The City of Montclair implements strategies and services that will create an environment in which business can develop and prosper. It strives to create opportunities for business attraction by targeting certain growth segments of the business community - retail, office, light manufacturing, and entertainment related businesses. While the City faces many new challenges to maximize the growth potential of the City's economic base, it continues to achieve strong financial success in expanding the City's revenue base by working closely with businesses.

The City's economic development activities are designed to stimulate business growth, both large and small, to generate local jobs. The City is highly responsive to any new businesses that show interest in locating in the City as well as attracting complementary business to our existing base.

The City has the responsibility to create and administer programs designed to stimulate economic activity and enhance City revenues. This includes the support for growth and expansion of quality commercial corridors, aggressive and targeted marketing to key business sectors, and small business support and referral services. The major areas of focus include redevelopment and expansion of new and existing commercial markets and capital improvement projects. City programs that assist businesses include the following:

Business Marketing: The economic development activities of the City are designed to generate jobs and stimulate investment in the community. This effort is being accomplished through a comprehensive marketing plan that encourages the expansion and attraction of new business investment to the City. City staff actively market and recruit business to the City in cooperation with area brokers and property owners.

Business Attraction: The City understands the important relationship between the health of the business community and the maintenance of a high quality of life for its residents. For this reason, the City is committed to promoting and assisting in the success of our businesses. To achieve this goal, the City aggressively works to promote, retain, and attract quality business in the City.

Business Assistance: City staff work jointly with the Chamber of Commerce staff to proactively visit businesses to learn of issues that might present obstacles to their operations. These efforts lead to helping businesses solve problems, such as permitting, inspection, legislative/policy, business resource referral, or simply needing basic direction.

Montclair Chamber of Commerce: Montclair Chamber of Commerce promotes the local economy by encouraging Montclair Chamber of Commerce members and Montclair residents to shop locally. The Chamber also partners with the City of Montclair to attract quality business establishments to the City and retain those currently doing business in the City. The Montclair Chamber of Commerce works closely with the Inland Valley Economic Development Corporation to assist businesses with affordable loans and business marketing assistance.

Workforce Development Department: This center provides a statewide network for listing job openings and identifying qualified job seekers, job placement/recruitment, screening by professional staff, workforce preparation, and customized training programs.

Available Site Search: City staff, in cooperation with area brokers, assists businesses interested in locating a business in Montclair with site search and selection.

Information/Demographics: City staff offers reports on City and trade area demographics, traffic counts, major employers and other tools to the community and to prospective and established businesses.

Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP): The Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP) is the region's private, non-profit economic development organization, and has as its primary concern the expansion, retention, and the incubation of businesses in the area.

Inland Empire Small Business Development Center: Small business training is available to help businesses expand or create a business at minimal cost to the business owner.