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Simi Valley reports new businesses, industrial shifts and film growth; council approves amendment to consolidated plan
Summary
Assistant City Manager Luis Garabari told the council Simi Valley has seen multiple new and incoming businesses, industrial leasing activity and growth in film production. The council approved a technical amendment to the FY2025–29 regional consolidated plan to include a "promote economic development" goal for Simi Valley.
Assistant City Manager Luis Garabari reported to the council on Sept. 15 that Simi Valley has recently attracted new retail and industrial tenants, is pursuing proactive outreach to help businesses through permit processes, and continues to expand the city’s film and marketing efforts.
Garabari listed recent and incoming businesses, including Misfits Pilates in Wood Ranch Village Center, High Bar and Lounge at the Tapo Canyon plaza, an Italian deli/market he referred to as "Porcelinos/Porcelinos" and the planned Simi Valley Brewing Company, which he said is targeting a first-quarter 2026 opening after work to convert the former Marie Callender's site. He praised building inspection staff for working with developers to keep projects moving.
On the industrial side, Garabari said vacancy statistics showed an anomaly after the Milgard Windows building (about 237,000 square feet) reached the market and increased total inventory, though completion of recent projects such as Easy Street industrial buildings and the Tapo Canyon Commerce Center also adds leasable space. He said two recent lease wins illustrate demand: SpaceVector, a Chatsworth-based aerospace and defense hardware maker and prime contractor for U.S. Space Force, is bringing about 60 higher-wage jobs; and Western States Packaging, a poly-bag manufacturer, has located operations in Simi Valley.
Garabari said the city is working closer with Southern California Edison to identify long-lead issues, particularly power reliability and approvals, by convening a roundtable with SCE planning and development staff and plans to hold those discussions at least twice a year. He also said the city is shifting marketing strategy from static advertising to partnerships, citing a sponsorship and partnership with the LA Business Journal’s Women in Leadership Symposium as an example.
On film, Garabari said Simi Valley has hosted about 175 production days year-to-date with an estimated $2,600,000 impact and noted the city’s role in reviving the Ventura County film roundtable and supporting the Simi Valley Film Festival.
Separately, the council held a public hearing and approved a substantial amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025–29 regional consolidated plan to incorporate a "promote economic development" goal for Simi Valley. Staff said the goal had been omitted from a prior regional consolidated plan record and that the amendment corrects that omission. The 30-day public review period ran Aug. 15–Sept. 15; the council adopted the amendment unanimously.
Council members used the discussion to urge continued support for small businesses, to encourage early contact with planning staff before signing leases, and to consider neighborhood transition planning for businesses displaced by future development of the town center.
No votes were required on the economic development presentation itself beyond the consolidated-plan amendment, which the council approved.
