RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA : S. County Chambers Organization Moves

After eight years in Laguna Hills, the South Orange County Chambers of Commerce has moved to a new suite of offices in a new city.

The chamber group recently began operating out of an office in the Plaza Empressa, at 29941 Aventura, Suite I at Santa Margarita Parkway and Via Empressa.

With their lease expiring in Laguna Hills at the end of August, chamber officials made a decision to move when the Santa Margarita Co. came up with an offer for a lease in Rancho Santa Margarita just last month.

The Santa Margarita Co. “made a pretty good offer,” said Barbara Thomas, director of operations for SOCCC.

Terms of the lease weren’t disclosed, but Santa Margarita Co. officials said the two sides agreed on a six-month agreement with the possibility of a longer commitment.

“We believe we made a very competitive and attractive offer,” said Santa Margarita Co. spokeswoman Diane Gaynor. “I think we’re all very happy with it.”

Although concern has been expressed about poor accessibility of the office’s Rancho Santa Margarita location, SOCCC officials said chamber members will be pleasantly surprised at the new office’s proximity to the Saddleback Valley.

With the Foothill Transportation Corridor being built near the chamber site and several access roads opening or scheduled to open, Rancho Santa Margarita is becoming more centrally located in South County, chamber officials said.

“Its accessibility to other major South Orange County business centers via both (Interstate 5) and the Foothill Transportation Corridor made it a logical site for our new headquarters,” SOCCC Executive Director Kate Keena said.