Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in business jobs with high priority
Small business support and retention
With over 80% of Riverside businesses being small businesses, the SBDC reported $50 million in economic impact last year and is pushing a strategy to grow businesses under $100K in revenue into half-million-dollar operations. Small Business Week programming and Riverside Rewards incentives reinforce that effort.
New Markets Tax Credits Community Development Entity application
The Corporation wants federal New Markets Tax Credits status, which would open up a big pool of money for investing in lower-income Riverside neighborhoods. The application wasn't acted on because the meeting collapsed over quorum.
Voltu Motor electric truck manufacturing in Riverside
Voltu Motor has started producing all-electric heavy-duty pickup trucks in Riverside and delivered its first trucks to RPU and the city. It's hiring and building a training pipeline with local schools.
USC Sunstone 'Renew' workforce strategy
A USC graduate team that won first place statewide presented a roadmap to fix Riverside's jobs mismatch: 80% of residents commute out for work while employers can't fill roles. Recommendations include hiring two workforce coordinators and piloting healthcare and aerospace-medicine training.
Capital Investment Incentive Program
Riverside wants a new tool to attract large manufacturers by rebating part of the city's property tax share for up to 15 years. Supporters say it brings jobs and investment; every deal would still need separate council approval.
Green Business Attraction and Incentive Program and Thrive Inland SoCal Catalyst Funding
The committee was scheduled to learn about the city's program to attract and incentivize green businesses, along with a related regional Catalyst Funding award. The program could shape which companies Riverside recruits and what incentives they receive.
Veteran workforce training partnership
A proposed partnership would train veterans and underserved residents in AI and emerging tech skills in a city-owned space, with a possible second-phase community cloud data center to keep AI access affordable locally. The MOU is non-binding, so the city isn't on the hook for money yet.
Downtown Experiment revocation and entertainment permit impasse
The City Council sent the entertainment permit code amendment to the Land Use Committee, delaying the fix that would let venues like Downtown Experiment transition from conditional use permits to entertainment permits. Staff will withdraw the revocation case against Downtown Experiment, so the business keeps operating while the policy gets sorted out.
New Markets Tax Credit application for inland regional investment
The new corporation is applying for federal New Markets Tax Credits to fund housing, job creation, and economic development in low-income communities across seven inland counties. The credits were made permanent and expanded under HR 1, making this a good window to apply. The program is competitive, but staff says the corporation is well positioned.
Cannabis storefront rollout and equity program postponement
Six of seven ward dispensaries should be open by early fall, but Ward 4 is still picking its site. The equity program, meant to help smaller and disadvantaged operators, is postponed until the market's absorption capacity is better understood.
Downtown Experiment permit revocation and entertainment permit impasse
The city tried to revoke Downtown Experiment's bar and nightclub permits, then moved to withdraw the revocation — but reversed course the day before the hearing, asking for six months to fix a city code conflict blocking an entertainment permit. Commissioners were frustrated by the miscommunication and voted to keep the case alive for only 90 days as pressure on staff to resolve it.