City Aims to Prevent Firm From Leaving

To keep jobs from migrating out of town, City Council members say they are prepared to provide $30,000 to an engineering firm to prevent it from moving to neighboring Moorpark.

View Engineering, located in Simi Valley since 1983, is looking to the city to provide 10% of the nearly $300,000 in repairs it needs for its building at 1650 Voyager Ave., just north of Royal Avenue.

City leaders say it’s an investment to keep jobs and tax revenue in Simi Valley. “I see no reason why the council wouldn’t support it,” Mayor Bill Davis said.

The company, which manufactures computerized measurement devices used for quality control in the semiconductor and electronic industry, has about 50 employees, most of whom live in Simi Valley. The employees on average earn about $55,000 annually, Davis said.

The company plans to use the city’s $30,000 grant for air conditioning, floor repairs, parking lot repaving, plumbing and and roof replacement.

View Engineering was recently acquired by Quality Vision International, a Connecticut holding company, according to a letter from the company’s president to city officials.

The new corporate parent has dedicated itself to revitalizing View Engineering to “enhance its technology and operation,” View President Steven Rosso wrote in a June 19 letter to city officials.

Council members Glen Becerra and Barbra Williamson said they support the donation if it keeps the company in Simi Valley.

Along Tapo Street, more than a dozen business owners have taken advantage of city grants to help them improve the appearance of their buildings.