2026-2030 Economic Development Strategic Plan

Riverside County’s Target Industries: Building the Next Generation Economy

Riverside County is not just growing—it’s strategically positioning itself to lead in high-impact, innovation-driven sectors. The EDSP identifies eight priority industry clusters that offer the greatest potential for creation of quality/promising jobs, investment attraction, and long-term economic transformation. This table summarizes the eight priority industry clusters identified in the Riverside County Target Industry Analysis (Appendix G). Each cluster is aligned with strategic goals for job creation, innovation, and regional competitiveness.

Subregional Relevance

Economic Potential

Industry Cluster

Strategic Focus

Aerospace, semiconductors, medical devices, mobility tech, plastics, and energy use Precision irrigation, sensors, aerial imaging, crop resiliency

High-wage jobs, innovation, supplier networks, export oriented growth

Advanced Manufacturing

Countywide (esp. NW, SW, Pass)

Modernizing agriculture, water efficiency, food systems innovation High-wage jobs, innovation, supplier networks (tied to advanced manufacturing), ties to UCR research Sustainability, infrastructure investment, ties to UCR research

Southwest, Coachella Valley & Blythe

AgTech

Pharma/biotech, medtech, healthtech, and other life sciences

Biotech

Northwest, Southwest

Battery storage, microgrids, hydrogen, grid modernization

Northwest, Coachella Valley

Clean Energy

Film, music, streaming, branded content, post production

Competitive with LA, high location quotients, mobile production labs

Creative Media & Digital Production

Coachella Valley & Blythe

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