OBD helped with savings, business license

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]AN BERNARDINO, Calif. (July 18, 2011)  A new fitness center is coming to San Bernardino thanks to assistance from the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, Office of Business Development.

According to Lori Tillery, economic development manager, San Bernardino Fitness LLC has signed a lease on a 24,000-square foot retail facility at 2041 E. Highland Avenue. Tillery said memberships will be on sale in August and the center is scheduled to open in September. The new business is expected to employ 11 people when fully operational.

“The building will be converted into a state-of-the art-fitness facility and operate under the name Planet Fitness,” she said.

“The business will also take advantage of the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone hiring credits, once Highland Avenue is added to the existing zone,” Tillery said. “The location of a quality fitness center of this size will fill an existing gap in this market in the north end of town, where only a handful of small facilities exist.”

The Office of Business Development assisted the new business with issues such as zoning verification and façade improvements.

Owner Farrukh Zafar said he was grateful for the assistance provided by the Office of Business Development staff. “They offered me different ways to save money and they helped me apply for the business license,” Zafar said.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, or visit www.sbrda.org.