Filmore, California

F I LLMORE , CAL I FORNI A opened a storage company called Nova Storage,” adds McSweeney. The local-focused strategy highlights some of Fillmore’s more established industries as well –Ameron is one standout company that produces spun-cast concrete poles, steel traffic lights, and fiberglass utility poles for the city. Green programs have been another successful promotional tool and area of emphasis for the city’s development strategy. “Lots of our new housing developments are required to have solar panels on the rooftops of the homes,” explains Rowlands. “We also have a packing house which houses various entrepreneurial businesses. We’re a very agriculturally-based community. The school district and the city itself employ many of our residents too.” “We work closely with our trade and labor organizations,” adds Villegas. “They’re very interested in putting facilities here, a training center of sorts, so that they can focus on providing students with technical education for construction and developing businesses so that we can build