|
City Manager Gives Update to Chamber Members at Good Morning Riverside
 Last week I had the opportunity to speak with some of Riverside's finest business leaders at Good Morning Riverside hosted by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, here is a recap of my remarks.
It's been a short six months since I was named as the City Manager and I'm excited to provide an update on the City of Riverside. I started off with what is currently my least favorite subject - Redevelopment. Despite the State's best efforts to prohibit our accomplishments, we are fighting for our City's projects with enforceable obligations and finding alternative ways to pay for other projects and services. I quickly moved on to my new favorite subject - Economic Development. I tell every employee that their job is economic development whether they are picking up trash, approving site plans or meeting with brokers. We understand as a community that every public service, every quality of life amenity starts with a healthy business environment. We have already experienced many economic development successes including a new economic development website, an approved action plan, a Business First program and a weekly radio show. During the current fiscal year 2011/12, we have created more than 1100 jobs and 600 more are in the pipeline. Here are a few of the businesses and job numbers noted: Crystal Pacific Window and Door Systems opened with 20 new jobs; Elephant Thai opened downtown with 10 new jobs; Royal Interpak opened, creating 75 new jobs; Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park opened, creating 80 new jobs; Red Robin will be opening soon at Tyler Galleria bringing 90 new jobs; and, UCPath Center opens July 2013 and will create 600 new jobs by 2014. It's motivating to see this kind of positive economic growth in Riverside and points towards a continued future of even greater success. We are a business-friendly community and we want everyone to know it.
| 
