Santa Fe Springs launches ambitious business growth and attraction program
Santa Fe Springs city manager Rene Bobadilla speaks at an Oct. 16 luncheon where the city announced a partnership with the cities of Commerce, Industry and Vernon. (Photo courtesy City of Santa Fe Springs)
SANTA FE SPRINGS – The City of Santa Fe Springs unveiled a sweeping new Business Growth and Attraction Program during a luncheon at the Historic Clarke Estate on Oct. 16, announcing a series of incentives and partnerships aimed at positioning the city as a leader in Southern California’s next wave of industrial and economic innovation.
Mayor William K. Rounds and City Manager René Bobadilla led the announcement before an audience of state officials, corporate leaders, and economic experts. The new initiative includes nearly two dozen business incentives — from low-interest loans and sales tax rebates to corporate relocation subsidies and fast-tracked plan reviews — designed to attract new investment while supporting existing businesses.
“With our new business incentives and downtown plan in motion, developers in both the commercial and residential sectors will find fresh opportunities in our city,” Rounds said. “Together with our BIG 4 partners — the cities of Commerce, Industry, and Vernon — we’re shaping the future of economic development in Los Angeles County for generations to come.”
Santa Fe Springs’ 75-year-old industrial base is one of the densest in Los Angeles County, with more than 54 million square feet of commercial and industrial space. The new plan also includes a vision for a revitalized downtown district, blending mixed-use housing, retail, hospitality, and public spaces to create a vibrant live-work environment.
The city’s strategy aligns with the newly formalized “BIG 4” partnership, a coalition of Santa Fe Springs, Commerce, Industry, and Vernon that collectively represents less than 1% of L.A. County’s footprint but accounts for nearly a quarter of its industrial square footage. The alliance aims to strengthen the region’s competitive edge and speak with a unified voice on economic priorities.
“Santa Fe Springs is already the densest industrial hub in Los Angeles County, yet there are still promising areas for growth,” Bobadilla said. “Our incentives and partnerships will help attract new industries, create jobs, and ensure California remains competitive with other states.”
The event featured a virtual keynote from Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez, who represents Santa Fe Springs and praised the city’s leadership in promoting innovation and job creation.
“When cities, businesses and local partners collaborate, we create opportunities — better jobs, thriving industries, and stronger neighborhoods,” Sánchez said. “With strong local leadership, like what we see in Santa Fe Springs, we can make sure that growth benefits everyone.”
A panel of executives from Amazon, Primestor Development, and The Orden Company, moderated by UCLA professor and former White House economist Dr. Wesley Yin, discussed California’s business climate and the need for local initiatives to balance growth with affordability.
“Maybe the impact isn’t always immediate to the bottom line,” said Ron Frierson, Amazon’s Director of Economic Development for the Western U.S., “but when we see leaders actively incentivizing business and growth, it’s a step in the right direction.”
Leandro Tyberg, co-founder of Primestor Development, praised Santa Fe Springs for focusing on streamlining regulations and supporting middle-class businesses. “This focus on incentives and community-based development is exactly where we need to be,” he said.
The luncheon concluded with remarks from Senator Bob Archuleta, who represents California’s 32nd Senate District, emphasizing the BIG 4’s importance to the state’s economic vitality.
“The BIG 4 — we are the heartbeat of Southern California,” Archuleta said. “We’re listening to small businesses and making it easier for them. The pendulum is swinging in the right direction.”