Movie star Jackie Chan is moving to the Santa Clarita Enterprise Zone. The Santa Clarita Valley Signal reports:
Along with receiving honors from federal, state and local politicians, international superstar Jackie Chan announced at Santa Clarita Studios on Friday afternoon that he will open the U.S. office of his management company, JC Culture USA, in Santa Clarita.
U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, 38th District Assemblyman Cameron Smyth and Councilman Bob Kellar see JC Culture USA as a way to bridge relations with China, while building the local economy through the production company.
Chan, whose speech was translated from Chinese, highlighted his goals with JC Culture USA, which include starting developments in Santa Clarita and joining production efforts between China and the U.S., like hiring local bilingual crew members.
After McKeon praised the “Rush Hour” star for his humanitarian efforts and willingness to establish a world relationship between Santa Clarita and Beijing, China, he presented Chan with the “Sino-American Cultural Exchange Ambassador” award.
Smyth presented Chan with the title of “Honorary Ambassador to the 38th District and Representative for the Film and Entertainment Industry” and noted that the title is “a small, small token of all you have done and will do for this area.”
Smyth also touched on how bringing JC Culture USA to Santa Clarita will be beneficial on a local and state level as it will bring jobs and pump money into Santa Clarita’s economy.
“One of the biggest issues is the loss of the entertainment industry in California,” he said, later adding, “This will have a deep economic benefit and will provide badly needed jobs for the state of California.”
Kellar discussed how Chan’s humanitarian efforts, like starting the Jackie Chan Civil Aviation Foundation and Jackie Chan and His Friends Charity Concerts, epitomize Santa Clarita values, like hard work, vision, humility, charity and a healthy lifestyle.
Before awarding Chan with a silver belt buckle from the city of Santa Clarita, representing a key to the city, Kellar highlighted how important the film industry is to Santa Clarita.
Kellar also said that Santa Clarita is one of the top five most business friendly cities in Los Angeles County and it was named an Enterprise Zone, among other business honors, all of which motivated Chan in bringing his production company to the city.
“The success of the film industry is critical to our success,” he said. Kellar added that during the last fiscal year, the film industry spent $21 million in Santa Clarita.
