Santa Clarita business owners have something new to celebrate this fall: the city has been named a Large City Finalist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s 2026 Most Business-Friendly City Award, according to an announcement first reported by the Santa Clarita Valley Signal on October 16.
Santa Clarita is one of seven cities recognized in the Large City category, out of fourteen finalists selected across both the Large and Small City divisions countywide. LAEDC’s Blue-Ribbon Committee conducted an independent review of each city, and Santa Clarita stood out for its integrated approach to business retention and recruitment, workforce alignment, and one-stop permitting — the kind of behind-the-scenes infrastructure that determines how quickly a new restaurant, retail shop, or office can actually open its doors.
Mayor Laurene Weste called the recognition “a tremendous honor,” saying it reflects the city’s commitment to being “a true partner to our business community” and that making it easier to do business in Santa Clarita is a continuing goal, not a one-time push. The city’s release framed the nomination around a simple idea: helping businesses start, stay, grow, and invest, backed by responsive city services rather than red tape.
For business owners anywhere in the greater LA area, the takeaway is practical as much as celebratory. Permitting speed, workforce programs, and how easy it is to reach a real person at city hall are increasingly part of how cities compete for investment — and increasingly part of how owners decide where to open a second location or relocate entirely. Santa Clarita’s nod is a reminder that the Santa Clarita Valley continues to position itself as a lower-friction alternative within the region for entrepreneurs weighing their options.
The 2026 honorees will be formally announced at LAEDC’s 31st Annual EDDY Awards on Wednesday, November 4. Whether Santa Clarita takes home the win or not, the finalist nod itself is a useful signal for any business owner scouting LA County locations this year.
Source: Santa Clarita Valley Signal
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