Victorville: A Winning Logistics Solution T he City of Victorville continues to grow at an alarming rate. As part of the Inland Empire North, Victorville provides an ideal location and environment for companies to do business—and is considered by many as the last affordable place to do business in Southern California. The City offers a business-friendly environment and central location in the midst of Southern California's thriving economy that has attracted many world-class companies such as The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, M&M/Mars, Leading Edge, General Electric Transportation, Pratt & Whitney and Boeing Capital. New additions to the city include Nutro Products and ConAgra Foods. Victorville is perfectly positioned to be the site of choice for relocating or expanding businesses, with the following location advantages: Affordable and available land Qualified, dedicated and abundant workforce Victorville Municipal Utility Service – the City-formed municipal utility offering reliable and affordable electric rates A unified, pro-growth City government Enterprise Zone Foreign Trade Zone U.S. Customs Service Demographics/Statistics 2005 Estimated Population: 91,591 2005 Male Population: 44,639 2005 Female Population: 46,952 Median Age: 31.27 Households: 29,415       % Owner Occupied: 67.52%       % Renter Occupied: 32.48% Average Household Income: $51,022 Median Home Price: $308,000 Economic Incentives • Victorville Municipal Utility Service • Mojave Desert Air Quality       Management District • Customized Training Services • LAMBRA Enterprise Zone • Foreign Trade Zone • US Customs Port of Entry • SCLA - Part of a 60,000 acre       Redevelopment Project Area Southern California Logistics Airport    Victorville's largest redevelopment project is the reuse of the former George Air Force Base, now known as Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA). SCLA has been master planned to serve as the only fully dedicated business and logistics park integrating ground transportation with aviation transport (air cargo) and rail transport. It has been designed to serve as the ultimate logistics solution to relieving Southern California's busy infrastructure network.    SCLA continues to develop into a West coast logistics hub. The latest plans are to bring rail to the park, providing a solution for the growing distribution needs and supply chain congestion at the deep-water ports and Southern California's transportation network.    Logistics Advantages Air: Southern California Logistics Airport Rail: Southern California Logistics Rail Complex (construction 2006) Ground: I-15, SR 395 (US 395), I-40, I-215, Highway 18, Highway 58 Sea Ports: less than 100 miles from the Ports of Los and Long Beach Astronomical Growth    Victorville continues to grow at an astronomical rate. Noted as one of the fastest growing cities in California, Victorville saw a population increase of almost 20% in the past two years. At a current population of over 88,000, the City expects to reach 100,000 in the next 12 to 18 months. This increase in population only adds to the robust labor pool that exists in Victorville today. Retail growth has followed, with the addition of David's Bridal, Home Depot (second Victorville location), Mimi's Café, expanded mall facilities, and a proposed Old Navy and Men's Wearhouse.    Labor Advantages    A dependable and qualified labor force is the most important asset to business success. The City of Victorville is home to a large and diverse pool of workers, and has available educational opportunities to insure a qualified supply of workers for the future. Over 100,000 workers in Victorville and surrounding communities 68,000 local residents who commute to outside jobs – and would love work where they live 34 area universities, colleges and technical schools Job training centers/vocational programs Affordable housing Employee training and recruitment programs are available from the City of Victorville, County of San Bernardino and State of California. Victorville Municipal Utility Service    A critical decision factor for some of the larger companies in their assessment of Victorville was the City's willingness to think outside the box and work to understand their business needs—above and beyond just their site location needs. As the City has uncovered certain companies' need for affordable and reliable power, the City has formed its own municipal utility and is now constructing a 17-megawatt co-gen power plant. Companies looking to locate in Victorville will find affordable land, rail site availability, and reduced utility rates — making business operations and site location to Victorville economically attractive.    For more information, contact the City of Victorville's Economic Development Department at opportunities bounce@victorvillecity.com or call 760-955-5032.