts, luncheons, mixers, ribbon cuttings/grand openings and more!  Through this involvement, ambassadors are able to represent the chamber while also representing and marketing their own businesses--it's truly a "win/win" relationship!
 

 If you or someone at your place of business is interested in
 participating in our comprehensive training series and ultimately
 becoming an amba ssador, please contact the Chamber: 
(661) 948 -451 8

 

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
 Upcoming Events
March 2017

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Luncheon
03/08/2017
11:30 am- 1:00 pm
JP Eliopulos Hellenic Center
43404 30th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Finance and Executive Committee Meeting
03/14/2017
7:30 am - 9:00 am
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Ribbon Cutting / Ground Breaking 
Paloma Lane West
03/14/2017
11:30 am
60th Street West, North of Avenue L-8
Quartz Hill, CA 93536

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Board of Director's Meeting
03/15/2017
7:30-9:00 am
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
554 West Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Ambassador Corp Meeting
03/22/2017
12 Noon
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Business-4-Breakfast  
03/23/2017
7:00 am- 8:30 am
A.M. Cafe
44205 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Ribbon Cutting
Children's Way Foster Family Agency
03/24/2017
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
38345 30th Street East, Suite D-2
Palmdale, CA 93550

Ribbon Cutting / New Ownership
AAMCO Transmissions
03/25/2017
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
44135 Division Street
Lancaster, CA 93535

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Committee Meeting
03/27/2017
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

For Job Seekers:

Use the resources below to connect with area resources that can help you with job placement.   Also, use the  Chamber's membership directory  to target specific industries.

For Employers:

Tell us about your job openings! 
Chamber members are encouraged to share their job postings with Chamber staff - email a job description to sharon@lancasterchamber.org

Internships:

The Chamber is always accepting resumes for interns. Projects may vary based on skill set. If you are seeking an internship for experience or college credit, contact us to see if we may be the right fit for you.  Email your resume to sharon@lancasterchamber.org.

Member Job Openings




 Contact  Liz Montano for more information.  661-492-4234

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ChamberSTORE

Helping Support Your Local Chamber is a

WIN-WIN!!

Take advantage of these special rates for chamber members!!

  

"A LA CARTE" OPPORTUNITIES:

  •  Digital Display Ad on Chamber Wall - $250 / year (2050x1400 dpi).
  • Static Display Framed Poster* on chamber/visitor's center wall - $1000 / year (24x20 inches -8  AVAILABLE) -includes a free digital display for one year.
  • Chamber newsletter ad (600x600 dpi, includes link to your website) - $75 each or $750 for one year.
  • Website home page banner ad (along top of page) - $2500 per year 
  • Website home page ad $500 / year (600x600 dpi - TWO AVAILABLE).

PACKAGES:

  •  Package 1 - $500 - Includes one digital display ad and four newsletter ads.           
  • Package 2 - $1000 -  Includes one digital display ad, four newsletter ads, and one website home page ad (TWO AVAILABLE).
  • Package 3 - $1000 - includes one  24"x20" framed Chamber Wall poster* (12 AVAILABLE) and one digital display ad.

           *price includes poster production costs.

 

ADDITIONAL MARKETING/ADVERTISING

OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Community Calendar member event posting.
  • Annual area map and directories with advertising opportunities.
  • Referrals - Hundreds of request directed to members "ONLY".
  • Mailing Labels and Membership Lists available to members "ONLY".
  • Chamber Radio Talk Show and Chamber YouTube Free to members "ONLY".
  • Your business listed in the printed and online Membership Directory (Link to your website or social media!).

Chamber Membership Lists

 

 Labels by Alpha: $50.00

Email Data: $50.00

Chairwoman's Message 



Greetings Members,
 
No doubt March is the luckiest month of the year!  With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner we have another reason to celebrate being part of the Lancaster Chamber.

I am hopeful that you will be in attendance at our upcoming membership luncheon on Wednesday, March 8th at the Hellenic Center.  As always this is an excellent time to network with other members, find some new business partners, and enjoy a great luncheon program.

Our Work Ethics Scholarship Program is up and running under the capable leadership of Kim Keane Perkins.  If you haven't made a donation to the program this year, please consider doing so soon as we will be awarding those scholarship in May.  Thanks to Kim and her committee for a job well done. 

Speaking of great programs of the Chamber, did you see the recent article about our YEA students and their meeting with a highly respected business panel?  What a great job our mentors, presenters and students have done this year, and special thanks to our Chairwoman Monica Grado for her efforts to make this such a meaningful program for the students and their potential investors. 

If you haven't had a chance to join a Business 4 Breakfast meeting this year, I really urge you to consider it.  We have a wonderful time networking with one another, listening to a short presentation, and then having some terrific commercials about other members businesses.  The atmosphere is casual, the breakfast always features a special pancake or French toast, and we just have a special time getting to know one another.  Please mark your calendar for the next breakfast on March 23rd beginning at 7 a.m.

Have you signed up to help with the Annual Flea Market or to participate in the Shop Local Showcase?  If not, Anna will be happy to take your reservation.  This is our semi-annual major fundraising event and your help will certainly be appreciated.

Our regular Board meetings will take place this month, and they will be back to back, but we have some important issues to address. 

It is time for annual election of the Board of Directors.  If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the Board, please let myself or Mark know so that we can pass your name along to the Nominating Committee. 

I hope to see you at several upcoming events this month, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Regina Rossall
Chairwoman of the Board
Lancaster Chamber 
Membership Luncheon


The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a forum regarding an awareness to the process of becoming a vendor or supplier to public agencies.
 
This will be a great  opportunity for business members in the Antelope Valley to learn more about  the procedures required to effectively bid and win to supply goods and services to: Edwards Air Force Base, Antelope Valley College, Antelope Valley Hospital, LAX and our School Districts. 


  EVENT INFORMATION
 
Date:  
March 8, 2017
 
Time:  
11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Location: 
J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center
43404 30th St West
Lancaster, CA 93536
 

The Chamber board of directors and staff look forward to seeing you there!

2017 Work Ethics Scholarship Program
 
Calling all Sponsors!

The Lancaster Chamber Work Ethics Scholarship program is fully funded by the donations of local businesses. and last year we provided $8,000 in scholarships to 14 local High School graduates who are attending Colleges and Universities this year. 

The Lancaster Chamber is dedicated to building a strong future for the youth of today by supporting our students who have made a commitment of attending college. For over 100 years the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce has remained dedicated to encouraging higher education as a means of preparing young people to become stronger leaders and citizens in our community.

Scholarships are based on academics, the student's demonstrated work ethics in either a paid job or internship, and future aspirations. Awardees must graduate High School in the Antelope Valley and provide proof of college enrollment. Scholarships are provided in $500 levels, dependent on sponsorship's received.

If you would like to sponsor this wonderful program at any level , please download the sponsor application and return it to: 

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
554  West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534
By Fax to: 661-949-1212
or email to:  sharon@lancasterchamber.org  

If you know a high school senior who might qualify to receive a scholarship, please encourage them to apply. Applications can be found  our website at www.lancasterchamber.org  or click here  to download.   

Thank you for your continued support to our local youth and to the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce!

  
Los Angeles International Airport to Get a Game-Changing $5 Billion Upgrade

Andrew Bender  , CONTRIBUTOR Forbes Magazine. ( Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own).

It's not easy being an American airport these days. We may be the world's top economy, but the world views our airports as substandard, with antiquated facilities, poor design and inconvenient connections among terminals and to their cities. Not one U.S. airport cracked the top 25 in the  2015 Skytrax survey of the world's best airports.

Los Angeles International Airport has compared badly even among U.S. airports. Although LAX is the nation's second-busiest airport and the world's fifth-busiest, Skytrax ranks it a dismal 98th out of the top 100, right between Malta and Raleigh-Durham.
A people mover will connect LAX terminals with transit centers and a rental car center. (Image: Los Angeles World Airports)

LAX knows it has a problem. Last week, Deborah Flint, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (which operates LAX), said that changes are "needed yesterday," citing choking traffic, poor wayfinding, inconvenient transit connections and an overall poor experience.

She made those remarks at the kickoff of what could be a game-changing solution: a $5 billion infrastructure plan with the ungainly name Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). LAMP's centerpieces are a two-mile (3.2 kilometer) long automated people mover connecting the terminals with a consolidated rental car center to replace dozens of car-rental lots, transit centers and connections to rail lines, which are also currently under construction.

Anyone who's traveled in L.A. in the last few years knows what a big deal this is. Everything here these days seems to boil down to curbing the ever-worsening traffic: more public transit, bike lanes, denser housing near Metro stops and more.

Now consider that all access into LAX is by road. Bottlenecks of buses, cars and shuttle vans for hotels, parking garages and rental car companies are commonplace at its 8 busy terminals. Officials estimate that the shuttle vans alone account for 40 percent of the traffic into the airport.

Future rental car customers will be able to take the people mover to the rental car center, while other travelers will be able to meet other shuttles and transit at two (again ungainly named) Intermodal Transit Centers.

Flint said that the goal is to complete LAMP in rapid succession, "in no case later than 2023." "How is that rapid?" you ask? Consider the complexity of building the people mover above and around current facilities, and getting buy-in from neighborhoods and other constituencies.

Overview of the Landside Access Modernization Program: the people mover will connect the airport with two Intermodal Transit Centers, rental car center and a newly built rail line into the city. (Image: Los Angeles World Airports).

As if the airport's condition alone wasn't reason enough to move quickly, the 2023 date is important because L.A. is America's choice to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the city has to spiff up. LAX's last major overhaul was just before the last time the city hosted the Olympics, in 1984.

At a forum for prospective bidders to build and operate these various facilities, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council members appeared to show a unified front and emphasize the importance of this project to the city, particularly that processes would be streamlined for quick completion.

All of this is happening amidst ever-increasing passenger numbers. In 2015, LAX saw a record 74.9 million passengers, up 6% from 2014. Officials expect that to increase to 95 million in the next two decades.
By the way, it's not as if LAX hasn't improved in the last few years. A  glitzy 2013 update to the Tom Bradley International Terminal - gateway for overseas travelers - changed perceptions virtually overnight, airlines have been investing about $1 billion in terminal renovations,  authorities have allowed alternative transport such as Uber and Lyft, and branches of well-regarded local restaurants have replaced chain dining throughout the airport.
Promote YOUR business 
FREE of Charge  
  
     FREE 
Chamber Radio 
Talk Show

"Minding Your Business "

Minding Your Business (MYB) the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce weekly radio show features Chamber members and Friends each Saturday at 12 noon on High Desert Radio 1380am. Hosted by Chris Spicher of AV Florist and Aaron Goldstein of GoldsteinDigital. Music is by Lions Named Leo of Bakersfield, CA.
                       
     Saturdays, 12-1 pm
 Call Chris Spicher: (661) 948-6006



  View our videos on YouTube 
A Message from Senator Scott Wilk

GO-Biz Hosting Webinars for Businesses Interested in Applying for More than $68 Million in Tax Credits

The next California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) application period starts Monday, March 6, 2017, with more than $68 million in available tax credits. Businesses interested in applying can register to view a live webinar explaining the application process.

This program is open to any business planning to create new full-time jobs in the state, regardless of size or location. Since 2014, GO-Biz has awarded over $400 Million to 574 companies that are projected to create over 60,000 jobs and make $13.5 billion in investments.

The deadline to submit applications is Monday, March 27, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) and the online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed starting March 6, 2017 at 
  www.calcompetes.ca.gov. 
 
Members of the CCTC team are available to provide technical application assistance (
CalCompetes@gov.ca.gov / (916) 322-4051). An application guide, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), program regulations, and a downloadable version of the webinar presentation are available  here  .  
                                        
Complete List of Upcoming Webinars

March 7, 2017
Details and Registration
 
March 16, 2017
Details and Registration
 
About California Competes

The California Competes tax credit is part of the Governor's Economic Development Initiative (GEDI) which Governor Brown signed legislation to enact in 2013 (AB 93 and SB 90). GO-Biz evaluates the most competitive applications based on the factors required by statute, including total jobs created, total investment, average wage, economic impact, strategic importance and more. Companies are exempted from paying state income taxes in the amount awarded.
 
About Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)

Established in 2012 by Governor Brown, GO-Biz serves as California's single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit:
 www.business.ca.gov  .
 
The 21st Senate District includes the Antelope, Santa Clarita, and Victor valleys.  You can learn more about Senator Wilk by visiting his website . Follow him on Facebook or Twitter .

BUSINESS-4-BREAKFAST

 
   
   Join us for business, stay for breakfast!
 
     Thursday, March 23, 2017

   7:00 A.M.- 8:30 A.M

This Months Breakfast Sponsor:

Royal Family Kids
Rick Chisham, 
661-609-2754

                       
 Event Location
A.M. Cafe
44205 10th Street West
Lancaster,  CA 93534
RSVP: 948-4518 

Please RSVP by Noon the day before the breakfast if you would like to be included in the list that gets handed out to all attendees.

Be sure to bring plenty of business cards

*Please note - If you RSVP and do not attend you will be invoiced for $12.00.

The Month In Pictures

February

 Membership Luncheon 

Mike Mataraza, Your 90 Days of Power

Business-4-Breakfast  "Table Sponsor"
Casa Amazonas  (866) 960-9556
Business-4-Breakfast 
"Best Commercial Winner"
Wilton Mays, Amaysing Fishing 
Bait & Tackle  (661) 429-5824
Ribbon Cutting / Grand Opening
Grace Marie Spa & Eyelash Extensions
1805 W Ave K Suite #105, Lancaster
(661) 270-2593
 Ribbon Cutting / Grand Opening
Clean Smile Dental 
44820 10th Street West, Suite 101
(661) 942-1181
Lancaster Chamber Quarterly Mega-Mixer 
iLead  Lancaster Charter School
254 East Avenue K-4, Lancaster
(661) 609-1489