Economic Impact

The combined land area of the Inland Empire is larger than ten U.S. states—West Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island.

San Bernardino County’s GDP was $123 billion in 2022—the #8 highest out of 58 counties in the state. Riverside County’s GDP was $115 billion in 2022—the #10 highest out of 58 counties in the state.

Economic Impact

The combined land area of the Inland Empire is larger than ten U.S. states—West Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island.

San Bernardino County’s GDP was $123 billion in 2022—the #8 highest out of 58 counties in the state. Riverside County’s GDP was $115 billion in 2022—the #10 highest out of 58 counties in the state.

Economic Impact

The combined land area of the Inland Empire is larger than ten U.S. states—West Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island.

San Bernardino County’s GDP was $123 billion in 2022—the #8 highest out of 58 counties in the state. Riverside County’s GDP was $115 billion in 2022—the #10 highest out of 58 counties in the state.

Customized Economic & Market Analysis

IEGO offers customized economic and market analysis services tailored to meet the specific needs of businesses and stakeholders within the region. Our comprehensive analyses provide valuable insights into market trends, competitive landscapes, high-growth opportunities, and analyzing strengths and weaknesses. These analyses empower decision-makers to make informed choices and drive sustainable economic development.

Quality of Life

Businesses that choose the Inland Empire gain a highly desirable quality of life with access to renowned mountains, deserts, and lakes. The region holds globally recognized music festivals such as Coachella and Stagecoach. Numerous national parks including Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Park as well as the San Bernardino National Forest are in the Inland Empire. Internationally sought-after tourism destinations such as Palm Springs, Temecula, Joshua Tree, and Big Bear are also within the Inland Empire.

Regional Global Identification

IEGO actively communicates to national and international business decision-makers to enhance the region’s visibility and attractiveness for public and private investment. By positioning the region strategically and highlighting its economic strength and opportunities, we facilitate the efficient delivery of resources. We aim to bolster the two-county region’s economic diversity, resiliency, and prosperity through these efforts.

Regional Inclusive Planning (California Jobs First)

IEGO spearheads the development of Inland Southern California’s regional jobs strategy. Aligned with Governor Newsom’s inclusive economic and workforce development approach, this initiative aims to create quality jobs and foster a more accessible economy. We maximize state resources and investments by empowering communities to shape their futures. Funding primarily supports career development projects, ranging from capacity building to industry-specific programs and new job training initiatives.

Center of Excellence

IEGO manages one of the state’s designated Centers of Excellence. Through this program, IEGO actively supports the region’s community colleges and their efforts to match educational programs with industry labor requirements. The Center of Excellence provides tailored quarterly labor data on high-growth, emerging, and economically critical industries and occupations. This real-time insight paints a vivid picture of the labor market’s trajectory, guiding future workforce training and program development to meet evolving demands effectively.

Inclusive Economic Development Planning and Analysis

Ensuring that economic development initiatives benefit all communities throughout the region is paramount to IEGO. The goal is to drive targeted growth, economic diversity, prosperity, and resiliency by implementing a comprehensive industry cluster strategy and an IEGO that engages diverse stakeholders and integrates inclusive strategies into planning and implementation processes, fostering a more equitable and sustainable economic landscape across the Inland Empire.

Regional Business Development

IEGO is dedicated to supporting our economic development partners and their collective efforts to expand, attract, and retain businesses in the Inland Empire region. We provide a targeted approach to build opportunities to empower companies to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the Inland Empire economy.

Grant Writing & Administration

Our experienced team specializes in identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling grant proposals, and efficiently managing the administrative aspects of grant funding. With a keen focus on compliance and reporting, we streamline the process, allowing businesses and economic development partners to concentrate on realizing their growth potential.

B2B Connection

We facilitate meaningful connections and partnerships among regional businesses through curated networking events, comprehensive business directories, web-based tools, and personalized matchmaking services. Strengthening these relationships fosters local business transactions and investments that boost the regional business ecosystem and drive collective success, inspiring a future of growth and prosperity.

Regional Economic & Demographic Data

IEGO diligently collects, analyzes, and disseminates critical economic and demographic data pertinent to the Inland Empire. This valuable economic information guides regional decision-making processes and unveils growth opportunities, empowering stakeholders to make informed choices that drive regional prosperity.

Incentive Coordination

IEGO offers businesses tailored coordination and navigation of various state, federal, and utility incentives to foster economic growth within the Inland Empire. From tax credits to grants, bond financing, workforce and training incentives, and utility incentives, we can assist in customizing packages to meet your business’s unique needs, facilitating your relocation or expansion.

IE Marketing and Communication

Our expert team strategically markets and promotes the Inland Empire as a profitable destination for investment, business relocation and expansion, and new talent. Leveraging comprehensive marketing strategies, promotional materials, and targeted communication channels, IEGO’s team of seasoned professionals can deliver a positive message regarding the Inland Empire that resonates with the right audience at the right time.

Regional Convening

We play a pivotal role in driving economic development initiatives and solutions forward. By facilitating collaboration among key stakeholders from diverse regional sectors, we cultivate a collaborative environment that stimulates innovation and propels economic growth across the Inland Empire. We achieve this through convening conferences, meetings, workshops, and other special events.

	Affordable and Executive Housing
The region is rich in housing diversity creating an affordable quality of life when compared to the coastal communities of Southern California. An example of the region’s popularity is Ontario Ranch, hailed as one of the nation’s fastest growing master planned communities.

Transportation

The Inland Empire’s well-financed leading-edge transportation infrastructure connects business at the local, national, and international level. The region is supported by an extensive network of airports, roadways, and railways.

Railway Investment: BNSF and Union Pacific operate in the region, including plans for the recently announced Barstow International Gateway, a 4,500-acre, $1.5 billion facility – the first of its type in North America. This integrated rail facility consists of a railyard, intermodal facility and warehouses for transloading freight from smaller international containers to larger domestic containers.

High Speed Rail Leadership: Now under construction, Brightline West will connect Las Vegas and Southern California with a high-speed passenger rail system. This 218-mile, all-electric high-speed rail service will include a flagship station in Las Vegas, with additional stations in the Inland Empire’s Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga.

Opportunistic Airport Growth: Significant and expanding airports include San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), as well as numerous cargo and private airports. Of note, ONT is recognized as the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler.

Education

The Inland Empire benefits from numerous research universities including University of California, Riverside; California State University, San Bernardino; as well as Loma Linda University, California Baptist University and University of Redlands, along with more than a dozen community colleges. This dynamic network of research and learning is further supported by a collection of vocational programs.

Environmental Research Leader: UC Riverside’s The Bourns College of Engineering, Center for Environmental Research & Technology (CE-CERT)’s mission is to be a recognized leader in environmental education, a collaborator with industry and government to improve the technical basis for regulations and policy, a creative source of new technology, and a contributor to a better understanding of the environment.

Cybersecurity Learning Leader: The Cybersecurity Center (CSC) at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a pioneer in cybersecurity education. In 2008, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated CSUSB as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance, a coveted recognition for cyber schools as it demonstrates the standard of excellence for cyber education in the nation.

Elevated University Rankings: In 2023, U.S. News & World Report named UC Riverside the No. 2 university in the nation for social mobility. UCR also climbed 13 spots in the overall rankings, to No. 76 among the top 435 private and public universities.

	Workforce
San Bernardino and Riverside counties represent a combined workforce population of more than 2 million. The median age in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties is 32 – five years younger than the California average and six years younger than the U.S. average.

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