BUSINESS NOTES

-- Andrew Glazer

A large Orange-based company announced Monday that it is moving its

national headquarters to Costa Mesa.

Experian Inc., a company that provides direct mailing and telemarketing

services, will build a campus-style complex one mile east of South Coast

Plaza.

Mayor Gary Monahan was exuberant that the company, which has more than

1,500 employees, chose Costa Mesa and not Irvine as its home.

“It’s really a great grab,” he said. “Especially when a lot of companies

are relocating south.”

Monahan, using a stream of enthusiastic superlatives, said the 19-acre

campus would feature a health club, shopping area and hotel on its

grounds. Experian will construct the 475,000-square-foot complex on Anton

Street near the junction of the San Diego and Costa Mesa freeways. The

project may cost the company as much as $100 million.

Monahan said Experian employees and business travelers visiting the

company will spend money in Costa Mesa and generate tax revenues for the

city.

Until Monday night, city officials kept negotiations with Experian

confidential. In written documents, the city and Experian covertly

referred to the project as “Project Orange Juice.”