Tuesday October 17, 2023
Meeting In-person and via ZOOM
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Bill Blankenship, Greg Bradbard, Chris Carillo, Mark Cloud, Ken Coate, Josh Cox, Kevin Dyerly, Sam Gibbs, Louis Goodwin, Otis Greer, Lowell King, Steve Lambert, Michael Layne, Bill Lemann, Miguel Mendoza, Dan Murphy, Darcy McNaboe, Robert Nava, Vikki Ostermann, Cat Pritchett, Thomas Rice, Michael Rivera, Dan Roberts, LeShe Rodriguez, Elizabeth Romero, Dan Schenkel, Kristine Scott, Lupe Valdez, Pete Van Helden, Michael Wells.
Guest: Carrie Schindler
Announcenents: 1) A copy of the letter sent to Senator Butler regarding the appointment of Judge Kato was included in the announcement book. 2) A copy of the letter sent to Assemblywoman Friedman was included in the announcement book. 3) Greg Bradbard announced Swing for Hope golf tournament to be held at Glendora Country Club on November 6. 4) Boys and Girls Clubs will be hosting an Open House and Donor Appreciation Reception at their Clubhouse at 1251 Clay, Redlands, on November 13 at 5:30 to 7 pm 5) Goodwill will host a Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 16 from 11:30 to 1:00 at 8120 Palm Lane, San Bernardino 6) Carole Beswick has been invited to participate in the Strategic Growth Council Catalyst Conference to be held in Sacramento on Feb. 1-2, 2024. She will attend.
Kevin Dyerly, Chair, presiding.
Motion by L. King/Second/Passed: Minutes from October 10, 2023
Darcy McNaboe introduced Matthew Mena, Executive Director of The Inland Empire Growth and Opportunity Initiative (IEGO). IEGO was developed to transform the economic development landscape in the Inland Empire. Their goal is to build a strong and inclusive economy in the Inland Empire, creating sustainable jobs with opportunities for growth, promoting a high standard of living, and fostering prosperity for all residents and businesses.
The Mission of IEGO is to improve and enhance the regional economy and quality of life for all Inland Empire residents and businesses by forming key partnerships and developing and implementing focused, inclusive economic development strategies, programs, and services that improve job opportunities, higher wages, workforce development and enhance the delivery of public and private resources to the region.
IEGO’s vision is to become Southern California’s premier regional economic development non-profit within two years. Within five years, IEGO will grow to be one of the top private non-profit economic development organizations, which will effectively compete with similar regional organizations in neighboring states. In 8 years, IEGO’s goal will be to transform the regional economy with high-paying, secure jobs, a higher quality of life, and a thriving entrepreneurial sector, resulting in shared prosperity for all.
The focus will be on Workforce Development, Economic Development, Capital Investment and Collaboration. They are going to form a non-profit which will encompass defining the organizational framework, ensuring legal compliance, addressing tax considerations, and setting up necessary infrastructure. They are building business intelligence. IEGO collaborates with community colleges for workforce development, partners with UCR on an EDA grant, and utilizes Zoom Prospector and Size Up for business analysis. The latter information will be made available on-line for the benefit of the public and private sectors.
IEGO partners with community colleges to create a Center of Excellence, aligning education with industry for workforce development. This initiative equips students with relevant skills and connects them to regional job opportunities. IEGO secured an EDA Build 2 Scale Grant with UCR, aiming to boost regional economic growth and innovation through research, entrepreneurship, and business development, enhancing the Inland Empire’s economic landscape.
In partnership with the IELI and IECF, IEGO leads the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF). This $5 million initiative is centered around creating jobs and enhancing economic prospects in the Inland Empire.
Q & A Period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 am.