The Good News: For years, our Economic Development Department was under-resourced—but that’s changing. Between 2019 and 2022, I proudly supported efforts to quadruple the size of the department and launch two major initiatives: the Economic Development Strategic Plan and the Downtown Revitalization Plan.
These plans are already delivering results. Our team is now laser-focused on retaining the incredible businesses that call Corona home—and attracting new ones through our Work, Live, Shop Corona program. This initiative is designed to bring great jobs to our city, helping match local talent with new business opportunities right here in Corona.
Over the past seven years, I’ve spoken with dozens of business owners who have expanded—or wanted to expand—in Corona. Two concerns come up again and again:
- Traffic – Congestion is hurting deliveries and daily operations.
- Permitting Delays – Staffing cuts and retirements left our permitting process slow and outdated.
We’ve made progress, but there’s more to do.
In 2021, I led the creation of a Building and Permitting Ad-Hoc Committee with a clear mission: streamline the permitting process, simplify inspections, and help businesses open faster. We’re building a culture of “Getting to Yes.” While we’re not there yet, we’ve made real strides.
City staff have developed video tutorials and process flowcharts to help residents and business owners navigate the system. We’ve also launched public dashboards and performance metrics so everyone can track our progress: https://corstat.coronaca.gov/stories/s/Building-Division-Dashboard/k78n-it9q.
As of 2025, our Economic Development team has grown to seven dedicated professionals—all working to retain local businesses, revitalize our downtown, and bring high-quality jobs to Corona.
Downtown Revitalization: A New Era Begins
In late 2024, the City Council took bold action by acquiring the property in the long-neglected South Mall from an underperforming developer. We reimagined the space, redesigned the parking lot, added a vibrant outdoor patio, and gave the center a new name: THE HUB.
In 2025, we celebrated a major milestone—the opening of Circle City Tavern, the first new restaurant in the Downtown Mall in over 30 years! Alongside The Wine Down, an upscale wine and charcuterie bar, these new businesses mark the beginning of a transformative new chapter for Downtown Corona—with many more exciting additions on the way.