Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Company Donates $55,000 to College

In a move reflective of its renewed presence in the Antelope Valley, the Lockheed Advanced Development Co. announced Monday a donation of $55,000 to Antelope Valley College for the creation of a fund-raising foundation.

Lockheed officials presented Antelope Valley College President Allan Kurki with a check for $25,000 Monday, with the remainder of the donation to follow over the next three years.

The gift comes as the aerospace company continues closing its Burbank facilities, shifting about 2,500 employees to Palmdale, a transfer intended to modernize and consolidate company operations that will increase the number of Palmdale employees to 4,000 when the move is complete next spring.

According to Jim Ragsdale, a spokesman for Lockheed, the donation to the college is part of the company’s ongoing policy of involvement with the community where it is located.

“Our policy is not affected by the ups and downs of the defense budget,” Ragsdale said. “The amount of money depends on annual earnings, but we realize that as best we can each year, it’s important to support the community.”

College officials said money raised by the foundation will be used to support a variety of projects, including a $90-million expansion that is already under way.

“There are a lot of needs out there,” said Steve Standerfer, a spokesman for the college. “It’s just a matter of determining priorities.”