Tuesday, October 25, 2005

A $300 million plan for SCLA

Project to create 2,800 jobs

By MIGUEL GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
VICTORVILLE — Stirling International, the private development partner at Southern California Logistics Airport, announced plans Monday to invest $300 million in the next 30 months to develop 64 million square feet of industrial space.
The ambitious project is aimed at creating 2,800 jobs at the former George Air Force Base.
"There is a demand pressure for larger buildings of up to 1 million square-feet and we want to provide them for tenants," said Dougall Agan, principal of Stirling International, at an event at SCLA.
Agan explained that industrial space is running thin down the hill and more companies have become interested in what SCLA can offer as an alternative.

Photos by James Quigg / Staff Photographer
Rafael Galvez of SDR construction breaks away concrete molds while constructing a hanger at Southern California Logistics Airport on Monday. California Building Systems are planned to construct four new hangers which will open the doors for job growth at the airport.

"We have seen a higher demand and we now have the infrastructure to provide these services," he said.
Agan said the lack of industrial space will be a direct job-generator. To assure this new enterprise is successful, Agan has listed the help of ProLogis, one of the nation's top commercial and industrial real estate companies.
"We want to diversify the type of business that come here," he said. "If somebody wants a building measuring 1 million square feet, than we will provide it. If somebody wants to buy or rent the building, we can also do that."
SCLA Director of business development and aviation Jim Worsham said there is also a demand for more workers at the airport.
"I have put together a list of the positions our tenants will need, and it totals over 500 jobs," he said. "These jobs need to be filled within the next six months," he said.
To fulfill the demand for workers Worsham is working directly with four area junior colleges, including VictorValleyCollege, to attract mechanics and other personnel needed.
"Our plan is to start a certificate course that will be taught at SCLA in cooperation with VictorValleyCollege, San BernardinoValleyCollege, ChaffeyCollege and BarstowCommunity College," he said.
Currently SCLA employs around 2,500 people. Top tenants include General Electric, Liberty West, Pratt & Whitney, Leading Edge, US 101, Boeing, Southern California Aviation, and Heavylift Helicopters.
State Sen. George Runner, R - Lancaster, praised the initiative of Victorville and SCLA officials to attract business here after the closure of George Air Force Base.
"It didn't come without a great deal of challenge, but it surpasses what other former bases have done. And it's positive for the whole state of California."
Inland Energy Group President Buck Johns said that SCLA stands to gain much with the lack of space in the ports of Los Angeles and San Pedro.
"With 45 percent of imports in the U.S. coming in through those ports, something has to give," he said. "SCLA is a perfect example of an InlandPort."
Agan pointed out that SCLA is the largest redevelopment district in the state and that will allow him to keep on building its core of tenants and property taxes for the city.
"We want to bring companies here that will provide jobs, the work force is already here."
Miguel Gonzalez may be reached at or 951-6232.