City of Riverside Earns International Honors for Economic Development Excellence

City of Riverside recognized as Economic Development Organization of the Year, alongside awards for real estate development and the Aerospace Community Expo

RIVERSIDE, CA, UNITED STATES, October 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The City of Riverside has earned three international honors from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), further establishing Riverside as a premier destination for investment, business development and innovation.
The recognition comes just months after Riverside earned IEDC’s prestigious Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) designation, placing the City among a select group of economic development organizations recognized for professional excellence, organizational performance and industry leadership.

Riverside received a Bronze Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year, a Gold Award for Real Estate Development & Reuse for Farmhouse Collective, and a Silver Award for Special Event for the Aerospace Community Expo.
Together, the honors recognize a broader transformation of Riverside’s economic development efforts and the measurable results being delivered for the community. Through a more strategic approach to business attraction, retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, real estate development and industry growth, Riverside has attracted six international companies within 18 months, generating more than $142 million in private investment and more than 700 quality jobs in the clean and green technology cluster.

“Earning the Accredited Economic Development Organization designation earlier this year and now receiving three international awards reinforces what we are building in Riverside,” said Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson. “Our Economic Development team is competing at the highest level, attracting investment, creating jobs and building partnerships that are producing meaningful results for our community.”

The International Economic Development Council is the world’s largest membership organization for economic developers. Its annual Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize communities, organizations and initiatives demonstrating innovation, leadership and measurable economic impact.

“These international honors are a powerful affirmation of the work we have done to rebuild and strengthen our Economic Development team around a standard of excellence, measurable results and meaningful economic impact,” said Miranda Evans, Community & Economic Development Director. “Through our APEX, BEST and CATALYST teams, we are taking a more strategic, proactive and partnership-driven approach to attracting investment, supporting businesses, revitalizing real estate and unlocking opportunity throughout Riverside. This recognition strengthens Riverside’s credibility on the global stage and demonstrates that we are not only competing with leading economic development organizations, we are delivering results that are positioning Riverside as the city of choice for investment and business development.”

Bronze Award- Economic Development Organization of the Year
Riverside Economic Development was recognized for its strategic, results-driven approach to advancing business growth, investment and entrepreneurship. Through its APEX, BEST and CATALYST teams, the City delivers coordinated strategies for business attraction, retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, real estate development, and workforce and talent development.

Through Riverside Realized, the City welcomed six international companies in just 18 months, generating more than $142 million in private investment and creating more than 700 quality jobs. That momentum extends across Riverside’s business community, with expanded support for existing businesses and entrepreneurs through RISE, dedicated concierge business services, the One Stop Shop, targeted industry development, and strategic partnerships that connect employers directly to workforce, training and talent pipelines.

The recognition reflects Riverside’s growing position as a destination for business, talent, innovation and investment and its commitment to unlocking opportunity and long-term economic growth.

Gold Award- Real Estate Development & Reuse
Riverside received the Gold Award for Farmhouse Collective, recognizing excellence in redevelopment, adaptive reuse and revitalization projects that create economic value and advance community goals.

Farmhouse Collective transformed a historic, long-vacant motel into a vibrant marketplace through a public-private partnership. The project supports 15 local vendors, created more than 100 jobs and leveraged more than $2 million in private investment while preserving and reactivating a historic Riverside property.

Silver Award- Special Event
The City received the Silver Award for the Aerospace Community Expo, which brought together more than 2,200 students, educators, aerospace companies, military organizations and workforce partners.

Through hands-on experiences and direct connections to the aerospace industry, the event introduced the next generation to career opportunities while strengthening Riverside’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing talent pipeline and supporting the City’s long-term industry attraction strategy.
Together with Riverside’s Accredited Economic Development Organization designation, the three IEDC awards mark a significant milestone in the City’s economic development strategy and the continued evolution of its Economic Development team.

The recognition reflects Riverside’s growing position as a premier destination for investment and business development- a city where companies can invest, entrepreneurs can build, industries can grow and partnerships can translate into lasting economic opportunity.

Ryan J. Railsback
Acting Public Information Officer, City of Riverside
+1 951-231-5820
RRailsback@RiversideCA.gov

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