The grand opening event for the Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC) is set to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 3-5 p.m. The ERC, a collaborative initiative between the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino, the Riverside County Office of Economic Development and the city of Temecula, will be located at 43200 Business Park Drive in Temecula.

The ERC, situated on the entire second floor of the Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange, aims to become a central hub for small business training and technical assistance services. It will bring together a diverse range of entrepreneurial support organizations, providing a comprehensive set of resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Temecula and adjacent communities. This includes workshops and seminars, multilingual one-on-one counseling and specialized programs.

According to Mike Stull, professor of entrepreneurship and director of the IECE and the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship, the ERC's goal is to improve access to resources, boost the rate of business creation and enhance the long-term sustainability of local small businesses. The center will actively address disparities in small business ownership and entrepreneurship by focusing on outreach to underrepresented groups in the region.

"The ERC in Temecula is exemplary in bringing together public education and local government to support the economic dynamism of our region through the creation of new companies and the growth of existing ventures," said Tomás Gómez-Arias, dean of the CSUSB Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration.

Stull added, "The ERC is a great addition to the region that will work closely with and supplement existing efforts, such as the Inland Empire Tech Bridge, ExCITE incubator and Murrieta Innovation Center.”

 The grand opening ceremony will be attended by distinguished guests, including Temecula Mayor James Stewart and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington. The event promises to be a celebration of collaboration, innovation and the commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Temecula and its surrounding areas.