La Mirada Stands Among Most Business-Friendly Cities in the County For the fourth consecutive year, the City of La Mirada was a finalist for the “Most Business-Friendly City” award sponsored by the Los An- geles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). La Mirada’s low cost of doing business and first-rate business attrac- tion and retention program are among the reasons for its selection. ments. Positive relationships with local businesses are important for pre- For over 50 years the City has worked closely with businesses to meet serving La Mirada’s business-friendly environment. their needs and promote economic vitality. The City has also worked Businesses continue to grow in La Mirada, including a new Big 5 closely with the La Mirada Redevelopment Agency to revitalize indus- Sporting Goods, which opened in the La Mirada Theatre Center. Others, trial, commercial, and retail areas in the community, create employment such as TEC Equipment and Horn, have recently expanded their op- opportunities, and promote economic development. erations. Additionally, improvements are set to begin at the Crossroads “La Mirada businesses are important corporate residents which create shopping center in the coming months. Projects such as the Imperial jobs by investing in our community,” says City Manager Tom Robinson. Highway Specific Plan, I-5 Corridor Specific Plan, and La Mirada Retail “Being a finalist again for this award is a major achievement, and reflects Study are being forged to guide the quality growth and development of La Mirada’s stability as an excellent business location.” La Mirada’s commercial areas in the future. The City maintains positive communication with the business com- The City is building on its strong industrial base and continues to seek munity by reaching out to businesses to discuss issues, resolve barriers key businesses looking to relocate and grow in La Mirada. For information to growth, identify expansion opportunities, and recognize accomplish- on La Mirada’s economic development programs, call (562) 943-0131. New Businesses in La Mirada Full service dealership operations are up and running at TEC La Mirada’s new location at 15000 Firestone Boulevard. The new facility features 14,000 square feet of parts warehousing, 53,000 total square feet, and 28 service bays on 5.1 acres. TEC La Mirada is a Volvo and Mack heavy-duty truck franchise store offering retail sales and all-makes service, and is TEC Equipment's Fleet Sales headquarters. TEC Equipment, Inc. is one of the west's premier, full-service truck dealership Sales Tax Revenue groups with multiple locations along the I-5 corridor, providing the convenience of one-stop shopping for all trucking related needs. Shows Growth Big 5 Sporting Goods in the La Mirada Theatre Center recently opened for busi- ness. The rear of the building was expanded by over 2,000 square feet, and im- Preliminary sales tax figures reported by La Mirada provements were made to the ex- businesses for second quarter sales and third quarter re- terior facade and storefront. ceipts showed growth of 12.1 percent compared to the Big 5 Sporting Goods is one same quarter prior year. California overall was 10.13 of America's top retailers of name percent higher for the quarter. brand sporting goods and accesso- “We are pleased to see La Mirada businesses show- ries. The store provides a full-line ing signs of growth following some difficult years,” says product offering of athletic shoes, City Manager Tom Robinson. “The recovery process apparel and accessories, as well will take some time, but it is encouraging to see local as a broad selection of outdoor business activity moving in the right direction.” and athletic equipment for team Sales tax represents 24 percent of La Mirada’s Gen- sports, fitness, camping, hunting, eral Fund revenues, and is the City’s single largest rev- fishing, tennis, golf, snowboard- enue source. ing and in-line skating. 3 City Adopts Imperial Corridor Specific Plan A Specific Plan recently adopted by the City provides a vision for improving properties along Imperial Highway through new land use, architecture, and development standards. The plan promotes business retention and encourages economic development through incentives for master planning commercial sites along the 2.7 mile corridor. Shop! See! Splash! “These guiding principles will be the benchmark for future proj- ects’ design concepts,” said Director of Community Development Holiday Edition Reuben Arceo. “The City will work with key developers to create an environment that supports a variety of commercial and housing op- This summer’s Shop! See! Splash! campaign was the most suc- portunities.” cessful on record. Some 213 shoppers submitted $278,023 in re- The plan also sets a standard for site design. Future building de- ceipts for $4,375 in vouchers for Splash! passes, Theatre tickets, velopment will incorporate Mediterranean-Modernist architecture, a or recreation classes. Last summer, $223,550 in receipts were re- mix of design styles, warm and light earth tone colors and materials deemed and in 2009 $222,000 in receipts were redeemed. that reflect earlier architecture while promoting a modern appeal. Sales tax dollars represent about 24 percent of General Fund rev- Areas of focus will include the intersections of Imperial Highway enues, and is the City’s single largest revenue source. While most at Valley View Avenue, La Mirada Boulevard, and Santa Gertrudes sales tax revenues are generated by businesses located in the indus- Avenue. trial area, this program encourages residents to shop locally for gro- ceries, specialty items, furniture, fuel, and other purchases. Shop! See! Splash! is being offered during the holidays. For every $300 shoppers spend in La Mirada between November 18 and Janu- Energy-Saving Home ary 31, they can redeem their receipts for a $5 voucher valid toward the purchase of Splash! and Theatre tickets or recreation classes. Upgrades Available Shoppers can redeem up to $1,500 in receipts for a maximum of $25 in vouchers. The campaign will continue through January 31, with The Southern California Gas Company is offering no-cost en- the last day to redeem receipts on February 12. ergy home upgrades through their Direct Assistance Program. This program is available to eligible homeowners and renters who meet certain income or other requirements. Renters need written permis- sion from landlords to receive program services. An assessor will conduct a home visit to determine the work to be performed and any Foster Park necessary paperwork. For more information and a referral to a service provider, visit Improvements Progress www.socalgas.com/assistance/dap/ or call 1-800-331-7593. Improvements in the Foster Park neighborhood continue in the area north of Ratliffe Street, including storm drain installation, street reconstruction, curb and gutter work, and repairs to the landscape. The $4.7 million project is funded with Redevelopment and Com- 2012 Calendar munity Development Block Grant funds. “The project is continuing on schedule and will result in major Available Online improvements that will have a positive effect on property values, and relieve flooding concerns in the area,” said Public Works Direc- The 2012 Community Calendar will not be mailed to residents tor Steve Forster. “The patience of residents in the construction area and businesses, but will be made available for purchase at cost of is appreciated.” $12.49 plus shipping online through Lulu.com. The calendar may be The City will also be repairing and replanting turf in the parkways previewed on the site before purchasing, and can be shipped to any disturbed by construction. Work will begin in the area south of Milan address. Creek in the beginning of next year. For more information, call (562) 943-0131. For more information, call Public Works at (562) 902-2385. 4 March Madness Tickets On Sale Now Join us for great March Madness events. LASER SPECTACULAR’S THE SPIRIT OF MICHAEL A Multi-Media Tribute Featuring the Music of Michael Jackson Saturday, March 10, 2012 – 8pm LEON RUSSELL Laser Spectacular’s “The Saturday, March 3, 2012 – 8pm SHA NA NA Spirit of Michael” is an A recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Sunday, March 4, 2012 – 3pm amazing multi-media ex- Leon Russell is perhaps the most accomplished and Sha Na Na brings their 40th Anni- perience that pays tribute versatile musician in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. versary Show to La Mirada Theatre! to the King of Pop. CHUBBY CHECKER AND CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE presents HOTEL IN THE MOOD THE WILDCATS CALIFORNIA A 1940’s Musical Revue Saturday, March 17, 2012 – Friday, March 23, 2012 – 8pm Sunday, March 11, 2012 – 2pm 8pm Thirty-five years after the release of the Eagles’ Gram- With a big band orchestra, singers and dancers, In Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of my Award-winning smash hit album, an astoundingly The Mood is much more than a concert, it’s a retro “The Twist” with the one and only talented group of hand-picked musicians take the stage 1940’s musical. Chubby Checker! to perform, in its entirety, Hotel California. DIONNE WARWICK DAVY JONES Saturday, March 24, 2012 – SINGS THE MONKEES & MORE 8pm Saturday, March 31, 2012 – 8pm Scintillating, soothing and sensual Davy Jones first invaded teen hearts as the internation- best describe the familiar and leg- al idol of millions in the 1960s Emmy Award-winning endary voice of the one and only television classic “The Monkees.” Now, Davy Jones Dionne Warwick, who has become sings The Monkees & More in this special one night a cornerstone of American pop only event! music and culture. For tickets and information visit LaMiradaTheatre.com or call (562) 944-9801 Holiday Festivities at La Mirada Theatre Your entire family will enjoy two special holiday treats at the La Mirada Theatre.