“Turning Red Tape to Red Carpet” Award winners announced
Inland Empire Economic Partnership Thursday recognized the leaders of Inland Empire governments and agencies at its Third Annual “Turning Red Tape to Red Carpet Awards” reception, held at the Red Hill Country Club, in Rancho Cucamonga.
The IEEP, the region’s largest economic development organization, honored the cities, counties and agencies that came up with innovative ways to enhance job growth and the local economy despite an often-difficult regulatory environment. These are the Inland Empire government departments and personnel that have gone the extra yard to grow the economy in spite of that. Agencies were recognized in four categories, and two individuals were nominated for their public service efforts.
The event was graciously sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase. Agencies were recognized in four categories, and two individuals were nominated for their public service efforts.
Public-Private Partnership
WINNER
City of Rialto. The Renaissance Rialto Project encompasses the master planning of approximately 1,500 acres of land located along the 210 Freeway in the City of Rialto and the redevelopment of the Rialto Municipal Airport. In 2003, the City of Rialto and the Lewis-Hillwood Rialto Company, LLC, (LHR) entered into the first of several agreements establishing a public-private partnership to undertake the Renaissance Rialto Project.
RUNNER-UP
Fontana Police Department. Since 2013, the Fontana Police Department and the Fontana Chamber of Commerce have worked in partnership to provide the business community with direct access to public safety resources. The programs have increased business engagement and empowerment through presentations addressing public safety concerns.
FINALISTS
Riverside Public Utilities. Last year, Riverside Public Utilities began a peak load-shaving pilot project with Ice Energy, a Santa Barbara-based company that manufactures thermal energy storage units called Ice Bears. While the initial intent of partnering with Ice Energy was to procure their energy resource technology to lessen the impact of HVAC load on Riverside’s electric grid, RPU was able to use its economic development tools to attract the company’s research and development division to Riverside.
City of Moreno Valley. Securing a lucrative auto manufacturer (Fisker) into the City was a tremendous win not only for the City, but for the Inland Empire and the State of California. Ultimately, the selection by Karma to build their first manufacturing facility in Moreno Valley, California depended on the ability of the partnership to demonstrate the capacity, good will, and expertise needed to bring automobile manufacturing back to California.