Riverside County Businesses Take Maiden Voyage to Port of Los Angeles

Southwest Riverside County business owners on Tuesday were among 58 from throughout the county who made the trek to the Port of Los Angeles.

The first of its kind, the visit was "to see firsthand how the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach operate and how port operations can make or break their businesses imports or exports," stated Tom Freeman, commissioner of the Riverside County Economic Development Agency and Office of Foreign Trade.

The tour included a briefing on port activities and economic impacts, along with passage aboard a ship, according to a news release.

Freeman further remarked:

"While Riverside County is located approximately 60 miles from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the ports are the lifeline to exports of billions in products manufactured or grown in Riverside County.

"The event was one more part of Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade efforts to educate the business community and business owners on the opportiunes to grow their business by exporting products made in the county or by bringing goods in the county that are assembled here.

"Business owners from every region of the county were represented at (Tuesday's) meetings. The 90-minute briefing and floating tour was provided free of charge by the County of Riverside and the Port of Los Angeles. Special thanks to port team members Jim MacLellan and  Norman Arikawa for their outstanding assistance in working with the County Office of Foreign Trade to make the event possible.  

"Future visits are in the works for elected and appointed leaders of the county and its 28 cities.  

"The close proximity to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, our four Foreign Trade Zones, Ex-Im Bank partnership, nation leading number of EB 5 Regional Finance Centers, and our Enterprise Zone are significant incentives for retention and attraction of businesses in the County of Riverside. It is one of the many reasons why Riverside County has immerged as an international commerce destination and is an Export leader in the USA.

"Federal representatives from the SBA were also on hand with county officials to help make the 90-minute voyage a success.

"Almost every city in the county had at least one business owner in attendance."

The Riverside County World Trade and Investment Summit is scheduled for June 6, Freeman noted.