Business Advantages
You Won't Believe What's Happening In Pomona!
The City of Pomona is decisively entering into the 21st Century, yet ever mindful of its rich heritage. We're moving forward with projects that include streetscape beautification, modern mixed-use commercial developments and unique new senior housing opportunities. In addition, Pomona is aggressively initiating revitalization efforts in the downtown area, which includes the restoration of a major Pomona Valley landmark, the Fox Theatre. Pomona is a prime location for businesses of all types and sizes.
Additionally, the Pomona City Council and the Business Development Division have implemented a business attraction and retention program. These programs are designed to provide incentives for existing businesses and potential industries to create new jobs and opportunities.
Come and Experience Pomona!
Location, Location, Location
Pomona is located in the heart of the Greater Los Angeles Basin. It is adjacent to the vast and expanding Inland Empire, the diverse San Gabriel Valley, and the burgeoning Orange County. It is a great location and boasts the amenities and stability of entire Los Angeles County.
In addition, to its strategic location, Pomona businesses enjoy several highly coveted business advantages such as ….Access to 5 major freeways, excellent Transportation by truck, rail or air, a Skilled and Professional workforce, and last but not least, Competitive lease rates and Real Estate prices.
Housing
Pomona offers an array of housing:
- Ranch-style houses nestled in the rolling foothills
- Custom-built homes on quiet, tree-lined streets
- Mansions…many recognized by and for their historical significance
- Mediterranean-style gated communities
- New and near-new condominiums
- Rental properties in all styles and sizes
The availability of fine homes, combined with reasonable rental rates, offer an unusually wide range of housing options. The City offers special programs for first-time homebuyers and residential improvement loans for low-to moderate-income families. In addition, an array of senior housing is available for all income levels.
Economic Resources
Although best known as the site of the Los Angeles County Fair, this 487-acre site is host to more than 300 events and 3 million visitors each year. The multi-purpose event center provides entertainment, education, sports and amusements. The Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona has quickly become the venue of choice for national and international trade shows and conventions, as well as family oriented activities that appeal to all cultural backgrounds. The neighboring Sheraton Suites Fairplex hotel has helped to increase business activity in Pomona even further. Ample conference and meeting accommodations, in addition to a three-star restaurant, attract those looking to conduct business in a hospitable and pleasing environment. The City boasts more than 1,150 hotel rooms and meeting space for 1,300 people.
Pomona is home to three universities offering premier education. Cal Poly Pomona's Innovation Village is a $9.2 million Center for Training, Technology and Incubation. It's most recent expansion is a master-planned community of technology-based enterprises, including tech-related companies and biomedical companies. Western University of Health and Sciences continues to be recognized as a distinctive institution, offering nine degrees or certified programs with the addition of the College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 2003. DeVry University is a leader in the field of computer technology.
The Metrolink Transit Center rail system connects Southern Californians to Pomona's shopping, business and entertainment district.
In addition to six banks and three credit unions, Pomona offers two renowned medical facilities: the 436 bed Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center with a staff of more than 645 physicians, and the nationally known Casa Colina Hospital for Rehabilitative Medicine.
Industrial and manufacturing sites play a valuable role in the resources of Pomona, offering affordable location, easy access to all freeways as well as other modes of transportation.
Hidden Treasures
Pomona is a city of hidden treasures. Not only is the headquarters of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) located here, but Pomona also lays claim to owning the only grove of redwoods in Southern California.
Historical architecture abounds throughout the City. This is evident in the design of its churches, commercial buildings and homes. Tree lined streets are sprinkled throughout the city. The small quaint storefronts downtown have started to attract the movie industry. This has launched the City into a new role with increased filming of commercials, video, television and movies being filmed on local streets.
Cal Poly Downtown Center is an inviting place where the University and the community work together to promote the unique cultural heritage of Pomona. Families can gather for events and find exciting opportunities for personal growth and learning.
The downtown area offers two distinct venues. The renowned galleries are recognized nationally for the art they exhibit. The local music clubs currently cater to jazz enthusiasts, however other musical styles are being introduced on a frequent basis. Many collectors make their way to the Antique Row, in search of books, furniture, glassware or vintage clothing.
Rolling hillsides continue to harbor beautiful Spanish-style homes in the Ganesha Hills area, while lush green belts intertwine through Phillips Ranch.
An afternoon of golf may test your skills, and two courses offer the opportunity to test one's golfing skills.
The expansive inventory of vehicles at the Pomona Auto Center should be able to meet, if not exceed, any transportation needs.
Skilled and Professional Workforce
Pomona offers a workforce that is among the most diverse in the region. The combined resource of more than 95,000 students from Cal Poly Pomona, DeVry Institute of Technology, Westech College, Western University of Health Sciences and other nearby colleges and universities, provide a highly educated and well-trained applicant pool. Pomona has an array of professional and skilled workers.
Transportation
Five major thoroughfares provide unparalleled access to Pomona: the San Bernardino Freeway (10), the Pomona Freeway (60), the Orange Freeway (57), the Corona Expressway (71) and the Foothill Freeway (210) continues easterly eventually becoming (Route30).
Ontario International Airport is just 15 minutes to the east, while Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is an hour to the west. John Wayne International Airport in Orange County is less than an hour's drive away.
Not one, but two Metro Link commuter rail stations in Pomona serve the residential and business community. MTA, Foothill Transit, Greyhound, and Get About provide bus service.
Three major rail lines, the Southern Pacific, the Santa Fe and the Union Pacific, cross Pomona.
Two of the largest and busiest ports in the world, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, are located within an hour of Pomona.
Health Care
Nationally recognized as one of the 100 Top Hospitals for four years, the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a 436-bed, not-for-profit, teaching hospital, which has served Pomona since 1903. The hospital is staffed by more that 645 physicians, 2,300 employees and 800 volunteers.
Casa Colina Hospital, specializing in Rehabilitative Medicine, is a 66-bed hospital for victims of brain and spinal cord injuries, chronic pain and pulmonary disease. New facilities have been dedicated to house the Children's Services Center. These buildings have state-of-the-art equipment to assist the staff in shaping the environment of children to enable them to reach maximum potential.
Numerous medical and dental facilities are accessible through out the City.
Education
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly) is home to six academic colleges-Agriculture, Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Environmental Design and Science plus College of Education and Integrative Studies and Collins School of Hospitality Management. It has an enrollment of more than 19,000 undergraduate students. Covering 1,438 acres, Cal Poly footprint is the second largest of the California State University's 23 campuses.
Western University of Health Sciences with its 1,400 students is located in the heart of downtown Pomona. A groundbreaking ceremony in 2002 announced the addition of the College of Veterinary Medicine with classes beginning in the fall of 2003.
DeVry Institute of Technology is one of 20 campuses of the DeVry system of higher education throughout the United States. The Pomona facility offers a Bachelor of Science degree in eight disciplines ranging from accounting to electronics engineering technology and an associate degree program for electronics technicians. The current enrollment is 3,100 students.
Westech College offers a variety of vocational training programs including medical records and billing, and computer-aided drafting with approximately 100 students in attendance.
Pomona Unified School District has 27 elementary schools, 6 middle schools and 5 high schools. Over 32,250 students are enrolled in the district which exemplifies public education at it's best.
The City also has several private schools offering K-12 education.
Pomona is situated within minutes of six other major universities - the five Claremont Colleges and the University of La Verne, as well Mount San Antonio Community College.
Economic Profile
Prime locations, key advantages!
Low costs in a prime geographic location, coupled with excellent transportation are key advantages for manufactures, distributors and destination retailers migrating to the area in search of a less expensive place to conduct business.
Pomona continues to grow primarily due to the influx of distribution and manufacturing. These businesses are comprised largely of local residents.
Numerous colleges and universities have students graduating trained in fields such as engineering and biotechnology who can easily support the economic development of high tech companies interested in locating in Pomona.
Area 22.85 square miles
Population 150,278
Median age 26.77
Median household income $48,793
Median housing value $158,374
Total employment 61,261
Assessed valuation $5,551 billion
Taxable sales $1.114 billion
Average rainfall 17.02 inches
Average temperature 63 degrees
Public Safety
The Pomona Police Department has 174 sworn officers and 135 civilian personnel. It provides services ranging from:
- Community-oriented policing projects and revitalization programs
- Bicycle/pedestrian safety
- Substance abuse suppression
- Education programs
- Neighborhood substations
- Helicopter patrols
The year to date crime rate has decreased by 2.1% from last year at this time.
The County of Los Angeles Fire Protection District has provided fire and emergency service to the City since 1994. Pomona has more than eight fully staffed fire stations, several specialty units and two paramedic squads. The City participates in the regional concept of service delivery and has immediate access to additional equipment including 14 engines and two paramedic squads.
Public safety is always in the forefront of everyone's mind. The average response time for our fire department is 5:08 minutes/seconds. This is within .9 seconds of the performance criteria as established by the City Council.
