Fourth District Update December 2019

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

General Updates

 EDA partnered with UCR to host an Opportunity Zone event on campus. EDA presented along with Accelerator for America and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. An investor was present and EDA team is continuing discussions with him regarding best ways to engage the investor community and create a deal structure.  EDA supported the following events: o Inland Empire Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Event – November 13, 2019 o Raincross Trophy Dinner at Riverside Convention Center – November 19, 2019 o Coachella Valley Economic Partnership Greater Palm Springs Economic Summit – November 19, 2019

o Riverside County Ag Summit – November 20, 2019 o Inland Empire Latino Summit – November 22, 2019

o Moreno Valley Workforce and Economic Development Summit – November 22 o Corona Chamber of Commerce Legislative Dinner – November 23, 2019

Coachella Valley Business Center

8 counseling sessions with small business clients were held during reporting period in the CV Business Center:  Gigi Banks, Creative Solutions Marketing- existing printing and marketing business; assistance requested: Strategic marketing and advertising.  Manuel Gaitan, Classic Roasters- Start up, Coffee House; requested services- site selection, business operating structure, permitting, licensing, business banking, and funding.  Bryan Brown, Start-Up RV detailing business- requested services; fictitious business name, licensing, business banking, marketing, and financing.  Shawn Gavelle, S&S Fleet Services, Start up franchise of Fleet Services, Int.; requested services- Start up assistance, funding, management and marketing.  Isabel Babcock, Luxe Beadry, Start-up custom bracelets; requested services- pricing strategy, online marketing and sales and other sales venues.  Evanne Lewis, Mattey’s Mutts, existing custom made small dog vests; services requested; sales and marketing, pricing models and strategy.  Oscar Ortiz, Retail cosmetic startup business- requested services- permitting, licensing, budgeting, fictitious business name, insurance, and taxing information.  Marcus Sassan Motamedi, eTagz a startup QR Code App with emergency medical and contact information for First Responders- requested services; access to capital, pitch deck review, business plan and market research.

Coachella Valley Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC)

 CVSBDC celebrated Grand Opening of Norma’s Italian Kitchen on November 15, 2019. About 30 people were in attendance to celebrate with new owners Charlene Hare and Ronald Stewart.

Coachella Valley Economic Development

 Met with the owner of the Coachella Ranch Market shopping center for a second meeting to discuss a possible mixed use apartment and retail for the center.  Nominated Rod Vandenbos of Buzzbox for the Entrepreneur Spirit Award in the food and beverage category and attended the awards ceremony in Riverside. Mr. Vandenbos won the award for the category and he thanked EDA for all of the effort and support in opening his new international facility in Indio.

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