San Bernardino County, CA– San Bernardino County, a region that has fostered such diverse
brands as GIS mapping leader Esri, animatronics designer Garner Holt Productions, flashlight
innovator Maglite, as well as fast food brands McDonald’s and Del Taco, will celebrate
entrepreneurs countywide this November.
Since 2018 the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed the month of November
as Entrepreneurship Month and November 20 as Entrepreneur’s Day. The proclamation recognizes
that the County is home to countless start-ups and Fortune 500 firms. To that end, San Bernardino
County will promote entrepreneurs as well as bring awareness to the initiatives and programs that
help local startups and small businesses to grow and thrive.
“San Bernardino County is a region full of opportunity. We remain an affordable location to live and
invest, when compared to Southern California’s coastal regions. Our supporting and collaborative
education partners and regional agencies make San Bernardino County a strong choice for
entrepreneurs,” said San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Fourth District
Supervisor Curt Hagman
Supporting entrepreneurship exemplifies how County Government guides itself by the four pillars of
its organizational culture – value, innovation, service and vision.
“Making San Bernardino County a place where these four principles come together is foundational to
the Board of Supervisors’ efforts to create a community where residents and investors can prosper
and achieve well-being,” said County Chief Executive Officer Leonard X. Hernandez.
Here’s just some of what makes San Bernardino County a strong region for startups:
According to Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report, San Bernardino County is a
recognized and growing startup hub. One area of business strength cited in the report is advanced
manufacturing and robotics. To support workforce and business development, Startup Genome made
note of the County’s innovative education infrastructure.
In 2020, California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) launched the School of
Entrepreneurship, the first of its kind in California and one of less than 15 existing worldwide, adding
to the university’s highly successful entrepreneurship program. The School of Entrepreneurship
places CSUSB as a leading entity in the growing field of entrepreneurship education.
In addition, the San Bernardino Community College District was awarded $37 million in the state’s
fiscal 2021-22 spending plan. The award is being used in part to build a modern workforce training
center at San Bernardino Valley College that will be a hub for students pursuing careers in water
management, heavy truck technology, and machining, among other fields.
There are many areas of success for startups in San Bernardino County. For example, the region is
home to a growing electric transportation infrastructure, featuring young firms such as electric
charging station manufacturer KIGT, as reported during the county’s recent State of the County and
Regional Business Summit.
To help small business to grow, San Bernardino County’s economic development team provides a
number of important programs and initiatives that include site selection assistance, business plan
development, permitting assistance, workforce assistance as well as demographic and market
reports.
The County’s Economic Development Department works in concert with many regional agencies and
centers that target business development including the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program
that promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through mentoring, business training and
business counseling services; the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC) that
provide assistance and connects small businesses to resources in order to succeed; and the CDC
Small Business Finance Corporation which helps entrepreneurs by advocating for and providing
access to affordable and responsible capital.
About San Bernardino County: Located at the heart of Southern California, an economy of 23
million people, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States. Its vast borders
stretch from the greater Los Angeles area to the Nevada border and the Colorado River
encompassing a total area of 20,160 square miles. Comprised of 24 incorporated cities and towns,
San Bernardino County encompasses more than two million residents with a workforce of over
950,000. Its assets include an innovation corridor of close to two dozen colleges and universities
supporting a strong, diverse workforce along with an unparalleled collection of roadways, runways
and railways that lead to regional, national and international business centers. Learn more at
www.selectsbcounty.com.
