It’s been a very good year for local auto dealers, with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion and generating a record $6 million in sales tax revenue for the city of Santa Clarita. Participating dealers doing business in the Valencia Auto Center belong to the Santa Clarita Valley Auto Dealers Association, a non-profit organization comprised of 13 dealerships representing 17 franchises.
A hallmark of the association is its collective efforts to benefit the city of Santa Clarita’s ‘shop local’ campaign. According to the city’s Web site, sales tax is a primary source of revenue, with 43 percent of the city’s general fund coming from sales tax monies. When purchases are made within the city and sales tax is applied, the city receives one percent of the taxable sale. Stated another way, for every dollar spent on taxable goods, one cent of the sales tax paid is returned to the city of Santa Clarita as revenue.
Earlier this year the city authorized $60,000 in public-private funding to the auto dealers association for the purpose of a partnership promoting the ‘shop local’ campaign. The association’s dealers contributed an additional $312,000 toward that effort. A large portion of the city’s sales tax revenue is derived from vehicle sales.
Several local charities and community-focused efforts also received benefit during 2007 from the association. On behalf of the association, contributions were made to the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, American Red Cross, Special Olympics, League of California Cities, Saugus High School, SCV Community Center, open space initiative and the local chapter of the Jaycees.
The association also provided support and assistance to the College of the Canyons automotive technology program, whose facility is located on the Saugus High School campus. With a nationwide shortage of skilled workers, the college’s program provides students with industry specific knowledge and skills that can lead to employment in the Santa Clarita Valley and elsewhere.
The Santa Clarita Valley Auto Dealers Association is a non-profit organization comprised of 13 dealerships representing 17 franchises. Through the work of the association, they support community improvements and often provide financial contributions to local charities and worthy causes within the community. Participating dealerships include Valencia Acura, Valencia BMW, Valencia Chevrolet, Valencia Chrysler/Jeep, Valencia Dodge, Valencia Honda, Lexus of Valencia, Power Ford, Valencia Nissan, Galpin Saturn, Frontier Toyota, Galpin Lincoln Mercury, and Mercedes-Benz of Valencia.
For more information, please visit www.shopvalenciaautocenter.com .