December, 2014

 Riverside County EDA's Mission:
 

The Riverside County Economic Development Agency is dedicated to enhancing the economic position of the county and to improving the quality of life for our residents.


 

In This Issue
Community Thanksgiving Feast
ExCITE Incubator Grand Opening
Cal State Spirit Awards
CVEP Economic Summit
Southwest EDC Luncheon
November Food Seminar
First Solar Job Fair
iHub Port of LA Tour
Business Solutions Report

   
Upcoming Events
 
 

December 6th & 7th, 10am to 6pm

Highway 111 & Indio Blvd. 

Old Town Indio

Indio, California


 

January 2 - 12, 2015
Palm Springs, California
 

January 19 - 25, 2015
La Quinta, California
 

January 20, 2015 11am to 2pm
Ontario Airport Hotel 
 700 N. Haven Avenue
Ontario, California 

 

 

  Medical Design & Manufacturing Trade Show

February 10 - 12, 2015

Anaheim Convention Center

Anaheim, California 

 

 

QUICK LINKS

 

 

 Riverside County EDA website

Riverside County Workforce Investment Board 

 InLand SoCal Link iHub

15th Annual EDA Community Thanksgiving Feast
 
In the spirit of giving, the EDA team, in partnership with the Riverside City College Culinary Academy, hosted the 15th annual Community Thanksgiving Feast on Tuesday, November 25th. Over 360 homeless and needy families received a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Click here for more information on the event.

ExCITE Incubator Grand Opening
  
On November 12th, the ExCITE business incubator officially opened its doors with a grand opening ceremony at its new offices in downtown Riverside. It is operated by the County of Riverside, UCR, and the City of Riverside.
  
The incubator aims to increase the number of successful start-up businesses in the region by providing a location for business synthesis, mentorship and management; access to financial resources and information; access to marketing and professional services; and technology transfer from domestic and foreign universities, organizations and governments. Four companies are currently approved for the incubator with one already moved in. There is room for up to six companies.
  
For more information about the ExCITE incubator, click here.
  
Cal State Spirit Awards

 

The County of Riverside was honored to sponsor the Cal State Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards on November 13th. The annual event is hosted by Dr. Michael Stull and his team at the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship. It celebrates the accomplishments of successful entrepreneurs in the region and also supports the development of future business owners by providing scholarships.

 

Several Riverside County companies won awards or were nominated in nine categories consisting of twenty-seven finalists. We are extremely proud of these entrepreneurs and appreciate the fact they call Riverside County home. Click here to see all the winners.

 
CVEP Economic Summit
  
The annual Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) Economic Summit drew business, education, and civic leaders to network, hear economic performance and forecast presentations, learn about issues affecting business in the Coachella Valley, and see the progress of the business and workforce development programs.
  
The 2014 Coachella Valley Economic Summit was held on October 30th at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California. The program featured economist, John Husing, and keynote speaker, Dan Schawbel, an expert on the millennial generation and its motivations and attitudes about education, careers, work culture, and life. To learn more about the presentations at the Summit, click here.
Southwest EDC Speaker Luncheon
 
Attendees at the November 19th luncheon of the EDC of Southwest California were treated to a presentation on the "Impact of the Mid-term Elections on Economic Development" from Greg Folsom, Deputy Director of Economic Development for Riverside County EDA. 
  
Additionally, Gene Wunderlich, Director of Government Affairs for the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors, provided a recap of the recent mid-term elections and what to watch for in the legislative world.
Food Industry Seminar
 

Over 20 attendees learned critical aspects of starting a food business at a November 18th seminar at ShareKitchen in Cathedral City. The event was hosted by the Riverside County Economic Development and Environmental Health departments, the State Board of Equalization, ShareKitchen, and the CDC Small Business Finance Corporation.

 

In addition to the valuable information provided by the speakers, ShareKitchen graciously sponsored a networking reception following the seminar with delicious food samplings provided by businesses incubated at ShareKitchen and paired with Temecula Valley wines.

First Solar Job Fair in Blythe
  

Over 300 eager job-seekers attended an Information Session and Job Fair at the beautiful Performing Arts Center on the campus of Palo Verde College in Blythe on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.

  

Hiring opportunities will include jobs ranging from laborers, drivers, heavy equipment operators, and support personnel to be hired from local talent eager to fill these positions.  Applications and resumes were collected from all interested persons.

 

Riverside County Workforce Development partnered with Palo Verde College to produce the event and is proud to assist these proven community partners in their desire to hire local talent.  It is anticipated that a follow-up session will be scheduled in early December for interviews and hiring orientations.
iHub Port of Los Angeles Tour
  
Inland So Cal Link iHub partners toured the Port of Los Angeles and met with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, along with representatives from several economic development organizations, to discuss potential economic development opportunities.  
  
For more information on the Inland So Cal link iHub click here.
Business Solutions October Report
  
The Business Solutions Team of the Riverside County Workforce Investment Board had a busy month in October.  The Team placed 139 employees with 88 businesses at an average hourly wage of $11.81. Placements for the month included 22 On-the-Job Training contracts. 
  
For more information on how the Business Solutions Team can help employers click here.