In an exciting development for Southwest Riverside County, the Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC) is set to launch in Temecula City this July. This collaborative initiative, spearheaded by the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino, the Riverside County Office of Economic Development, and the city of Temecula, aims to provide a comprehensive range of resources and support services to aspiring and existing small business owners in the region.
Fostering Business Success and Growth
Situated on the second floor of the Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange (TVE2), ERC will serve as a centralized and easily accessible hub for small business training and technical assistance. By bringing together various entrepreneurial support organizations, the ERC will offer a complete suite of resources to nurture the success and sustainability of local small businesses.
Paul Nolta, program director of the IECE Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, emphasizes that the ERC’s primary objective is to improve resource accessibility, spur business creation, and address disparities by reaching out to underrepresented groups in the region.
A Collaborative Approach to Economic Dynamism
The ERC represents a remarkable partnership between public education, local government, and entrepreneurial support organizations. Dean Tomás Gómez-Arias of the CSUSB Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration applauds this collaboration, recognizing the ERC’s potential to invigorate the region’s economy by fostering the growth of new ventures and existing businesses.
Temecula Mayor Zak Schwank echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of small businesses as the backbone of the local economy and expressing excitement about the ERC’s role in providing enhanced access to resources for companies in the Temecula Valley.
An Asset for Riverside County’s Entrepreneurial Future
Supervisor Chuck Washington of Riverside County emphasizes the significance of small business growth and entrepreneurship for the county’s economy. The ERC will serve as a hub of diverse regional partners working together to facilitate business growth as the first center of this nature in the inland region. Leveraging the longstanding relationship between the three partners, the ERC’s establishment is a testament to their shared commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and driving innovation in the region.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The IECE, a prominent university-based center at CSUSB, has a remarkable track record of providing business assistance programs and has already gained a reputation as the go-to resource for entrepreneurs in the Inland Empire.
By serving as an anchor for local entrepreneurs, the ERC will coordinate the efforts of over a dozen entities, offering training, technical assistance, funding opportunities, marketing support, and other crucial services to help owners and managers launch and expand their enterprises.
Mike Stull, a professor of entrepreneurship and director of the IECE and the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship, highlights the ERC’s complementary role in conjunction with existing initiatives such as the Inland Empire Tech Bridge, ExCITE incubator, and Murrieta Innovation Center.
Conclusion – A Commitment to Success
The ERC’s success is evident through the significant commitments made by each partner. The Riverside County Office of Economic Development has invested $1.725 million over three years; the IECE is bringing in its primary business assistance programs, including the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC) and Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC), and the City of Temecula is providing 10,000 square feet of physical space at the TVE2.
With the Entrepreneurial Resource Center launch in Temecula, small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Southwest Riverside County can look forward to a vibrant ecosystem of support and resources.
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