Senator Scott Wilk, R-Antelope Valley, recently recognized SCV’s Rancho Deluxe Movie Ranch as his Small Business of the Month. Wilk was joined by well-wishers from the business community, employees of Rancho Deluxe, and members of the public at a celebration honoring owner Steve Arklin, Jr. last week.
“Rancho Deluxe is an awesome example of the great film related businesses located here in the SCV,” said Wilk. “Steve Arklin, Jr. is more than just a successful business owner he is a person that gives back to our community on a daily basis. We would be hard pressed to find a cause or charity untouched by the Arklin family’s generosity whether it’s Boys and Girls Club, Henry Mayo Hospital, or CalArts. If there is a worthy cause in this valley the Arklins are involved. This award is our way of saying thank you.”
Rancho Deluxe Movie Ranch was started in the 1980s by Steve Arklin, Jr’s grandfather and has remained an integral part of the Santa Clarita area’s film industry. With over 200 acres of natural terrain, water features and diverse structures it is a popular location choice for major networks, film studios, performing artists and publications.
Small businesses, such as Rancho Deluxe not only play a very significant role in Santa Clarita’s film industry, they are the economic engines of California’s economy. Two out of three Californians are employed by a small business and almost 97 percent of all businesses in California have 49 or fewer employees.
“When you think of California you think of all these iconic companies like Apple Computer but the fact of the matter is more than 50 percent of the people employed in California are employed by a business with fewer than 50 employees. Small businesses really are the backbone of our economy.”
Senator Wilk began presenting this award as a way to commend people who are willing to risk their capitol, hire people and make a difference in the community. The criteria to be recognized: in business three years, fifty or fewer employees and a strong record of giving back to the community.