Energy startup SGH2 has signed a deal with Lancaster officials to build a first-of-its-kind clean hydrogen production plant in the Antelope Valley. The city of Lancaster will own a small stake in the plant, which will use high-temperature plasma torches to incinerate the city’s recycled waste, producing hydrogen as a byproduct. Other production methods are typically more expensive and can result in “dirty” hydrogen contaminated by toxic tars, according the company. SGH2’s method, originally...

The Valley Economic Alliance has received a grant of $65,000 from Wells Fargo. The Sherman Oaks nonprofit announced Thursday the money would be used to create and distribute technical business resources for low-to-moderate income business owners impacted by COVID-19. The alliance will produce bilingual news bulletins and host webinars and virtual conferences, such as career fairs, for business owners in neighborhoods including Pacoima, Sun Valley and Panorama City. Chief Executive Sonya Blake...

Amid the economic wreckage brought on by COVID-19, one industry stands out for its resilience to the virus: self-storage. Deemed an essential sector by the state, self-storage facilities have remained open and operating through the economic freeze that began in mid-March. The standard operating model – where customers pay monthly for a leased storage unit in a facility accessible 24/7 with a personalized key code – has held up fairly well. Most companies have been able to avoid sweeping...

While most businesses have focused solely on surviving COVID-19, insurance brokerage Poms & Associates has launched a rebranding campaign. The Woodland Hills risk management firm debuted this week a new logo and website, and announced a series of television commercials around the slogan “Smarter Insurance for Smarter Business.” The 30-second commercials were produced by West Hills ad agency Glyphix and will air over the next year in Los Angeles and Albuquerque, N.M. – two of Poms’ core...

For the sixth consecutive year, Woodbury University in Burbank has been recognized as a “College of Distinction.” Colleges of Distinction is a national organization that evaluates the effectiveness of undergraduate institutions and compiles an annual guide for students in the college search process. Woodbury President David Steele Figueredo said the selection is an honor and a recognition of the school’s core values. “We have focused on academic excellence and innovative engagement of all our...