Temecula, CA – November 20, 2025

The Southern California Wine Country region is not only a scenic and lifestyle-rich place — it is also rapidly becoming a business destination thanks to a strong emphasis on community safety and livability. As companies look to relocate or expand, the region’s reputation for safe streets, stable neighborhoods and responsive local governments is proving to be a key differentiator.

“In today’s competitive marketplace for business expansion, community safety is no longer optional—it’s foundational. When a company considers our region, they’re looking for certainty: safe infrastructure, stable neighborhoods, a workforce that feels invested. Our region delivers on all of those. We believe that safe streets create strong economies, and we see that dynamic playing out in every business we recruit, every expansion we support,” stated Connie Stopher, CEcD, Executive Director, SoCal Wine Country EDC.

In cities like Temecula, public safety is recognized as the foundation of economic vitality. “Our City’s beauty and safeness fuel the local economy and continue to attract upscale development, redevelopment projects, and new business establishments, which is why Temecula invests heavily into public safety,” stated Mayor Brenden Kalfus.

In Temecula, the latest crime index registers at 123 — nearly half the national average for similar‐sized U.S. cities. City of Menifee’s, violent crime rates are reported at less than 9 per 1,000 residents, significantly below county and national average. Riverside County’s violent crime rate is approximately 65 per 100,000 – more than 38% below the U.S. average
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For the Southern California Wine Country Economic Development Coalition (SoCal Wine Country EDC), safety is not simply a social good — it is a business catalyst. Firms relocating or expanding often ask: Will our employees feel safe? Will supply-chain logistics operate smoothly? Will our site recruit talent easily? The region answers “yes” to all three.

"As someone who works with the community along with programs for youth, teens, adults, mainstream and special needs, it's important to be in an area that represents safety. I want families to feel safe when dropping off their kids and family members for creative programs, events and classes. Being located inside a city that understands that and makes it a priority is important when relocating and or expanding a business," shared Diane Strand, Executive Producer JDS Studio & nonprofit founder JDS Creative Academy, in Temecula.

Why Safety Equals Business Growth

1. Talent attraction and retention.
Companies relocating want regions where employees will stay, feel safe, invest in the community and thrive. With a business environment that emphasizes safe neighborhoods and quality-of-life, the region becomes more attractive to both employers and employees.

2. Operational reliability and cost-efficiency.
Fewer disruptions, lower security costs, stable infrastructure and less turnover all support strong business operations. Firms in advanced manufacturing, distr

3. Site selection advantage.
When site selectors or corporate real estate teams evaluate regions, they look for “business-friendly, safe and welcoming” places. Regions that tie safety, quality of life and business-development incentives create a powerful narrative. The SoCal Wine Country region offers targeted incentives for companies in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences and cleantech — in addition to a dedicated site-selection platform that gives real-time access to available properties and workforce/demographic data. Through programs like the Business Assistance NOW Program, firms relocating or expanding here can access financial resources, training subsidies and streamlined permitting support — all of which stem from the region’s emphasis on safe, stable communities as a foundation for business growth.

4. Community and brand strength.
A region known for safety strengthens its brand: for residents, visitors, businesses and investors alike. That positive image further attracts investment, which fuels expansion, talent and further improvements — a virtuous cycle.

Regional Efforts and Projects
The Southern California Wine Country EDC represents a region encompassing Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore and unincorporated areas of southwestern Riverside County. While the specific redevelopment and safety-infrastructure projects in the public domain are still being communicated, the region’s public-safety and economic-development strategies point clearly toward alignment and regional collaboration.

SoCal Wine Country region offers not only lifestyle and location advantages but business-friendly policies and infrastructure oriented toward manufacturing, distribution and tech. In the region, firms in advanced manufacturing, distribution and high-tech benefit from:

• A dedicated site-selection portal (RivCoSites.com)
• Major transportation infrastructure linking to Los Angeles, San Diego and the ports.
• Incentives and specialized support programs for sectors like aerospace, cleantech and advanced manufacturing.
• A well-established manufacturing/distribution base and business environment characterized by expedited permitting, pro-active city and county economic-development teams and a strong local workforce.

Looking Ahead
As SoCal Wine Country EDC focuses on expanding business attraction and retention, the theme of safe streets equating to strong businesses will be front and center. Highlighting the intersection of public-safety investment and business growth, the EDC will continue to work with municipalities in the region to showcase safety-driven infrastructure and community development projects. For firms exploring new sites in advanced manufacturing, logistics, life sciences or tech — or looking to expand an existing presence — the message is clear: a region where community safety is a priority is a region where businesses can grow.

About Southern California Wine Country EDC
The Southern California Wine Country EDC is a nonprofit economic-development organization serving Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore and southwestern Riverside County. For more than 30 years, the EDC has helped businesses relocate, expand or start up in one of Southern California’s fastest-growing and most strategic regions. Leveraging partnerships, incentives and a business-friendly environment, the EDC is committed to fostering sustainable growth, innovation and quality of life. SoCalWineCountryEDC.com


Key Takeaways

• The Southern California Wine Country region is leveraging its strong public-safety record and community stability to attract and retain businesses, offering companies confidence in infrastructure, workforce security and long-term reliability.
• Cities like Temecula and Menifee demonstrate how low crime rates and investments in public safety directly support economic vitality, enabling business expansion, talent recruitment and operational efficiency.
• With dedicated site-selection tools, targeted industry incentives and collaborative economic-development efforts, the region positions itself as a prime destination for advanced manufacturing, logistics, tech and other high-growth sectors.

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Become an Accredited EconomicDevelopment Organization!

Like vintners tending their harvests, the Southern California Wine Country Economic Development Coalition cultivates exceptional opportunities for its communities. Located in a region characterized by sweeping landscapes, vibrant innovation hubs, quality schools, top talent, and a diversified economy, the Coalition's track record speaks for itself. True to its pursuit of excellence, this EDO set its sights even higher, enrolling in the Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) program to deliver new opportunities, expanded resources, and a superb quality of life for people in their communities.

Remarkably, the Coalition earned AEDO accreditation with a one-person team, demonstrating that this achievement is within reach for economic development organizations of all sizes.

If your EDO seeks the gold standard in accreditation, the AEDO program measures your organization against highest professional standards. Benefits include:

• Enhanced Credibility: Independent verification as a leading authority in economic development
• Strategic Insight: Rigorous review process that identifies organizational strengths and growth opportunities
• Stakeholder Confidence: Elevated trust among board members, donors, and community partners
• Professional Excellence: Recognition of exceptional operations, structure, and procedures measured against industry best practices
• Elite Network Access: Membership in a prestigious community of top-performing economic development organizations
• Competitive Advantage: Demonstrated expertise that attracts resources, partnerships, and business opportunities

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For the Southern California Wine Country Economic Development Coalition, which is widely recognized as a "Blend of the Best" of what California offers, the AEDO designation confirms what the community has known all along: they're partnering with the best, and so can you.

Your journey starts here!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2025
Southern California Wine Country EDC Accredited by the International Economic Development Council
[Washington, DC] – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announces that the Southern California Wine Country EDC has been recognized as one of 90 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).
“Southern California Wine Country EDC displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle.
The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. The program consists of two phases: a documentation review and an on-site visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, funding, programs, and staff of the candidate economic development organization.
Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that Southern California Wine Country EDC has attained a measure of excellence, assuring that their trust is well-placed and their business is in good hands.
“We are honored to have received this accreditation,” said Connie Stopher, CEcD, Executive Director of the Southern California Wine Country EDC. “ It is a reflection of the EDC’s commitment to ensuring the economic vitality and sustainability of the region”.
Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years and is accomplished through documentation submission and/or onsite visits by a team of the AEDO subcommittee.
The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in the world.
 

 
About the IEDC
With over 5,000 members nationwide and abroad, IEDC offers the economic development profession one source for information and professional development, one voice for the profession and one force for advocacy. For more information on IEDC or the AEDO program, call Dana Crater at (910) 821.0245; fax (202) 223.4745; write to IEDC at 1275 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005; email [email protected]; or visit IEDC’s website at www.iedconline.org.
 
Media Contact:
Connie Stopher, CecD
Executive Director, Economic Development Coalition
[email protected]
http://socalwinecountryedc.com
951-557-8070
  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2025
Southwestern Riverside County Region Announces New Identity as “Southern California Wine Country”
TEMECULA, CA -- After over 30 years of serving the business community in Southwestern Riverside County, the Economic Development Coalition (EDC) is proud to announce a comprehensive regional rebrand. The area will now be recognized as Southern California Wine Country, reflecting its growing reputation as a premier destination for wine, tourism, and business opportunity.
This new identity aligns with the region’s rise in prominence due to its vibrant wine industry, unique lifestyle offerings, and increasing tourism. With this rebrand, the EDC aims to highlight not only the rich culture and scenic beauty of the region but also its pro-business environment, strategic location, and diverse economic potential.
“As the region becomes more well known for its wine and tourism industry, it makes sense to leverage that visibility for broader economic development,” said Connie Stopher, CEcD, Executive Director of the EDC. “Southern California Wine Country is more than a destination — it's a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs, investors, and families looking to grow and thrive.”
Alongside the regional rebrand, the EDC has unveiled a refreshed organizational brand to better align with its renewed mission to foster sustainable growth, innovation, and prosperity with Southern California Wine Country by leveraging strategic partnerships, advocating for business-friendly policies, and providing tailored resources to empower local businesses and communities.
To learn more about the new brand and ongoing initiatives, visit: SoCalWineCountryEDC.com


Media Contact:
Connie Stopher, CEcD
Executive Director, Economic Development Coalition
 [email protected]   https://socalwinecountryedc.com