UNLOCK GLOBAL EXPANSION IN RIVERSIDE
Invest in Inland Southern California with Confidence
WHY RIVERSIDE
Riverside offers global investors a powerful mix of location, affordability, talent and innovation. With direct access to major logistics routes, a thriving research ecosystem and a rapidly growing economy, the city is positioned as one of the West Coast’s most competitive markets for international expansion.
One-on-one guidance
from local experts
Innovative ecosystem
Access to global
logistics routes
Quality of life
Concierge Support
Riverside’s economic development team provides a one-stop shop for international investors, including site selection, permitting guidance, workforce connections and more. We continue to attract investment because we deliver what growing businesses need most: affordability, innovation and quality of life.
Riverside At-A-Glance
Five major highways, five international airports and three ports
Central location near global shipping and transportation hubs.
Lowest water and power rates
in the state.
Annual public utility rates for Riverside manufacturing and Large Class A office space was lower than neighboring customers.
$390 million in new construction
In 2024, Riverside added $390 million in new construction alongside 13,500 new jobs and 1,600 new businesses.
Fastest growing region in California.
319,000 residents
1 of 17 Foreign Trade Zones
in California
Allows companies to defer, reduce, or eliminate customs duties.
Produce over 80,000 students
Riverside's top educational institutions provide a pathway for tomorrow's workforce.
RIVERSIDE'S STRATEGIC
LOCATION
Get where you’re going faster with Riverside’s access to key markets. Our infrastructure connects businesses to markets in Inland Southern California to hubs across the globe.
7 AIRPORTS
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Riverside Airport
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Flabob Airport
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Ontario International Airport
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Palm Springs International Airport
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John Wayne International Airport
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Los Angeles International Airport
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San Bernardino International Airport
5 HIGHWAYS
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Interstate 10
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Interstate 15
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Interstate 215
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State Route 60
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State Route 91
3 PORTS
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Port of Los Angeles
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Port of Long Beach
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Port of San Diego
Riverside's Quality of Life
Riverside offers an exceptional quality of life for talented professionals and their families, helping businesses recruit qualified employees that want to enjoy career opportunities alongside personal fulfillment.
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280+ sunny days per year
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Mediterranean climate
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7 golf courses
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144 miles of bike lanes
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3,000 acres of park land
Inland Southern California lifestyle perks:
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Newport Beach ($3,400,000)
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Santa Monica ($1,700,000)
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Pasadena ($1,200,000)
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San Diego ($1,000,000)
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Anaheim ($940,000)
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Rancho Cucamonga ($800,000)
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Riverside ($650,000)
Access to affordable housing (Zillow, 2025):
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State of the art technology in classrooms
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48 schools and a comprehensive adult education program
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26 schools honored as California Distinguished Schools
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15th largest district in California
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42,000 K-12 students and 7,000 adult education students
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40 languages spoken by RUSD students and families
Innovative education through Riverside Unified School District (RUSD):
INCENTIVES
Lowest water and power rates in the state
Annual public utility rates for Riverside commercial properties rank lower than neighboring regions.
There are a number of organizations and programs to support workforce recruitment and retention.
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Riverside County Workforce Development
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Provides hiring support, training incentives, and job matching resources.
Nicole Rand — Development Specialist III
(951) 9559918 | nrand@rivco.org
Jason Tang — Development Manager
(951) 9553046 | jtang@rivco.org
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Employment Training Panel (ETP)
Funds workforce training that leads to high-quality, long-term jobs.
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Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Provides up to $9,600 in tax credits for hiring individuals from targeted groups.
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America’s Job Center of California – Riverside County
Fullservice resource for employment, education, and workforce training.
(800) 3015616
https://rivcoworkforce.org/
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RCCD Workforce & Economic Development
Strengthens talent pipelines through training, education partnerships, and employer incentives.
(951) 2228885
https://wed.rccd.edu/
INCUBATORS
Stemming from our agricultural roots, Riverside has a deep history in innovation. We foster growth among new and growing businesses through our incubators.
Innovation Corridor
The UC Riverside Life Sciences Incubator is equipped for innovation – designed to support startup companies in life sciences, agriculture, biotechnology and medical technologies.
SoCal Oasis Park
For businesses looking for a state-of-the-art incubator space, the SoCal Oasis (Opportunity to Advance Sustainability, Innovation and Social Inclusion) Park has opportunities available within its 50,000 GSP of research and office space. The park is a center for research in climate change, air quality and mobility.
UC Riverside Life Sciences Incubator
The UC Riverside Life Sciences Incubator is equipped for innovation – designed to support startup companies in life sciences, agriculture, biotechnology and medical technologies.
Opportunity Zones
Find your opportunity in Riverside.
Frequently asked questions
Zone 1 – Innovation District / Hunter Park
Main Assets: UC Riverside, Bourns, Solarmax, CARB, Downtown Riverside, Mission Inn, Konica Minolta,
Residents: 44,522
Zone 2 –
Casa Blanca
Auto Mall
Main Assets: Riverside Auto Center – Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexux, Porsche, Harley Davidson, Carmax
Residents: 2,929
Zone 3 –
Arlanza
Zone 3 –
Arlanza
Main Assets: Riverside Municipal Airport, UTC Aerospace Systems, Arlanza Public Library, 91 Freeway Frontage,
Residents: 5,669
Zone 4 –
Canyon Springs
Main Assets: Power Retail Center – Target, Walmart, Sams Club, Best Buy, 60/215 Freeway Frontage,
Residents: 3,965
Strategic Locations:
The Opportunity Zone includes a growing transit network, UC Riverside–affiliated research institutions and expanding downtown entertainment destinations. Two Metrolink stations border the zone, which also contains underutilized former packing houses and industrial buildings ideal for coworking or creative redevelopment. Companies focused on green transportation can benefit from proximity to UCR’s CECERT and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) campus
Record Private/Public Investment:
Investment in the Opportunity Zone has surpassed $1 billion, highlighted by the Imperial Hardware Lofts project. Additional current and planned developments include the new CARB headquarters, the $400M Riverside Alive project, Citrus Tower, expansions at Riverside Community Hospital and Riverside City College, multiple apartment communities, new hotels, the Riverside Food Lab and Game Lab, Downtown Fire Station #1, and upgrades to the Fox Theater, Municipal Auditorium, and Convention Center.
Innovation District:
Riverside’s Innovation District—sharing the Opportunity Zone boundary—attracts investment, supports local talent, and encourages entrepreneurship. Firms like Konica Minolta have joined the ecosystem, and creative office hubs such as ExCITE, Spark Tank, and Mind & Mill anchor the district. Two ExCITE companies, Globe Biomedical and Check Cherry, recently placed 2nd and 3rd in the Riverside County Innovation Month Fast Pitch Competition.
Strategic Partnerships:
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Community Benefits:
Opportunity Zones help drive economic development by creating jobs, supporting startups, stimulating housing projects, and complementing existing tax incentive programs.
Riverside is
one of only 17 Foreign Trade Zones in California.
Foreign Trade Zone
Riverside’s designation as a Foreign-Trade Zone allows companies to defer, reduce, or eliminate customs duties, improving cash flow and lowering overall operating costs, especially for manufacturers and distributors handling imported goods. Riverside’s investments in infrastructure and technology mean that businesses have the foundation to succeed in an evolving world.
Click below to contact us to explore Foreign Trade Zone opportunities today.
