On June 2, 2025, a small group of leaders from Inland Action along with Monday Morning Group and the Riverside Chamber of Commerce met with Darnell Grisby, Chair of the California Transportation Commission.
A native of Riverside, Mr. Grisby understands the ever-changing needs of our region – both San Bernardino and Riverside counties. While he now resides in Oakland, he continues to have some family members that reside in Riverside, and he stays closely connected to the area.
He shared in his opening remarks his memory of the closure of Norton AFB and the repurposing of March AFB. Even as a young student, he wondered what the impact would be, but more importantly, how our region would recover. Serving as the Chair of CTC, he is a part of that solution.
During the meeting, members of all three organizations were able to share current successes as related to transportation and economic development as well as future needs. Discussion points included:
- Connections of transportation, education, and housing to economic well-being of a community.
- Preservation of SB1 funding for current transportation projects as well as future project planning.
- Sharing the IE’s major investment in transit projects and innovation including ZEMU, West Valley Connector, Brightline West partnership, ONT Connector, and ongoing transit operations. All of this plays into the economy and future housing growth.
- A desire to be a part of the discussion for a gas tax alternative solution that does not inadvertently disadvantage low-income residents and those living in rural areas.
- Strategize future work force development utilizing higher ed institutions:
- UCR and strength as a research institute
- Cal State SB key programs such as cybersecurity
- SB Valley College certification programs in aviation and electric truck maintenance
- The group recognized that there are many more higher education institutions in the region that provide excellence in education, positioning students for higher-paying careers. The challenge is ensuring the region is attractive to retain this talent in the area.
We look forward to ongoing conversations with Mr. Grisby and thank him for his support to our region.
<photo from left to right: Thomas Rice, Vice-Chair of IA; Dr. Ray Wolfe, Executive Director of SBCTA; Julie Michaels, Executive Director of IA; Darnell Grisby, Chair of CTC; Carrie Schindler, Deputy Executive Director of SBCTA; Mike Burrows, CEO of SB International Airport>