Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert in Southern California. As of 2013, Lancaster was the 31st largest city in California. Lancaster is part of a twin city complex with its southern neighbor Palmdale and together they are the principal cities within the Antelope Valley region and California’s High Desert.
Lancaster is located approximately 70 miles (110 km) north (by highway) of downtown Los Angeles, near the Kern County line. It is separated from the Los Angeles Basin by the San Gabriel Mountains to the south, and from Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley by the Tehachapi Mountains to the north. The population of Lancaster grew from 37,000 at the time of its incorporation in 1977 to over 156,000 in 2010. According to the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance report of 2015, Lancaster has a population of 168,049.
Economy
The Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance describes five areas as business and industrial parks in the city of Lancaster: Fox Field Industrial Corridor (adjacent to the General William J. Fox Airfield) along Avenue G, North Valley Industrial Center, Lancaster Business Park, Enterprise Business Park, Centerpoint Business Park, and the Southern Amargosa Industrial Area. The former Lancaster Redevelopment Agency is credited with attracting major business operations to the area such as SYGMA, Rite Aide, Micheals, Bank of America, and many more. In 2012 the state of California abolished all local redevelopment agencies.The city’s economic development department is now responsible for recruiting large employers and is involved in attracting retail and dining to Lancaster Town Center, Front Row Center, and other retail centers throughout the city.
Another focus of the Agency and the city was the revitalization of Downtown Lancaster. With historic buildings interspersed with modern amenities such as a library and performing arts center, downtown businesses formed the Lancaster Old Town Site (LOTS). LOTS has resulted in the renovation of business facades and attraction of new businesses, including boutiques and restaurants in the Old Town Area.
General William J. Fox Airfield (IATA: WJF, ICAO: KWJF, FAA LID: WJF) is a county owned, public airport in Los Angeles County, California, five miles northwest of Lancaster, California. Locally known as Fox Field, the airport serves the Antelope Valley.
The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a general aviation facility. The airport has limited scheduled cargo operations. The U.S. Forest Service has a fixed wing airtanker base on the airfield which becomes one of the main hubs in the region for aerial firefighting suppression efforts during fire season.
Facilities
General William J. Fox Airfield covers 1,217 acres (493 ha) at an elevation of 2,351 feet (717 m) above sea level. It’s one runway, 6/24, is 7,201 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 m) asphalt.
A High Value Alternative
For businesses seeking a strong presence in Southern California, Lancaster offers abundant commercial and industrial property at very afford able prices. The well-respected Kosmont-Rose Institute survey consistently ranks Lancaster among Los Angeles County’s low-cost leaders. In addition, a recent CBRE report noted that many southland firms are currently looking north for new expansion opportunities.
Since Lancaster continues to offer some of the most affordable housing in the State of California, many workers can still afford to live, as well as work, in Lancaster. The current median home in the City of Lancaster is only $180,000 – just a fraction of the $520,000 average housing price for Los Angeles County. With an average family household income of $82,609, Lancaster has a high percentage of resident homeowners, leading to a more stable workforce, stronger sense of community and a less transient-oriented population base.
Located just an hour north of Los Angeles, the City has improved sites ready for rapid development, large parcels for distribution centers, as well as a variety of multi-tenant spec and build-to-suit opportunities, all with significant price advantages.
Gain proximity to all of Southern California while controlling costs and attaining a competitive edge with a City that is on your side. Make your next move to Lancaster.
Retail and Commercial Sites
The Promenade at Amargosa Creek
The Promenade at Amargosa Creek is a new 115-acre, mixed-use development currently in the planning stages. The Center will be located in the thriving 10th Street West corridor surrounded by Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Target, Costco Wholesalers and the Lancaster Auto Mall.
Also included in the master plan is a 30-acre expansion of auto dealerships along Avenue K-8 across from the existing dealerships within the Lancaster Auto Mall; 535,000 square feet of retail space, 88,000 square feet of pad space for major anchors, restaurant and other retail uses; 165,000 square feet of hotel space; 471,000 square feet of office space; and 67,000 square feet of theater space for a total of 1.326 million square feet of proposed commercial development.
Lancaster Business Park
The Antelope Valley’s premier business address offers discriminating firms a prestigious location for their corporate presence. Offering sites from one-half to 15 acres, these fully improved light industrial parcels and quality office building sites provide a park-like master-planned environment.
Home to 100 companies employing over 4,100 people, the Business Park has attracted many nationally known firms including Morton Manufacturing, Deluxe, Inc., Deutrel Industries, and Lance Camper. The Business Park offers relocating firms:
Campus-like atmosphere
Mature, professionally designed and maintained landscaping
Fortune 500 neighbors
All utilities, roads and improvements in place
Convenient, low interest bond financing
Fast-track specific plan for quick approvals
Master EIR approved
Appropriate for:
Corporate Offices
Fox Field Industrial Center
This 8,000-acre master-planned industrial complex provides an ideal destination for business wishing to obtain land for construction of large-scale facilities.
Home to major distribution and support centers for both Rite Aid drug stores and Michaels arts and crafts suppliers, Fox Field offers:
Great freeway access
Parcels from one-half to 1,000 acres
Flexible land use within master-planned guidelines
Proximity to general aviation airport
Strong expansion potential
Environmental work completed
North Valley Industrial Center
Suited for industrial and distribution centers requiring rail access, the North Valley Industrial Center offers manufacturers parcels from one-half to 100 acres with build-to-suit opportunities. Priced very affordably, the Industrial Center features:
Central Location
Adjacent to Sierra Highway
Easy freeway access via Avenue H overpass
Backbone infrastructure in place
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The City of Lancaster has partnered with the California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to create new programs to assist small business owners and potential entrepreneurs. Sponsored in part by the City and the Antelope Valley Board of Trade, the program offers free small business counseling and low-cost business workshops to new and existing entrepreneurs.
This program aims to provide business owners with the tools and support they need to succeed. Workshops vary in topic from e-mail marketing to writing a business plan, and individual counseling is also available.
