About Us:
Bridge
Builders
What We Do
We help build bridges between businesses and opportunities. As the largest county in the U.S., at over 20,000 square miles, you need an informed partner like us to connect you with the best locations and people our county has to offer.
How We Do It
By actively engaging with all aspects of the business ecosystem, we stay up to date with what’s happening across our dynamic County. When it comes to making the right connections in San Bernardino County, you can count on us to put you in touch with the resources and people you need to make your business prosper and grow.
An Array
of Services
At the Economic Development Agency, we connect businesses with the people and resources you need to make your business succeed.
Economic Development
The Economic Development Department provides free site selection assistance. If you need help with permitting or understanding local regulations, we’re your go-to resource. Looking for local market information, demographic data, or incentive programs? We’ve got the latest information.
International Investment
Over 800 foreign-owned businesses have a footprint in the County. Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, and China are the five biggest trade partners. France, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Australia, and Switzerland have a significant presence as well.
Workforce Development
With a countywide workforce of nearly one million people, our Workforce Development Department helps businesses meet their ongoing hiring and training needs. Businesses need skilled workers, and we can help you find them.
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development
When you’re ready to start your own business, let us help you with site selection assistance specific to your needs. We’re happy to help coordinate site tours and connect you with real estate brokers, developers, utilities, and other public agencies. We can also point you in the right direction when it comes to assistance with permitting, regulation, incentives, and accessing market and demographic information.
Travel and Tourism
People flock to San Bernardino County to hike in our world-renowned national parks, ski our majestic mountains, and explore our intriguing history. We can explain the tourism business landscape across our vast county and connect you with the resources you need to get started.
Film and Photography Permitting
San Bernardino County has a long working relationship with nearby Hollywood. We can help find accommodations for cast and crew and inform you about incentive programs. We specialize in obtaining film permits for the entertainment industry. Our knowledgeable, friendly, and responsive staff are hallmarks of our service.
Our
Team
We are your go-to information center for business services and workforce needs.
Stephanie Ramirez
Executive Secretary to the Deputy Executive Officer
Stephanie.Ramirez@eda.sbcounty.govReg Javier
Deputy Executive Officer
Reg joined the County of San Bernardino as the Deputy Executive Officer over the Economic Development Agency in October of 2016. The Agency houses both Economic Development and Workforce Development across San Bernardino County.
Previously, Reg worked in workforce development for over 25 years. During this time, he held positions ranging from front line staff to executive leadership. He’s worked at the national, state, and local levels including almost 15 years with the State of California Employment Development Department where he worked in all phases of both Unemployment Insurance and Employment Services.
Reg spent five years overseeing the entire adult workforce system for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Workforce Investment Board. Over the next half-decade he headed up national and international consulting in Workforce Development, Economic Development and Higher Education at the Boston-based Public Consulting Group.
Over the course of his career, Reg has worked on policy development, system designs, redesigns, strategies, operations, and capacity building at the local, state, and national levels.
Soua Vang, MCR
Economic Development Manager
Soua specializes in business attraction, retention, and expansion initiatives. She is responsible for overseeing and implementing a variety of targeted economic development and marketing strategies to bring more jobs and investment into the County.
Her responsibilities also include managing sales and use tax revenues of major projects for the department. Her passion is developing productive working relationships with public and private industry to bring job creation and opportunities for the residents of San Bernardino County.
Soua received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino and her Master of Corporate Real Estate from CoreNet Global—one of the most prestigious professional corporate real estate associations in the world.
Monique Carter, MPA, MCR
Communications & Marketing
Monique has extensive experience in marketing (both traditional and digital), communications, and economic development. With more than ten years’ experience, she has built a reputation as a consummate professional. Currently, she manages the Agency’s marketing and communications efforts which include: website, social media, content development, paid and earned media, brand development, video production, advertising, promotional collateral, and events.
Prior to working for the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, Monique served as a development specialist at Riverside County Economic Development Agency, where she worked to foster business growth through attraction, retention, and marketing efforts.
Deeply committed to the success of the region, Monique serves as the President of the Inland Empire Tourism Council, served on the Board of Directors for High Desert Opportunity, and sits on the Rural Marketing Committee for Visit California.
Monique received her Master of Corporate Real Estate from CoreNet Global and completed the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate Ross Minority Program in Real Estate Certificate—winning the Best Development Proposal Award. Monique understands that this industry moves fast, and while it can be crazy-making, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Elisa Laurel, MPA, MCR
Business Development & Entrepreneurship
Elisa works closely with private industry, the brokerage community, and local stakeholders to bring job creation and capital investment to the County. She has facilitated the occupancy of over 2.1 million square feet of real estate space for end-users, ranging from small businesses to major corporate brands that led to the creation of over 1,000 jobs and assisted in obtaining over $1 million in tax credits for businesses.
Heavily involved with the region, Elisa is passionate about its development efforts. She serves as the Inland Empire Vice President for the Southern CA Chapter of CoreNet Global, and is a candidate for CoreNet Global’s Master of Corporate Real Estate Designation. She also serves on the Programs Committee for NAIOP Inland Empire (A Commercial Real Estate Development Association) and is a Graduate of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership’s Leadership Academy.
Elisa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration Degree from California State University, San Bernardino.
Rhonesia Perry
Tourism Development & Marketing
Rhonesia brings a fresh perspective to tourism development in San Bernardino County, following 25 years of service within the private tourism / hospitality sector. As the Tourism Development expert for the Economic Development Agency, her experience includes international tourism, hotel development and operations, and her passion—destination marketing.
“Rhonesia has a stellar reputation for forming relationships with the community and professionals in the hospitality industry.” says Michael Krouse, CEO and President of Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Rhonesia holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communications from San Jose State University; where she learned the value of a collaborative approach to communication.
Richard Vaughn, MPA
Business Development & International Investment
Richard specializes in economic development for San Bernardino County where he oversees a number of economic development efforts. He has extensive experience in business retention, attraction, expansion, marketing, federal direct investment, and international trade efforts.
With more than four years of experience, he works closely with public and private industry to bring capital investment, job creation, and greater economic opportunities to San Bernardino County.
Richard received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and his Masters in Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino.
Matt Mena
Business Development
Matt is a young and eager Economic Developer who relies on his education and experience in the private sector to help grow our local economy. He plays a significant role in business retention, attraction, expansion, and marketing efforts. His willingness to adapt to whatever a project entails makes him a helpful ally to businesses across San Bernardino County.
A San Bernardino County native, Matt earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from California State University, San Bernardino, and also has experience in website development and management. He’s passionate about contributing to the economic growth of San Bernardino County.
Stephanie Ramirez
Executive Secretary to the Deputy Executive Officer
Stephanie has seven years of experience providing administrative support to executives and leaders in San Bernardino County. Her knowledge and expertise have been developed over the years with the Department of Behavioral Health, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and currently the Economic Development Agency.
Stephanie received her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies from Riverside Community College and is currently earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, San Bernardino.
