As was the case in 2006, a blue-ribbon panel of judges selected the winning city out of a pool of applicants from amongst the County's 88 cities, which included five other finalists: Burbank, Cerritos, Long Beach, Palmdale and Santa Clarita. Since LAEDC regulations prohibit Eddy winners from re-applying for a minimum of three years, El Segundo did not participate in the competition this year.
"As winners of the first-ever "Most Business-Friendly City" award, we are thrilled that Lancaster has been recognized for its continued commitment to business growth," said El Segundo Mayor Kelly McDowell. "Being business-friendly is critical for an individual city to thrive, but it is even more significant on a regional level. Cities like Lancaster help build LA County's reputation as a global business capital, which in turns helps the region as a whole."
Over the past 25 years, LA County has seen a population increase of over 2.5 million residents, yet only an additional half a million jobs. While some cities have actually lost jobs, others including El Segundo and Lancaster have continued to prosper thanks to their strong pro-business philosophies.
LAEDC President and CEO Bill Allen hopes the success stories of El Segundo and now Lancaster will continue to inspire other cities to improve their own efforts with business. "We want to encourage other cities within Los Angeles County to provide the highest level of economic development service for businesses that are thinking of expanding or relocating to the region," he said.
McDowell encouraged Lancaster to work hand-in-hand with the LAEDC to help further the cause. "We feel that it is imperative as a city to be a leader and inspire other cities in the region to up the ante in terms of their commitment to business growth and economic development," he said. "Lancaster gets the message and we hope to partner with that great community to advance the LAEDC's mission to create more quality jobs countywide."
About El Segundo:
A coastal community situated just south of Los Angeles International Airport, El Segundo features quiet residential neighborhoods and a quaint, pedestrian-friendly downtown as well a bustling eastside commercial district that caters to over 85,000 employees daily and boasts the highest paying jobs in the entire South Bay. Known as the Aerospace Capital of the World due to the presence of Los Angeles Air Force Base and several of the world's largest defense firms, El Segundo is also home to more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies in a variety of key industries, ranging from information technology to entertainment.
For more information about El Segundo and its win of the 2006 Inaugural "Most Business-Friendly City" Eddy Award, please visit
Lancaster Joins El Segundo as Countys Most BusinessFriendly City Award Winner