The Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC) celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 24, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments provided by local small businesses and congratulatory speeches by regional dignitaries.

Situated on the second floor of the Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange, located at 43200 Business Park Drive, the ERC's opening signifies a pivotal moment in enhancing local support for small businesses and fostering entrepreneurial growth.

The ERC aims to establish itself as a central hub for small business and entrepreneurial training and services. It seeks to bring together a diverse range of entrepreneurial support organizations, providing an extensive set of resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Temecula and adjacent communities. These resources include workshops, seminars, multilingual one-on-one counseling and specialized programs.

"Our objective is to improve access to resources, boost the rate of business creation and enhance the long-term sustainability of local small businesses," said Mike Stull, professor of entrepreneurship and director of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) and the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship.

Stull emphasized that the center would actively address disparities in small business ownership and entrepreneurship by focusing on outreach to underrepresented groups in the region.

The grand opening drew a crowd of more than 200 attendees, including Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington and Temecula Mayor James "Stew" Stewart. In his speech, Washington emphasized the crucial role of collaborations and partnerships in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, while Stewart, also a small business owner, expressed his enthusiasm for the ERC and its potential impact on the region.

"When you help small businesses, you help the community,” said Washington. “[The ERC] will help small businesses and entrepreneurs learn how to thrive.”

"This is a great resource for small businesses,” said Stewart. “For a new start-up, this is a great place to begin. The impact of the ERC has yet to be seen, but it is poised to really transform the entire region."

Robert Nava, CSUSB vice president of University Advancement, commended the transformative work done by Stull and his team, emphasizing the significance of small businesses as the backbone of the economy.

"The success rate can be a challenge if owners don't have the proper training, resources and assistance. That's what the ERC is doing," said Nava.

As the ERC opens its doors, the business community in Temecula looks forward to the positive impact it will have on fostering entrepreneurship, providing essential resources for business success, and contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of small businesses in the region. The ERC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future success stories of entrepreneurs and business owners in Temecula and the surrounding areas.