Vision for Riverside County’s Economic Future

Riverside County is emerging as a dynamic economic hub fueled by innovation, sustainability, and opportunity. By advancing industries like advanced manufacturing, technology, and the creative sector, we’re creating quality jobs, attracting global talent, and opening paths to prosperity. Strategic investments in infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and economic resilience are building strong, thriving communities. Together, we are positioning Riverside County as a leader in economic growth, environmental stewardship, and cultural vitality—shaping the future of Southern California and beyond.

Industry Diversification & Growth

Aims to strengthen the local economy by modernizing traditional sectors and strategically expanding into high–growth industries. This includes attracting new businesses through tailored incentives, supporting retention and expansion of existing businesses, promoting the region as a destination for innovation, fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, and investing in infrastructure that supports emerging technologies and specialized industries.

Highlighted Strategic Actions:

• Identify and market shovel–ready sites based on target industry opportunity.
• Develop industry consortiums to foster collaboration between businesses, research institutions, and workforce partners.

Workforce Development & Talent Attraction

Seeks to build a resilient talent pipeline by aligning education and training with industry needs, expanding access to skill–building opportunities, and creating programs to attract and retain a skilled workforce. This includes fostering partnerships between employers and educators, supporting vocational and technical training, and offering incentives to draw talent to the region.

Highlighted Strategic Actions:

• Develop and launch the “Riverside County Plus One” program, a workforce and talent retention strategy designed to support the partners of newly relocated professionals, especially in sectors like healthcare, education, tech, and government, by helping them find meaningful employment and community connections.
• Establish a Countywide Career Pathways Report Card & Summit to annually assess and showcase progress in expanding access to career pathways through digital learning, certifications, and workforce training, while fostering collaboration among education, industry, and community partners.

Infrastructure Improvements

Supports long–term economic growth by investing in modern, efficient infrastructure systems. This includes enhancing transportation networks to improve mobility and trade, expanding digital connectivity, and updating land–use policies to support mixed–use development. The strategy also aims to reduce commuter traffic by promoting live–work communities and strengthening regional logistics corridors.

Highlighted Strategic Actions:

• Develop model ordinances that provide for adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings (strip malls, warehouses, etc.) into mixed–use spaces.
• Develop model ordinances that provide for hybrid, mixed–use zoning districts, transit–oriented development and flexibility in use–based zoning.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ecosystems

Promotes a dynamic business environment by supporting startups, small businesses, and innovation–driven enterprises. This includes expanding access to capital, creating collaborative innovation spaces, streamlining regulations, and fostering mentorship networks. The strategy also encourages digital transformation and continued investment in entrepreneurial support systems.

Highlighted Strategic Actions:

• Hold “Next Wave Venture Capital Forum” to connect emerging, next generation of startups to potential investors.
• Utilize and expand RivCo Small Business Thrive Program as a connection point and referral network for small business financing options.

Regional Connectivity & Trade Expansion

Aims to enhance economic integration by strengthening partnerships across jurisdictions and positioning the region as a strategic hub for trade and investment. This includes coordinating development efforts, promoting business relocation, and fostering collaboration among public and private stakeholders to support cohesive, cross–regional growth.

Highlighted Strategic Actions:

• International Consulate Engagement Program which will position Riverside County as a premier destination for FDI, trade partnerships and cultural exchange, by hosting targeted visits from international consulates.
• Create/host SelectUSA investment summit (or spinoff event) or create “Invest RivCo” summit with emphasis on FDI.

Regional Branding & Tourism

Focuses on elevating the region’s identity by promoting its unique assets, cultural richness, and quality of life. This includes launching cohesive branding campaigns, investing in signature events to attract visitors, and integrating tourism with broader economic development efforts to amplify marketing and business opportunities.

Highlighted Strategic Actions:

• Develop and distribute brand activation toolkit to economic development partners to utilize branding assets and messaging across the region as applicable.
• Create countywide portal for events that take place within the county and distribute among the visitor network.

Quality of Life & Community Development

Concentrates on creating healthy and vibrant communities by expanding access to affordable housing, healthcare, and public amenities. This strategy supports placemaking efforts that enhance public spaces and cultural assets, while promoting livability and long–term community well–being.

Highlighted Strategic Actions:

• Encourage the development of clinics, hospitals or deployment of mobile health clinics to areas of need within the county.
• Develop a subregional mobility and connectivity framework that integrates complete streets, public transit, and rail to create safer, more accessible, and multimodal transportation options across Riverside County.

The following shows the incentives available to assist in the attraction, retention and expansion of target industry clusters.