LANCASTER – The city of Lancaster’s sales tax revenue for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 3.3% compared to the same quarter from the previous year, city officials announced Friday.
“The recent improvement in our local economy is good news for everyone, especially our small business owners who have been working hard to build and grow their establishments during these tough times,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “We strongly encourage all residents to support all of our local businesses by continuing to shop more right here in Lancaster.”
A look at economic performance across the state of California reveals an upward movement in the five largest economic categories. Construction and Business to Business are at a three-year high. Transportation and General Retail are at a four-year high, while Food Products are at a five-year high.
Over the past two years, from the third quarter of 2010 to the third quarter of 2012, Lancaster sales tax receipts show a 50 percent increase in Transportation (which includes auto sales), and a 17 percent increase in Business to Business.
In addition, the categories of Food Products and General Retail boasted 12 and three percent increases, respectively.
“We are encouraged by these sales tax results, which are consistent with our projections,” said City Finance Director Barbara Boswell. “As a City, we are again seeing the benefits of our diverse tax base, as well as our ongoing economic development efforts to support existing business, while working to bring a number of new businesses here to Lancaster.”
(Information via press release from the city of Lancaster.)
HiFive says
Lancaster has a lot going for it.
1.) new Chipotle and Starbucks on Avenue K & 10th.
2.) City of Hope
3.) Best Western
4.) Morton Manufacturing
5.) new Yoshinoya restaurant
6.) new Kaiser facility
7.) new LA County medical facility
8.) new office/retail space on the BLVD.
9.) new Marriot hotel and restaurants on 20th West & J-8
Lancaster is doing well, all things considered.
ValleyGirl says
10. New boutique hotel on Lancaster Blvd
11. New DMV on 10th street west
ryneshia jackson says
first off who in there right mind would want to stay at a hotel on prostitute row just saying and risk getting mug or shot thats the ghetto if anything stay away from that area
Chris says
Your comments are absolutely ridiculous. Why don’t you go and get an education before making these ignorant statements.
William says
Is that you Rex?
Resident Cynic says
I agree with you that all things considered, getting Yoshinoya, Chipotle and City of Hope are good scores for our city. But let’s be real here, we paid a lot of dough to bring Morton, the County always comes to us, and the new office space is one lawyer moving up the block which will create another vacancy on the BLVD. As far as hotels and a boutique hotel, Embassy Suites, Hampton and Hilton Garden are much better choices because they are in nicer locations and closer to restaurants. Hate to say it but the BLVD is a panhandler’s paradise at night. Lots of drunks on the weekend too. It’s nice in the day for the most part, but forget it when the sun goes down. Unless you like panhandlers.
William says
Wow! And wow again. A ‘fast food’ restaurant and a Starbuck’s and the bragging rights that go with them.
Reminds me of a British movie from the 60s called ‘Mouse on the Moon’ about the US/Soviet space race. The news anchor in England proudly declared that the astronaut was wearing a watch made in England.
It was a comedy like Lancaster. But, I tease the British.
William says
On what planet are a couple blocks of shops and restaurants in a city of 150,000 in a valley of half a million people, a big deal? The west end of the BLVD is mostly banks and other establishments that are closed on weekends, leaving about 3 blocks of actual shopping, dining and strolling about.
The 2 boulevards are totally different concepts but at least Palmdale’s is consistent with a good sized city. If Lancaster were to build any kind of mall, the BLVD would probably revert to a quiet street again.
I’ve lived in cities with 25,000 people that had a more vibrant downtown 50 years ago such as Santa Cruz and Monterey. Heck, Palmdale Boulevard has many more businesses and more varied shopping spread out over a longer stretch.
And, let’s face it, Palmdale isn’t even trying with its ‘boulevard’. It has barely changed in the last 20 years.
Parris has to keep promoting, promoting, promoting to keep the BLVD afloat…..or else. A successful plan takes off on its own eventually.
For example. all the new development of 47th Street East has taken place almost under the radar. I hadn’t traveled over there for several years and when I did last year I was really surprised as I hadn’t heard anything about it.
It’s called synergy. The Walmart and Sam’s Club and all the surrounding businesses on 10th Street West benefited from being adjacent to the Mall and vice-versa.
Michael Rives says
We need some retail establishments in Lancaster. Has anyone in the City Manager’s office ever contacted Sears to see if they would change the KMART into a Sears Store? How about contacting J CREW or the GAP and help them locate to the BLVD? Also, how about being inovative and having schuttle buses throughout Lancaster instead of empty AVTA buses? I wouldn’t be so proud, Rex, of the extent of Lancaster’s building boom is to build medical facilites and new hotel on J8. Do you really believe Marriot customers are going to get off at J8 and stay there? Would you stay in a hotel in Compton?
William says
Rex will sue anyone who doesn’t stay at the new Marriott.
ryneshia jackson says
unless you have a person you picked up to pay to have sex with you then he will give you a discount lolol at least now the druggies and the prostitutes will have a nice place to go lolol
Adam Chant says
Michael Rives,
Your suggestions are all viable and have already at some level been implemented or are being implemented at this time.
Additionally there is the need to have accurate metrics for the Antelope Valley that these retailers look for before they consider locating here. These metrics, while available on a national and regional level are not specifically outlined for the A.V… yet..
Destination Lancaster had a free shuttle service that traveled between the various hotels and retail centers in Lancaster last year and while it was a great idea, the ridership was very low. It was only a short term contract and I would think it would take some time to fully take hold, but who is going to pay for it?
Michael Rives says
I suggested to the Lancaster reps on the AVTA Board that a pilot program of running a schuttle bus between Downtown LC and the AV Mall. I know the AVTA board could find the money if they wanted to try it. I would love to have a ‘dash-type’ on 10th St West to travel both ends of it.
Gladys says
You actually think the Mayor wants to provide the transportation to go outside of Lancaster to shop? I think he’d rather shoot himself in the foot! Maybe he thinks if people are held prisoner in Lancaster they will finally shop on the Blvd or at Walmart.
William says
Have you noticed how 10th West going to Palmdale narrows to 1 lane for a short while?
Someone told me a few years ago that that was to discourage travel to Palmdale. I don’t know if that is correct as that happens a lot around the Valley as properties are developed.
But, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Parris is so obviously small and petty, nothing he does surprises me.
HiFive says
J-8 and 20th Street West is no Compton! It’s a very nice area with lots of law enforcement, AVC professors and medical personnel living there. But thanks for trying to get the rubes stirred up by using the word “Compton”.
Gladys says
20th W and J8? 4 corners. 2 empty lots, 1 gas station and quickie mart combo and a 1 corner with the 14 freeway overpass. What is nice about that?
HiFive says
Your sarcasm is appreciated but be realistic! I’m talking about the adjacent neighborhood that is just south west of there.
Gladys says
Ohhhhh. I only know of 1 cop that lives in that neighborhood. Actually not a cop, he works at a prison. You’re right, that neighborhood is pretty decent.
ValleyGirl says
There is also a fireman living in that neighborhood.
ryneshia jackson says
@hifive must be high if they thinks its not compton
Chris says
Why don’t you move back to Compton, if you really think this area is like Compton.
You’re the type of person who helps to bring the quality of this great area down!
Gladys says
“move back to Compton” and “type of person”? Chris, pull the sheet back over your head, your bigotry is showing.
ryneshia jackson says
lolol there is not one law enforcement who lives that way do the ones patrol compton dont live in compton lol
Adam Chant says
Incidentally over 50% of the LASD deputies that work in the Antelope Valley also live here. AV LASD stations have the highest number of local resident deputies of any sheriff departments in LA County.
It’s not at all beyond reason to have the parent or coach of a youth sport be in law enforcement here in the A.V.
Gladys says
I see the cops who live in my neighborhood almost daily. They drive past the boys smoking dope on the corner, the abandoned cars, the kids skipping school and taking the shortcut through our neighborhood, and the kids fighting after school. I think they are off work or on break so they don’t seem to notice what’s going on.
Gladys says
I wonder how many of the local LASD deputies or LAPD deputies would like to belong to a new Police Department called the Lancaster City Police Dept. Maybe the LEAPS money would be better spent doing the conversion of benefits, etc.
frank rizzo says
There he is again our delousional mayor.
Resident Cynic says
Taking a business from Santa Clarita and paying an auto dealer to move from Palmdale to Lancaster is considered growth? Who do you think pays for all this? The taxpayers that’s who. Just like we pay for all the lawsuits. But hey, don’t stop believing what they tell us.
William says
It’s the GOP idea of growth. When a red state ‘steals’ a company from California, its republican governor gets to brag but it doesn’t create new jobs nationwide, just transfers them from one state to another.
Maybe that’s part of the reason why the unemployment rate is still high. The GOP is just re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
frank rizzo says
I dont foresee any new business in california, why start a business in california if you could do it somewhere else and save 30% of your earnings?
William says
Why would Mitt Romney build a house in La Jolla if taxes are so high in California? Hmmm.
It can’t be that people talk out of both sides of their mouths, could it?
frank rizzo says
Why do you care what Mitt Romney Does or the GOP? YOu must have a deep love for the GOP the way you keep talking about the GOP and giving them props. Rizz Dog Out Hommie Home Slice!
Logic says
If youre talking about Morton Manufacturing, it wasnt “taken” from Santa Clarita. It came to Lancaster VOLUNTARILY because Lancaster has the space it needs to expand while Santa Clarita is mostly all built out now.
ResidentCynic says
Santa Clarita is not built out. There are industrial park properties are under construction right now. Morton probably got a better financial deal to move here. Those who pay taxes are paying the $1.95 million in improvements to bring Morton here. Just like we paid to move AV Chevy here. Just like we paid for Costco. Just like we paid for Barone’s on the BLVD. Those who pay taxes are like ATM machines around here.
Henry says
Yeah, just like Jimmy Ledford paid $5,000,000 to get Macy’s to come to the mall.
As for the Chevy dealership, do your research, the owner was not able to expand in Palmdale, and had no choice but to move to Lancaster, the same goes for Mortons.
John Howard says
ohhhh…. burn!!!
Someone actually called out Palmdale on the same dirty games Lancaster always gets accused of..
And it’s true too so pick your poison.. Take it in the face from Lancaster or take it in the .. from Palmdale.. Same game just another name.. Rape is still rape even if you like your abuser..
William says
@Henry. Did Palmdale put up money to steal Macy’s from Palmdale like Parris tried to do with the Chevy dealership?
I would never buy a Chevy from them or if I had one, I wouldn’t get it serviced there.
William says
That should read “…steal Macy’s from Lancaster…”.
sikntired says
Where in the hell could you put a Macy’s in Lancaster-oh maybe on the Blvd next to the ghetto.
Resident Cynic says
I have done my research, Henry. According to the news reports in the Antelope Valley Press, AV Chevy moved to Lancaster after they could not buy or lease property at the auto mall in Palmdale. Apparently Palmdale did not offer to give AV Chevy any free land. Lancaster offered to pay $604K to move AV Chevy, which as the paper reported, was ruled was illegal by the court. Today, the dough going to AV Chevy is about half of that. Where do you think the money is coming from? Used to be that redevelopment funds were available, but they’re long gone thanks to Gov. Moonbeam. Tell me why are we paying a business to move? If AV Chevy or any business want to move, let them move. They should move on their dime, not ours.
The $5 million for Macy’s was a loan according to the Antelope Valley Press. “The city’s redevelopment agency provided a $5 million loan to the mall for the remodeling work. The loan would be repaid “on a reimbursable basis based on receipts submitted by (the mall) pursuant to an agreed-upon list of reimbursable items,” according to a city staff report. The story says that the $5 million came from redevelopment funds which were available back when the deal was made.
Maybe AV Chevy, Morton, Costco, and Barone’s on the BLVD have similar repayment deals. I haven’t seen that in any of the stories.
Billy says
Palmdale did not steal Macy’s from Lancaster, but they did steal Sears, Mervyns, Harris, JC Penneys, etc.
Resident Cynic says
Billy, did taxpayers pay for Sears, Mervyns, JC Penney, et al to move to Palmdale, or did they just move because it was better for their business? I don’t recall reading anything about Palmdale paying for these businesses to move. As I said before, if any business wants to move it’s their right. should the taxpayer pay for the move? I don’ think so. In California, it’s against the law to give money to businesses such as auto dealers to move.
Adam Chant says
You may want to call it semantics, but the tax payers are not paying these businesses to relocate or expand, the businesses are getting loans that have to be paid back. How and when the money is paid back may be a matter of debate though.
ResidentCynic says
You are correct that Barone’s on the BLVD is getting a loan through the Spice It Up program. That is a subsidized loan in which the last two years are 3%. I would love to get a subsidized loan that the taxpayer funded for that rate. Where do you think the money comes from? Redevelopment is gone. This money is from the general fund. Why is the taxpayer subsidizing loans? AV Chevy is another so called loan that originally was to come from redevelopment, but that’s toast. To fund it, our city had to buy land from Jim Hawse for $1.1 million. Why is our city buying land from one business to get money to give to another business which was ruled illegal by the court anyway? Where is the money coming from now with no more redevelopment? Taxpayers once again are subsidizing businesses. Not all businesses, just the one’s who are chosen. Why did we pay $7.3 million to cover Amargosa Creek on property that is owned by Jim Gilly and Frank Visco? Why did we pay $680,000 to renovate buildings around downtown in the redevelopment zone when Mayor Parris was buying the old McMahan’s furniture store which was also in that redevelopment zone and which by law he wasn’t supposed to be able to do? Will any of that money be paid back? I have not read or seen anything that says Morton Manufacturing is paying back the $2 million in infrastructure improvements for them to move to our city. Where is that money coming from?
Michelle says
Oh wow! 3.3%! Please! I’m gonna continue to drive all the way up to Palmdale to go to the good stores like Best Buy for the better selection of CDs and movies, to Barnes & Noble for their books (though I worry about how long they’ll be open since B&N are closing a few shops) and of course go to one of the restaurants next to the AV Mall.
Lancaster Marketplace was good a long time ago, but now it’s a dump! Plus the mini mall on Ave J right where the Winchell’s donut shop and the Radio Shack used to be really needs a huge make-over! If Rex can make the Blvd look pretty, why can’t he make the rest of Lancaster look pretty too?
I’ve been to the Valencia town-center and wow, it is beautiful! But it is also very functional too, and the parking spots are on the sides of the street!
At least this spring I’ll be getting out of this dump of a city and this state of California!
Adam Chant says
Incidentally every store you mentioned is slated to close hundreds of locations in the next few months. RadioShack, Barns&Noble, BestBuy, Sears, JCP, OfficeDepot, OfficeMax and GameStop are just the big 8 that are reducing this year. There is a high chance that many of these retailers will include their stores in AV due to the over abundance of competition from all of the WalMart retailers here. Some stores will close from internal competition (two or more stores too close to each other) to increase profits, but others will close because there are too many alternative solutions for a given population. (see WalMart count and rising in AV)
You can get every CD, DVD, TV and game system at WalMart so there is no reason to pay even 2 cents more for it at Best Buy..
Michael says
Just move now so we don’t have to put up with your stupid comments anymore.
I used to live in Valencia, and will never again. Some parts look real nice from the surface, but very poorly built. The towncenter attracts many undesirable which lowers the quality of the experience. I hated living in Valencia; between the traffic, people and everything else unpleasant about that area.
People like you will not be happy no matter where you live.
Michelle says
I’m sorry, I won’t comment here anymore.
Michelle says
On second thought, why should I stop commenting here if you think they’re stupid? If you don’t like what I’m saying, then give me the thumbs down! Also, I really do love California and I hate to leave because of the fun places like the beaches, the concerts in LA, the museums, and Universal Studios! It’s just getting expensive to live here and finding a job has not been easy.
ryneshia jackson says
yes thanks to all the ppl who shop at walmart who also beg in front of the stores with out you guys lancaster wouldnt have boosted there sales thanks to the ppl who steal from the stores thanks for the boost to have to spend more money to replace what you took and thank you for selling it and giving the stores the money they would have had now in the hands of your drug dealer…. also a BIG THANKS to the normal ppl who leave lancaster to go shopping else where to where its safe thanks for boosting AVTA and the gas stations
sikntired says
And let us not forget Winco.
ryneshia jackson says
ohh yes WINCO the government grocery store lololol
The Anti-REX says
So his plan is to build more Walmart’s and receive local tax revenue (Wic/EBT). This will entice more low life’s to move here because we have a huge section 8 program that suppresses the housing market. Now we have low cost housing that also invites investors in to buy them all up and rent them out. The ones that do slip by investors are usually the homes on larger lots that won’t make good rentals, they then get bought up by qualifying family and before long there is 3 to 4 family’s moved into the compound. Come to Lancaster, the land of Entitlement!
Mark Lowe says
Actually the housing market here is not supressed at all. My house has already gained $7000 in value between August and now which is quite a jump. We are pretty much at the end of our foreclosure inventory here in the AV which is why you are seeing the prices jump again. This is also good news for those of you who are tired of the Section Eight nonsense because, according to my realtor, many of the former Section Eight properties on the westside are being sold to actual live-in homeowners. Right now, The county housing authority is having the problem of trying to find them places to live throughout the county where there is any available housing. There is also talk of relocating them to housing authorities in nearby counties. The market is doing its job and correcting the situation and we can rejoice in that.
The Anti-REX says
I know two co-workers that have their homes up for short sale and both are in escrow with investors.
@@@ says
We have all kinds of inventory. If you drive around all the latest housing developments you will see over a 1/3 of them are empty. But you will only see for sale signs in a couple. The city and the banks are refusing to put them up for sale so they can artificially drive up housing prices and Rex can pretend we need more built. So we over build again. More houses sit empty. But we get a one time only economic boost.
The city of Lancaster alone owns more than 33 million in empty houses. This is all market manipulation.
And after even more houses are built, we will again be swamped by investors. Which will again swamp us with low income renters. Wake up people. It’s a shell game!
Mike Watt says
33 Million empty houses in Lancaster. Thats allot of houses.
Gladys says
That would be $33 million worth of empty houses NOT 33 million houses. You misread what he wrote.
If a realtors lips are moving, they are lying. Houses are almost worthless right now. I consider my house a bad investment and am contemplating walking away from it. It is worth less than 50% of the purchase price and will never be worth what we bought it for. What to do, what to do…
Chris says
I can see this too. There is only one section 8 neighbor in my entire neighborhood, and that home is now getting a live-in owner. To be honest though, the section 8 caused absolutely no problems.
Forewarned says
Now that people have more money coming out of their pockets with the wonderful Democrat Brown’s sales tax increase and the increase of payroll taxes this so called “economic growth” will only be a memory. Let’s see where we are a year from now. Oh and BTW Hidden due to low comment rating William, glad to see you’re finally coming around and watching FOX news. Maybe there’s hope for you yet….NOT!
William says
I ‘monitor’ Fox News to see what the evil doers like you are up to. I know you are a Fox groupie, buying all their offal and swallowing it.
Then, you come here and regurgitate it. Yuck.
You’re not very bright, Forewarned, and it shows.
frank rizzo says
FOX is AWESOME! YAY GOP BUDDY!
William says
@Forewarned, Republican governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana said that republicans should stop being the ‘stupid party’.
When are you gonna stop, Forewarned?
frank rizzo says
You love the Republicans quit pretending willy will,
William says
I luv how stoopid republicans are. They are so good for comedy.
Their big mouths cost them the elections and what do they do? They re-double their efforts.
They could have one of those ‘jackass’ shows with republicans making fools of themselves. Heck, it could be a long running series.
William says
Really, Rex. I suspect it isn’t because of anything you or the council have done. We are coming out of a near depression, so the numbers are going to improve most everywhere in California except maybe Stockton and San Bernadino and other hard hit places. But, even they might have better numbers now than 2 years ago.
This is funny because republcans are talking down the economy every single day. The Dow went over 14,000 and the right wing media (Fox News) looks for anything negative to report. Today one gal made the 14,000+ high seem like bad news because interest rates are so low that people aren’t going into bonds and instead into stock. Well. golly. Raise interest rates then so we can pay more for mortgages and every other loan.
If the Dow drop 50 points, Fox News calls a ‘Fox News Alert’, the end is near.
I’m sure Forewarned didn’t read this because it isn’t copied and pasted from FoxNation, Daily Caller or WND.
ryneshia jackson says
thats all fine and dandy what about THE SAFETY OF LANCASTER I mean when are you going to make it safe for our kids for the ppl who live there its one giant GHETTO
QHR says
I would shop more in Lancaster if it was less ghetto. It’s sad when you don’t feel safe walking into a store here because of hooded thugs loitering in the stores/parking lots.
ValleyGirl says
Where do you shop that is so ghetto? I agree the west Wal-Mart shopping center is not great at all.
Everywhere else I shop I feel fine. Costco, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, Albertsons, Ralphs, Vons, etc.
QHR says
Make shopping more attractive here like the Towncenter in Valencia and also remove the freaks that loiter around our shopping centers and we will be in good shape.
Forewarned says
Most shopping centers have anti-loitering signs. There used to be a bunch of homeless people that lived out of their cars parked in the 24 hour fitness parking lot in Lancaster. During the peak hours you couldn’t find a place to park so someone I know who goes to 24 hours fitness emailed the City and complained about it. Within a week all the homeless people where gone.
Adam Chant says
One KEY point about VTC (Valencia Town Center) is that it’s private property. It’s a LOT easier to control loitering, panhandling and homeless when it’s private property.
Trina says
Thanks to all the peeps in Rosamond, Mojave, California City, Antelope Acres, Tehachapi, Edwards AFB etc who bring their $$$ here!
dumbandblind says
It should be more like, thanks to all the welfare recipients, EBT and Section 8…..