News

The City of Lake Elsinore continues to surge ahead as one of Southwest Riverside County’s fastest-growing and most business-friendly communities. During a year end wrap up presentation on Economic Development in the City of Lake Elsinore to the Lake Elsinore City Council, Economic Development Director Gina Gonzalez presented an update highlighting the City’s remarkable progress in business attraction, development, and tourism investment — solidifying Lake Elsinore’s position as a regional leader in innovation, action sports, and quality of life.

“Our focus has been to create a city where businesses can thrive, families can prosper, and visitors can experience something truly unique,” said Gonzalez. “Lake Elsinore is building a vibrant economic ecosystem driven by smart planning, strong partnerships, and an incredible community spirit.”

Business Development on the Rise

The city introduced a new Business Retention program, Building Better Businesses (B3), and Real Estate Leaders Program, which have strengthened partnerships with local and regional stakeholders, helping attract and retain companies across industries, sharing important Lake Elsinore updates on progress and achievements in the city. New collaborations with the Governor’s Office, Small Business Development Center, Riverside County Workforce Development, and the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Riverside County are expanding opportunities in advanced manufacturing, clean tech, AI, aerospace, action sports manufacturing and recreational opportunities.

In 2025 alone, Lake Elsinore celebrated the attraction of 50 new and/or forthcoming site selection approvals such as but not limited to:

• 3 new corporate hotel approvals for site selection in Lake Elsinore
• 2 new specialty grocers and 16 restaurants for site selection in Lake Elsinore
• 3 industrial and recreation-based businesses for site selection in Lake Elsinore
• Major new attractions and events such as the Dream Extreme Regatta and Grand Prix 2026

These projects represent more than 770,000 square feet of new development, generating an estimated $1.8 million in new projected annual tax revenues and over 1,800 new jobs.

Downtown and Commercial Center Revitalization

The City’s revitalization initiatives are reshaping its commercial core through targeted multi department and multi-agency commercial property taskforce for commercial center maintenance and care program, processing new commercial and industrial design guidelines for development certainty, and new commercial marketing initiatives geared towards business attraction. Work is also underway on an Auto Park/Cluster Study for the city’s auto cluster along Camino Del Norte, and also a partnership is in progress with Urban Land Institute (ULI) on Downtown Main Street revitalization for new shopping and retail opportunities for policy direction for the downtown of Lake Elsinore.

The City is also working on a new Economic Development Strategy to assist in blue-print plans for investment opportunities over the next five years—ensuring that infrastructure, workforce, and economic policies align with the City’s ambitious growth goals.

Tourism, Action Sports, and Entertainment

Lake Elsinore is embracing its natural assets and adventurous spirit through an Action Sports Industry Growth & Attraction Plan (2040) that capitalizes on the city’s reputation as a hub for outdoor and water sports. Key projects included:

• Elsinore Yacht Club Sailing School and Water Sport Rentals
• Re-opening of Summerly Golf Course (new ownership) and Motocross Park (Lake Elsinore Raceway)
• First indoor hockey rink in Southwest Riverside County (in construction)

The City is also developing a Visit Lake Elsinore tourism platform with an interactive visitor website, refreshed branding, and an upcoming Tourism Improvement District (PBID) initiative to drive reinvestment and marketing.

Investing in People and Possibility

Education partnerships with Mt. San Jacinto College and local charter schools are fueling workforce pipelines in cybersecurity, AI, culinary, and advanced manufacturing. The first Vista Charter School opened this August, with additional projects underway to support career technical education in Lake Elsinore.

A City on the Move

From new development and tourism growth to cutting-edge education and industry partnerships, Lake Elsinore continues to attract investment and opportunity.

“Lake Elsinore is no longer the next destination—it’s THE destination HUB for business, recreation, and innovation,” Gonzalez said. “The future is now, and it’s happening right here in Lake Elsinore. with the second highest median income in Southwest Riverside County behind Temecula, Lake Elsinore has more than momentum, we have energy and action.