According to the Victorville Daily Press, August 26, 2010, the town of Apple Valley is ranked No. 4 in California for the strength of its retail market, a new survey says, with sales that have grown 533 percent faster than the average California city over the last five years. "I'm extremely proud of the fact that Apple Valley is in the top five statewide," Apple Valley Mayor Peter Allan said, crediting town staff for the boom in retail over the past few years. "I think we've attracted shoppers from other communities based on the strength of our retail market and our diversity in retail. People have to shop somewhere and they want to shop where it's a pleasant shopping experience."

Barstow is ranked No. 25 on the 2010 California Retail Survey, growing 231 percent faster than the statewide norm. Hesperia is ranked No. 27, down from No. 10 on the list two years ago. But Hesperia still logged sales over the last five years that grew 215 percent faster than state averages. And sales tax in the city was up 5.3 percent during the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, jumping from $1.3 million in 2009 to $1.37 million in 2010. Beaumont took the No. 1 spot on the survey, with growth that's 895 percent above the state average. Auburn and Brentwood were the only other of California's 480 cities to beat out Apple Valley, which made its debut on the California Retail Survey at No. 12 in 2008.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, May 27, 2010, Southern California Edison is betting $6.2 million that the northern part of the town sees 10 percent growth over the next decade. That's what the power company told the Apple Valley Town Council it will invest in the area, which has been set aside for mostly industry. Nancy Jackson, public affairs manager for the utility, laid out the plans in a 15-minute presentation to the Town Council.

"If they're (the town) preparing to bring in the kind of industrial customer load they're anticipating, then we need to prepare for that," Jackson said. The power company plans to include a new substation, new distribution lines, upgrades and replacing old infrastructure as part of the investment, Jackson said.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, July 22, 2010, Apple Valley Mayor Peter Allan acknowledged during the annual State of the Town presentation that it hasn't been a "typical year," he insisted Apple Valley is "weathering the storm better than most" and that there are a number of "good signs" indicating things are starting to turn around. The town cut its budget by 13 percent over the past two years, but managed to do so without any layoffs or furloughs. Instead, some non-critical projects were delayed, all departments cut their budgets by 10 percent and five staff positions were left vacant. "We're really trying to get some employment in the town of Apple Valley," Allan said during the video presentation, as he looked out over the 5,100-acre North Apple Valley Industrial Specific Plan area. The town is proposing to install nearly $13 million in water and sewer infrastructure to accommodate future businesses there, paying for the improvements through user fees and a bond issuance. Town officials are insisting it will finally be the year that the Yucca Loma Bridge begins to make its way over the Mojave River, with the presentation stating it's a "virtual certainty" dirt will be moving on the long-awaited project before next summer.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, April 8, 2010, Burlington Coat Factory plans to take over the former Mervyns site at Jess Ranch Marketplace, officials announced Thursday, bringing with it the equivalent of 100 full-time jobs. "The announcement of Burlington Coat Factory coming to Apple Valley is just the shot in the arm we needed," Mayor Peter Allan said. "It fills up our largest commercial vacancy, further enhances an already thriving commercial center and will provide jobs and tax revenues to our coffers for many years to come." The 80,000-square-foot space has sat empty since the Mervyns chain went bankrupt more than a year ago. "The addition of a Burlington Coat Factory will not only support, but will increase activity at Jess Ranch Marketplace," said the agent, who handled lease negotiations for the center on behalf of the developer.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, September 9, 2010, Sycamore Rocks Elementary in the Apple Valley Unified School District has been named one of the nation's best schools in 2010, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Thursday. Sycamore Rocks was one of 21 California public schools and 304 schools nationwide to earn the prestigious title of National Blue Ribbon School. Less than 1 percent of California schools received the honor. Sycamore Rocks is the 11th school to make the Blue Ribbon list in San Bernardino County history. "I congratulate these outstanding schools and celebrate this accomplishment made possible by hard work, commitment and a determination to provide a rigorous education that is helping their students reach their full potential," State Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell said in a statement. "I hope other schools will be able to follow their lead and turn struggle into success." The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes elementary and secondary schools that have demonstrated both superior academic achievement and dramatic improvement while serving a large population of low-income or "disadvantaged" students. Officials define "disadvantaged" as generally meaning that more than 40 percent of students either participate in the subsidized lunch program have parents who didn't graduate from high school or are English learners. Schools were nominated for the honor first based on their achievement history for 2005 to 2009, but they had to meet additional targets on 2010 standardized tests.

 

 

According to the Orange County Register, October 6, 2010, it's official, once again, that California is an expensive place to do business. But two local communities, Apple Valley and Hesperia, made the list of the 10 least expensive cities to do business. The latest confirmation comes from the 2010 Kosmont-Rose Cost of Doing Business survey released Saturday. It is a project of Kosmont Companies of Los Angeles and the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College. A third of the 40 most expensive U.S. cities for business in the survey are in California while three of the 40 least expensive are in this state.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, July 10, 2011, the Town Council will discuss launching an effort to annex 2,774 acres known as the "Golden Triangle" into Apple Valley's boundaries. The addition would grow the town's boundaries by roughly 6 percent, taking Apple Valley proper from 74 square miles to more than 78 square miles. It would also bring an extra $14.2 million into the town's coffers each year if the property is developed as planned. The Golden Triangle is bounded by Interstate 15 on the west, Dale Evans Parkway on the east, Johnson Road on the south and Morro Road on the north. Annexing the acreage would roughly double Apple Valley's freewayfrontage property for future commercial development, with plans for residential and industrial zoning in the area as well.

 

 

Apple Valley is situated in the Victor Valley, and lies north of Victorville. Apple Valley occupies a land area of 78 square miles. Apple Valley incorporated in 1988, and became the Town of Apple Valley. According to Apple Valley Councilman Bob Sagona, the designation of “Town” was adopted, instead of “City,” in order to emphasize the rural character of Apple Valley. In Apple Valley the minimum residential lot size is one-half acre, and many homes are situated on a full acre or larger. Compare that with the typical nice home in San Diego, Los Angeles, or Orange County, which sits on a lot averaging less than 1/5th of an acre. 70% of the Apple Valley’s homes are owner occupied. It is the premier executive housing area of the region. Apple Valley prides itself in magnificent homes with breathtaking views.

 

Click here to see Apple Valley Video! According to the Southern California Association of Governments, Apple Valley’s current population of about 70,000 residents is projected to climb to 95,000, which represents an increase of about 36%. Apple Valley has plans to one day expand from its current geographical area of 78 square miles to 130 square miles. Apple Valley is a pro growth town that permits fast track development approval in just 120 days, as part of its dynamic development plan.

 

Apple Valley offers many homes in prestige guard-gated communities such as in Quail Valley Estates and the Jess Ranch. With the emergence of the Southern California Logistics Airport to the Victor Valley and the presence of global billion-dollar companies like Boeing, General Electric, Pasha Group, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Pratt & Whitney, the need for executive housing for upper level management in Apple Valley will become very significant.

 

 

The Jess Ranch Residential Development is situated on 1400 acres and features a guard- gated community with an 18-hole golf course and nice lake amenities. The Apple Valley Country Club is an upscale private Golf Country Club, which has some gorgeous homes right on the Course.

 

 

 

As to education, the Apple Valley Unified School District is a leader in technology and academic excellence. The District currently has nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. The recent completion of the 180,000 square foot Granite Hills High School is a significant development. It is an upscale, modern, technologically advanced high school that can boast of having over 2000 students and having its very own performing arts center. Granite Hills High School could serve as a catalyst for increased residential development surrounding the High School. In addition, The Lewis Center for Educational Research in Apple Valley is a California Golden Bell-Award-Winning and nationally recognized model of science education. This School is proud to have a NASA affiliated complex that includes a research-quality observatory and a T-40 jet flight simulator.

 

In the area of health care, Apple Valley is the home of the largest medical community in the Victor Valley. As you drive into Apple Valley, you cannot help but notice the impressive St. Mary Regional Medical Center on Highway 18. The recent $40 million expansion provided advanced levels of service in cardiology, radiology, surgery, emergency care and patient care. Apple Valley also can take pride in the state of the art Apple Valley Radiology and Oncology Center. Apple Valley has emerged as the leader in advanced health care from pediatric to radiology to neurosurgery. It is understandable that the doctors and surgeons who practice in Apple Valley would appreciate the upscale executive housing options available to them.

 

As part of its efforts to attract commercial and industrial companies and create new jobs, the Town of Apple Valley has created two redevelopment project areas totaling 16,000 acres. The Town's efforts have paid off, because as you drive down Highway 18, you see a hotbed of commercial activity, including major shopping centers and malls that are home to Wal-Mart, Lucky/Sav-On, Subway, Hollywood Video, Ralphs/Hughes, Longs Drugs, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Target, Albertson's, Rite-Aid and many others.

 

 

Apple Valley has leaped into the 21st century with its new $3.9 million Town Hall, consisting of a 25,000 square foot state of the art facility, including a $96,000 multimedia system for broadcasting public meetings over cable and the Internet. The Council Chambers will have a 159 seats equipped with 20 speakers, special units for the hearing impaired, including cameras for recording and broadcasting the meetings on televisions and computer monitors throughout the building. The Town has a five-year plan to construct a Civic Center area with a 19,500 square foot library, a 13000 square foot police station and a 22-acre park and recreation area.

 

The Apple Valley Airport is part of the San Bernardino County Airport System, and is considered the "gem" of the entire System. This Airport is a general aviation airport with a 6500-foot runway that has the capacity to handle DC-9's, Boeing 727's, corporate jets, and helicopters. In addition, a 4500-foot crosswind runway was recently completed. According to Bill Ingraham, the Director of Airports for the San Bernardino County Airport System, there is a new law enforcement facility for the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernardino County Sheriff, which is located immediately to the south of the Apple Valley Airport’s terminal building parking lot. Professional Land Corporation has strategically located, already zoned industrial land parcels in the area surrounding the Apple Valley Airport.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, February 25, 2010, manufacturers looking to position themselves for an economic recovery are looking to locate their operations in Apple Valley. The Boyd Company is a New Jersey based consulting firm that advises businesses on where they should locate. They ranked Apple Valley among the Top 45 small market U.S. cities in a recently released cost-comparison report. Apple Valley placed 32nd in the study. Many company executives have shopped around during the economic downturn and see a bargain in the Victor Valley, Boyd said.

The Boyd Company is based in Princeton, N.J. and counts Hewlett-Packard, Honda Motor Company of America and Verizon Wireless among its clients, conducts similar studies every 18 months or so as a routine part of its business, Boyd said. Several of the firm's clients are specifically interested in the Victor Valley in general, Apple Valley in particular. Boyd said he met with two on Wednesday morning, though he would not identify them.

Apple Valley has worked hard to position itself for an inevitable economic comeback, streamlining its permitting process and pushing for completion of a large industrial complex on the north side of town in the area surrounding the Apple Valley Airport and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Henderson said. He went on to say that he wants the North Apple Valley Industrial Specific Plan completed by the end of this year. "It's excellent news," Apple Valley Representative Henderson said. "I couldn't be happier." While Boyd said the two have not talked, he and Henderson seem to be of the same mind when it comes to industries the town should attract. Boyd sees the area ripe for green production facilities because of state and federal subsidies, while aerospace and high-end automotive parts manufacturers would also makes good fits. Interestingly, Henderson recently attended a medical industry trade show where he met with several medical device manufacturers. Without mentioning names he received what he called three or four "very promising leads". Boyd, incidentally, said a medical device manufacturer would also be an excellent match for Apple Valley.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, January 18, 2010, Wal-Mart has installed its largest solar project to date at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in north Apple Valley. More than 5,300 ground-mounted solar panels now cover a seven-acre field near the facility's Johnson Road site. The panels will supply one megawatt of power, or enough to meet roughly 20 percent of energy demands from the 1.3 million-square-foot distribution center." They aren't just talking about being a more sustainable company, they're acting on it," said Apple Valley Councilwoman Ginger Coleman, in response to the news. The Apple Valley site is part of a pilot project Wal-Mart first announced in May 2007 to purchase solar power systems for up to 22 Wal-Mart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers in California and Hawaii. The goal is for Wal-Mart's massive national chain of stores to eventually be powered completely by renewable energy sources, with plans to have added solar installations at up to 20 additional California sites by this fall.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, February 25, 2010, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union cut the ribbon for the grand opening of its new branch in Jess Ranch on Thursday morning. The opening of the new branch at 19111 Town Center Drive is only the latest, certainly not the last, for Alaska USA, credit union officials told a gathering of about 50 community and business leaders." We've evaluated the market (in the Victor Valley) and we feel that it's a good way for us to expand in the future," Geoff Lundfelt, senior vice president of branch administration said.

 

 

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, October 8, 2009, in spite of the poor economy and the housing slump, Del Webb Sun City in Apple Valley is saying it is the right time to buy. The home builder is opening six new models with prices starting at $170,000. Sizes range from 1,099 to 2,076 square feet, with up to three bedrooms for the 55-plus market.

 

 

 

 

Billion Dollar companies assemble large land parcels around the Apple Valley Airport

We have been following the progress of Watson Land Company and First Industrial Trust. They are big industrial developers and they have been assembling land parcels around the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Apple Valley. These guys develop huge projects and are looking for tenants for their Apple Valley projects. Developers see gold in High Desert dirt, as a haven for logistics companies seeking wide open spaces near a redeveloped air base, freeways and rail lines. With its eye on the rapidly diminishing supply of open space elsewhere in the Inland Empire, Watson Land Company in Carson made its first foray into the High Desert with the purchase of 160 acres in Apple Valley. The company bought the acreage from nine property owners last year and earlier this year. Watson is assembling additional parcels and expects to eventually own upward of 250 acres near the existing Wal-Mart distribution center and Interstate 15, said Craig Halverson, Watson vice president of Acquisitions. The Company will build and lease about 2 million square feet of space on the land, according to the Victorville Daily Press, June 24, 2007.

In addition, First Industrial Trust is assembling huge parcels in Apple Valley. "Our landholdings in Southern California allow us to serve our customers through the development of state-of-the-art distribution facilities that accommodate increasing demand for industrial space from rising trade volumes and population growth," said Phil Bowman, senior vice president of development of First Industrial. During 2007, First Industrial and its partner acquired nearly 900 acres of land in Southern California through 16 transactions. Year to date, First Industrial and its partner have acquired an additional 400 acres of developable land in the Inland Empire that can accommodate approximately 9 million square feet of development. First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR) provides industrial real estate solutions for every stage of a customer's supply chain, no matter how large or complex, across more than 30 markets in the United States and Canada.