Fourth District Update_Feb 2020

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

General Updates

 Meeting for Innovation Month discussion and planning of activities in the Coachella Valley held on January 28, 2020 in Palm Desert with economic developers from Valley Cities, Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau, CVEP, and Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce.  ED Team provided technical assistance to Steve Solari, Hospitality Development Company who is working with investor group on potential boutique hotel in Vista Santa Rosa. Zoning information along with Fast Track program information was provided.  EDA Team provided technical assistance to Frank Goodyear, an out of town broker assisting a client with site selection for manufacturing company wanting to relocate from overseas.  Trammel Crow announced that Sam’s Club will be occupying an almost 800,000 sq. ft. industrial facility at their Knox II Industrial building in the Mead Valley Industrial area. EDA’s support of this attraction effort was “instrumental” in landing this project. Sam’s will employ approximately 500 people at the new facility. ED and Workforce teams will partner with Trammel Crow on a job fair(s) to assist with hiring and training.  EDA hosted two Opportunity Zone events on January 21, 2020 with speakers from Kosmont and Associates and Blake Christian, a Certified Public Accountant. Both firms have expertise in Opportunity Zone matters. The event provided updates on the final regulations which were issued at the end of December 2019 and in-depth information about potential investment deal structures, and how communities can take advantage of this tool to further economic development. Next steps include: o Developing a framework whereby certain projects in unincorporated Opportunity Zone communities will receive expedited entitlements and permitting. o Continue developing an inventory of projects throughout the county that will be matched with Qualified Opportunity Funds.  ED Team met with Denise Hamet, Economic Development Manager, and Ana Morales, with the City of Desert Hot Springs to discuss Team Riverside County, WDC, and CVSBDC programs. The city staff are very interested in partnerships to assist with economic, workforce, and business development. 9 counseling sessions with small business clients were held during reporting period in the CV Business Center:  Jazmine Oden, On-Line Virtual Assistance business - Startup; requested services - Start up assistance, marketing, business plan and financial projections.  Derek Etten, PC gaming arcade - Start up; requested services - Lease review, marketing, business plan, financial projections, and management.  Patrick Whan, Tour Business for Joshua Tree; requested services - Business plan, market research, permitting, licensing, website, and marketing strategy.  Alireza Alemo, Absled, LLC – Startup Sahara Date Brandy distiller; assistance requested: funding, marketing, and start up assistance.  Jeff Wer, Shish Kebab, Start-Up Micro Home Kitchen Operations (MHKO) - requested services; site selection, fictitious business name, licensing, business banking, marketing, and financing.  Mark D. Brady Photography, existing custom; requested services - Pricing strategy, online marketing, and sales.  Diego Jinkus, Startup self-sustainable container homes for short-term off-grid rental; services requested – Business plan, pitch deck, viability, projections, sales and marketing, pricing models, and strategy.  Roger Leary, Startup car collection concierge; requested services - Building out a website, brand and logo development, LLC formation, business banking, permits and licensing, and business insurance. Coachella Valley Business Center