Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues in business jobs
Aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce development via America Makes
Riverside holds a $15,000/year Silver membership in America Makes, the national additive-manufacturing consortium, positioning the city for aerospace and defense manufacturing opportunities — possibly including a regional headquarters bid.
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.
California Baptist University Revenue Bonds
Council approved the state-required TEFRA step allowing CBU to issue up to $45 million in revenue bonds for campus facilities — the city bears no repayment obligation.
Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessment
A downtown resident described waiting over an hour for parking after 12-hour shifts, blocked spaces, and limited police presence, asking for resident-only parking.
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.
International business attraction efforts
Riverside hosted a Select USA spin-off event with 131 international attendees from 17 countries and walked away with six promising prospects, plus 11 new leads from the ICSC Las Vegas retail conference.
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.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse opening at The Mark
After nearly two years of lease negotiations and fast city permitting, Fleming's opens November 9 at The Mark downtown — the 14th Fleming's in California — with about 150 employees, most hired locally.
Business Roundtables program
The city runs business roundtables where local business owners can raise concerns directly with staff. It's part of Riverside's effort to keep the local business climate healthy.
Manufacturing Month and the UAW green economy center
As part of Manufacturing Month, the committee heard about the UAW Center for Manufacturing a Green Economy — highlighting green manufacturing jobs in the region.
Holiday Makers Market
A free, family-friendly market on Main Street between 10th and 12th on December 5, 5–10 p.m., during Festival of Lights — designed to turn holiday foot traffic into sales for local makers who finished a four-week SBDC accelerator.