The North American Political Economy (Chapter 4)

Today, the economy of the Antelope Valley is primarily composed of tertiary and quaternary sector activities, with aviation and aerospace being the primary industries of this area. Many aerospace contractors have facilities located in the AV, including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. These contractors lease space at the United States Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, which is the "birthplace of the Space Shuttle." My father has worked for Northrop Grumman for the last thirty-three years, and he is currently working on the Global Hawk project at Plant 42. These aerospace companies are contracted by the United States military and international agencies, so they are linked to the quaternary sector of the economy. With 9,000 employees, Air Force Plant 42 is the second largest employer in the Antelope Valley, after Edwards Air Force Base, which is located northeast of Lancaster.

Overhead view of Plant 42 in Palmdale:

Overhead view of Edwards Air Force Base outside of Lancaster:

(Sources: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/afp-42.htm, http://chooselacounty.com/laregions/antelope.html)

The Antelope Valley is also comprised of a strong tertiary economy, with numerous shopping centers, restaurants, and recreational facilities, like movie complexes and golf courses. 

Today's Antelope Valley is quite diversified. Available, affordable land, an educated workforce, pro-business local government, and easy access via State Route 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) have made the area home to over 13,000 businesses. The Valley is a choice for logistic operations companies, manufacturers, and top Fortune 500 firms. Two major call centers are located in the area, employing thousands of residents. The recent influx of upper-middle class residents has attracted many new retailers, restaurants, and professional service companies to fulfill these consumers' wants and needs.                                                                         (Source:  http://chooselacounty.com/laregions/antelope.html).  

Thus, the economy of the Antelope Valley is composed of a strong aerospace industry and a diversified tertiary sector. Of course, the AV is home to several school districts and colleges, as well as local governmental agencies, which employ a significant portion of the area's population as well. I was born in Palmdale in 1992, and in my almost 22-years in the Antelope Valley, it has been interesting to watch the area grow and expand, and indeed, the AV continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in Los Angeles County.