The business community is generally broken into 2 groups - commercial (retail), and industrial. We think of commercial as being sales tax-producing and industrial as providing and creating the kind of jobs that match our workforce.

Our commercial business is as strong as any in the state and shows no signs of slowing down. The Promenade Mall had a great deal to do with this success. The Mall and all the stores and restaurants that have sprung up around it has made significant contributions to our business health. We have become the retail hub of Southwest Riverside County. This has come about mostly because of the excellent decisions made by our city leaders. As a result, Temecula will generate about $30,000,000 this year in sales tax for our city’s general fund. That represents a per capita sales tax rate of almost three times the average for the State of California. Since a disproportionate share of city revenues come from sales taxes, this number represents the best measure of a city’s ability to provide services to their residents. Obviously Temecula does extremely well in that regard.

Our industrial business base has grown nicely over the years; however the need for more high quality jobs still exists. Unquestionably we are moving in the right direction, but there is still more work to do. Companies like Guidant (now Abbott) are undergoing extensive expansions in our city and adding the kinds of jobs that better match our residents’ education and skill levels.