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Burbank Forklift Masts - Situated within Los Angeles County, in the state of California, Burbank is a medium-sized city with an estimated population of approximately 109,000.
Within Burbank, there are two main distinct areas. One located within the area of downtown, with the civic center and several key neighborhoods, nestled on the foothills and slopes which eventually give rise to the Verdugo Mountains. The other main area stretches twelve miles (19 kms) north of downtown Los Angeles to the flatlands in the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley. Burbank is considered the "Media Capital of the World" and is home to many entertainment and media businesses like for instance The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Warner Music Group, NBC Universal, Cartoon Network, The CW television network, Viacom, Nickelodeon and PBS.
More individuals go to work in Burbank then live there. The San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University- Northridge reported that the combined payroll for the private business sector in Burbank was 5.7 billion (during the year 2005). The CSUN's economic researchers report that the private sector within Burbank hired 125,871 individuals during 2005 whilst Glendale, a city close by, employed just 74,149 people. Burbank is the top of the list when it comes to employment numbers and payroll for the internet, telecommunications, media and entertainment fields, producing $4.2 billion in payroll and having a total of 64,949 positions.
Nearly all of Burbank's economy is based on the entertainment industry, as the above evidence supports. Even though Hollywood is considered the home of entertainment, Burbank is responsible for much of the actual production. In addition to the businesses written above, Insomniac games, ABC, DIC Entertainment, New Wave Entertainment and Dick Clark productions likewise have headquarters or facilities within Burbank.
Burbank was once home to the biggest airport in California, and in tribute to these roots the Burbank Empire centre opened during 2001, with a strong theme of aviation. The center itself cost $250 million and was made by Zelman Development Company. It is located on Empire Avenue where "Skunk Works" and various Lockheed Properties were before situated. The businesses inside the centre are making a profit, and by the year 2003 a lot of the retailers and restaurants were ranked in the top national performers in the franchise, if not the top. Over 11% of Burbank's sale tax revenue comes from the Burbank Empire Centre. This does not include the neighboring Costco, that is likewise part of the Empire Center Development.
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