V.V.A.R. Hears About Hesperia's Enterprise Zone

The June general membership meeting of the Victor Valley Association of Realtors, sponsored by Shear Realty, was marked with presentations of awards and pins and a very informative presentation by Steven J. Lantsberger, Economic Development Director for the City of Hesperia.

V.V.A.R. President Cecil Volsch welcomed the group. He introduced Glenn Zimmerman who stood in for Bess Kline in leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Bernard Wagner stood in for Membership Chairman Jim Phillips in presenting Kari Leon who pinned a new Realtor, Brandi Sandoval, from Agio Real Estate Inc.

Cecil also presented James Harrison with a certificate declaring him a lifetime member of the California Association of Realtors. Mr. Harrison started selling real estate in the High Desert in 1959.

Mr. Lantsberger was responsible for Hesperia’s successful efforts to secure California Enterprise Zone and Recycling Market Development Zone designations.

His presentation covered several aspects of the Enterprise Zone development already underway including the “G” Avenue Industrial Rail Lead Track Project. It will consist of one mile of new railroad lead track and a parallel runaround track. Additional warehousing and distribution centers will be facilitated by this rail project. Included are water runoff controls and the development of approximately 210 acres in the “I” Avenue industrial area.

Jobs will be created, starting with 250 permanent jobs with 400 potential jobs added over the next nine years. The groundbreaking has happened, with officials of the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad on hand.

The Recycling Market Development Zone designation is a new one, permitting state loans for using recycled materials in the building and development of these areas. There are many incentives for the City of Hesperia as well as Broker incentives and commission-matching incentives.

Mr. Lantsberger also discussed the building of Hesperia’s first cinema complex, a 12-screen IMAX cinema. The Ranchero Underpass is also a “go,” though the timeline will be at least 24 months due to the need to keep the trains running.

A Super WalMart will break ground — projected date July 20, 2011 — at the corner of Escondido and Mesa Streets in Hesperia.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to short campaign speeches by those members running for office. Ballots are due by 8 a.m. on July 27, the morning of the next general membership meeting.

The Annual Charity Golf Tournament is September 12 at the Spring Valley Lake Country Club with sign-in at 8:30 a.m. Foursomes are $90 per player, and V.V.A.R. is looking for hole sponsors for $125.

The group’s annual “Christmas in July” boutique is July 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Indoor booths are $15, outdoor booths are $10, and all V.V.A.R. members are welcome to bring their wares.

The V.V.A.R. meetings are the fourth Wednesday of the month except December at 7:30 a.m. at the office, 11890 Hesperia Road, Hesperia. The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 760-244-8841 and the website is

The June general membership meeting of the Victor Valley Association of Realtors, sponsored by Shear Realty, was marked with presentations of awards and pins and a very informative presentation by Steven J. Lantsberger, Economic Development Director for the City of Hesperia.

V.V.A.R. President Cecil Volsch welcomed the group. He introduced Glenn Zimmerman who stood in for Bess Kline in leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Bernard Wagner stood in for Membership Chairman Jim Phillips in presenting Kari Leon who pinned a new Realtor, Brandi Sandoval, from Agio Real Estate Inc.

Cecil also presented James Harrison with a certificate declaring him a lifetime member of the California Association of Realtors. Mr. Harrison started selling real estate in the High Desert in 1959.

Mr. Lantsberger was responsible for Hesperia’s successful efforts to secure California Enterprise Zone and Recycling Market Development Zone designations.

His presentation covered several aspects of the Enterprise Zone development already underway including the “G” Avenue Industrial Rail Lead Track Project. It will consist of one mile of new railroad lead track and a parallel runaround track. Additional warehousing and distribution centers will be facilitated by this rail project. Included are water runoff controls and the development of approximately 210 acres in the “I” Avenue industrial area.

Jobs will be created, starting with 250 permanent jobs with 400 potential jobs added over the next nine years. The groundbreaking has happened, with officials of the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad on hand.

The Recycling Market Development Zone designation is a new one, permitting state loans for using recycled materials in the building and development of these areas. There are many incentives for the City of Hesperia as well as Broker incentives and commission-matching incentives.

Mr. Lantsberger also discussed the building of Hesperia’s first cinema complex, a 12-screen IMAX cinema. The Ranchero Underpass is also a “go,” though the timeline will be at least 24 months due to the need to keep the trains running.

A Super WalMart will break ground — projected date July 20, 2011 — at the corner of Escondido and Mesa Streets in Hesperia.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to short campaign speeches by those members running for office. Ballots are due by 8 a.m. on July 27, the morning of the next general membership meeting.

The Annual Charity Golf Tournament is September 12 at the Spring Valley Lake Country Club with sign-in at 8:30 a.m. Foursomes are $90 per player, and V.V.A.R. is looking for hole sponsors for $125.

The group’s annual “Christmas in July” boutique is July 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Indoor booths are $15, outdoor booths are $10, and all V.V.A.R. members are welcome to bring their wares.

The V.V.A.R. meetings are the fourth Wednesday of the month except December at 7:30 a.m. at the office, 11890 Hesperia Road, Hesperia. The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 760-244-8841 and the website.