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From its inception, the Riverside County Economic
Development Agency (EDA) has been merging, trans-
forming, and adapting to changes in the county
government landscape.e EDAwas createdunder Board
action on November 7, 1989, which consolidated the
Economic and Community Development Department
(ECD) and the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) andCounty
Airports. In1994, the Private IndustryCouncil/JobTraining
department was added to EDA. is was the first in a
series of “troubled” departments that EDA turned around,
correcting financial and administrative problems and
creating soundly managed programs.
In 1996, the Riverside County Fair & National Date
Festival came under EDA and 1997 brought in the
County Airports. Both the Fair and the Airports were
financially challenged with deteriorating facilities and
under EDA’s direction they have become self-supporting
with greatly improved facilities. In 1999 and 2000, the
Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens and the Riverside
County Housing Authority joined EDA. County Service
Areas or Community Service Division came on board
in 2002. In 2009, EDA merged with Riverside County
FacilitiesManagement to become one of themost robust
and reputable departments in the County. Robert Field
was appointed to the position of Assistant County
Executive Officer/EDA for the Agency.
EDA has had a history of change, but also of growth
and welcomed additions. In 1989, EDA started with
a staff of less than 20 employees. EDA now manages
a staff of over 800. EDA’s budget has grown from the
hundreds of thousands to the hundreds of millions.
EDA continually strives to create communities where
all residents have access to quality housing in neigh-
borhoods that are attractive, functional and safe;
support a broad spectrum of business growth and
ensure companies have ongoing access to an ample
and globally competitive workforce; and provide our
residents with the recreational and cultural activities
that enrich their lives. The mantra of Riverside
County’s very first Board of Supervisors, in 1893, was
“the business of the county is business, not politics.”
The work and dedication of EDA staff reflects this
noble declaration.
Riverside County
Economic Development Agency
History/Overview
<
BY TH E N UM B E R S
>
20
EDA Employees in 1989
830
EDA Employees today
22
Number of divisons under
the EDA umbrella