Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
35 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Former flight service station renovation
The long-vacant 10,000-square-foot flight service station is going out to bid for roof replacement and full interior renovation. Riverside Public Utilities — which left it half-demolished after an abandoned 311 call center plan — has agreed to pay a significant share, so airport funds may be minimal.
Employment of people with disabilities
Commissioners asked for an HR presentation on hiring people with disabilities and raised long wait times at the Department of Rehabilitation — up to four months in Riverside and two years in San Bernardino County. Staff will pursue contacts and three department presentations are already lined up for next month.
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.
Hyundai Rotem Manufacturing Growth
The rail manufacturer showed off its Riverside plant, which builds train electrical systems and is hiring local technicians and university grads, with plans to grow to 50 employees and launch internships with UCR.
AI strategy and policy for city government
A new three-member council working group will spend 13 months studying how AI affects city operations, workforce, data centers, privacy, and the local economy.
Reclassification Policy II-2 update
The city's rulebook for moving positions between job classifications hadn't been touched since 2014. The update clarifies who can request a reclassification, when, and how approvals and timing work — including a new track for vacant positions.
Hangar shortage and airport land development
There's a 30-person waitlist for hangars and vacant airport land sits undeveloped. The manager is open to unsolicited development offers, courting eVTOL makers ahead of the 2028 Olympics, and exploring charging infrastructure — while declining to add landing fees like Van Nuys.
Human Resources Department presentation
HR Director Goldman explained the city's DEI officer position was never fully filled and was eliminated during the budget cycle amid shifting federal policy. The city instead created an internal-facing employee experience officer role focused on employee engagement and belonging. One commissioner called the workforce diversity numbers startling.
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.
Green Technology Revolving Loan Fund administration
Riverside would put its $135,000 loan fund under First Community Capital's management, offering small businesses $10,000–$20,000 loans at 6.25%. A caller criticized the roughly $8,000/year admin fee as too high for the fund size.
Inclusive Hiring and Youth Mental Health
ChildNet described free mental health and case management services for Riverside County kids on Medi-Cal, and the Inland Empire Neurodivergent Business Roundtable is recruiting businesses interested in inclusive hiring — with a meeting August 27 at the Chamber of Commerce.
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 valet program performance
The six-month valet pilot lost about $214,000 but 60% of surveyed downtown businesses say revenues rose and 80% saw better customer access. The program is going nighttime-only and merging with downtown parking operations in 2027.
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.
Business-friendly process concerns
Multiple commissioners flagged the last-day notice and shifting staff positions as a pattern that makes Riverside look unreliable to businesses. Commissioner Singh warned word-of-mouth damage could deter other businesses from coming to the city.
Employee retention and recruitment efforts
HR reported busy recruitment — nearly 50 lifeguards onboarded for summer, 25 youth interns, and a successful career fair — plus new exit surveys targeting why employees leave in their first two years.
Economic development communications and outreach
A new economic development website, a sign field guide, and two CALED awards were part of how the department plans to attract and support businesses in Riverside.
Apprenticeship Week and LAUNCH program
Riverside's second annual Aerospace Expo more than doubled attendance to 2,200+, connecting students and career-changers with 29 aerospace and aviation organizations. The event doubles as a workforce development play for one of the city's key growth sectors, with a third expo set for April 10, 2027.
Red Tape to Red Carpet Awards
The committee was scheduled to hear a short presentation on the Red Tape to Red Carpet Awards, which recognize local businesses and city staff efforts around customer service and streamlined permitting.
Lamar billboard agreement and ward signs
Lamar will pay the city $2.5 million, $280,000 for ward signs, and a share of ad revenue to swap ten static billboards for digital ones. Some residents slammed the optics; the council emphasized the money flows to the city, not from it.