Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 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.