An Interview with Jaime Hurtado - Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade
Looking south to Riverside County in Southern California, Jaime Hurtado, Manager of Trade Delegations and International Business Matching, answers our questions about this vibrant, diverse and growing part of our territory. We appreciate the time to catch up with Jaime and the Office of Foreign Trade. Riverside County is the first county in the United States to open an international trade office.
1. Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Jaime. Would you describe your role at the Office of Foreign Trade for our readers?
It’s an honor to be asked! In this position I’m responsible for managing and administering all logistical activities relating to visiting delegations, international visits, partnership activities and special events assigned to the Office of Foreign Trade. I have also been charged to assist and support exports and Foreign Direct Investment Opportunities in Riverside County.
2. When you welcome foreign delegations and work with companies interested in getting to know Riverside County, what are some of the things that you find most surprise them about the region?
In 2019 we had 8 delegations from Canada, China, Vietnam, India, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. They all found Riverside County friendly and hospitable. Visitors were also surprised with land affordability, its proximity to Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County. We are home to world class health facilities, wineries, shopping outlets, world class resorts, educational centers, and quality health care providers. In 2018, 9,000 housing units were built with a medium value of $384,000. In higher learning, we have 135,000 college and university students enrolled, offering training in STEM fields, Arts and Culture and other varied areas of concentration. In 2017 we had a GDP of $68.7 billion and we are very active and interested in growing international markets. We accounted for $10.2 billion in exports and our 1 million workforce continues to grow in our diverse economy.
3. For those less familiar with Riverside County, would you paint a high-level picture of the size of the County, its geography and regions?
Riverside County is 7200 square miles in size, home to 2.5 million residents, 28 incorporated cities, the county’s landmass can be equated to the state of New Jersey. It’s also the 4th fastest growing county in the nation and fourth largest in California, has great weather and an hour plus drive to deserts, mountains, beaches and large urban centers.
4. What are the key industries/sectors that are strong in RivCo? And historically which sectors have been key economic drivers? Do you see this continuing in the 2020’s?
Historically, the county has done well in agriculture, hospitality, and the logistic sectors. Some of the emerging key economic drivers we foresee on a continual growth:
Logistics- A local economist indicates that in this region this sector accounts for 23.6 percent of jobs created and expects to generate 190,000 jobs in the Inland Empire.
Healthcare- An aging population and more health coverage will assist in generating more health care related jobs, this region expects to add an additional 2,200 jobs.
Construction- Riverside County is about 85% undeveloped and we still have a great need for single-family homes, industrial facilities and infrastructure.
Manufacturing- Our transportation corridors, being close to international airports and the Port of Los Angeles, plus home to three Foreign Trade Zones, makes it very attractive for manufacturers to conduct business here.
Professional, Management and Scientific work- This sector is certainly growing, especially with the California Air Resources Board Facility now being constructed near the University of California Riverside. This facility brings over four hundred high-paying jobs to our area and over $411 million in investment.
5. RivCo and Canada share an important economic connection from Canadian owned enterprises providing jobs, Canadian investment in the region, and Riverside County companies who export to Canada. Would you share a couple of examples of where you have seen businesses grow through this connection between Canada and Riverside County?
We are so fortunate to have Canada as one of our strongest trading partners. Canadian visitors also contribute significantly to our local economy. We enjoy more than 300,000 Canadian visitors to the Coachella Valley on a yearly basis. Canadian spending power exceeds over $230 million, almost $500 more per trip than any other visitor.
Canada is responsible for being number one in Riverside County in Foreign Owned Enterprises. They are providers to more than three thousand jobs and own approximately 90 foreign owned enterprises while providing more than $140 million in wages in our our local workforce.
It should be noted that regionally Canadians rank second as the largest buyer of California goods. Trade between Canada and California is responsible for 553,000 jobs in Southern California. In terms of goods exports, it is estimated that SoCal exports $9.6 billion to Canada.
6. Since we are at the start of a new year and a new decade even, what are some of the priorities that you and your department have with respect to trade and inbound investment? And where does Canada figure in this picture?
The Office of Foreign Trade will strive and thrive and continue to do business with the world. Much focus will be spent on bilateral agreements, working with local agencies on promoting Riverside County Foreign Trade Zones and Opportunity Zones while being present and accessible to whomever wants to do business here.
7. Would you share a little bit about how the Office of Foreign Trade is organized?
The Office was established in 2009 and one of its kind back in the day. We are staffed with a Commissioner of Foreign Trade, A Manager of Trade Delegations and International Business Matching, an Office Of Foreign Trade Lead and local college Interns. We are also supported and collaborate with staff members from our mother agency Riverside County’s Economic Development Agency known as EDA.
8. For businesses interested in getting to know more about the opportunities for them in Riverside County, what is the best way for them to follow-up?
Riverside Center
3403 10th St. Suite 300
Riverside , CA 92501
Phone: (951) 955-2714
Carrie Harmon
Commissioner of Foreign Trade
E-mail CHarmon@rivco.org
Veselina Farooq
Office of Foreign Trade Lead
Email: VFarooq@rivco.org
Jaime C. Hurtado
Manager of Trade Delegations and International Business Matching
E-mail jchurtado@rivco.org
Our website: www.rivcoeda.org/oft
9. Are there any key events or programs coming up later this year that Canadian businesses or even businesses within other parts of Southern California should be aware of when considering Riverside County as part of their growth plans?
We are excited to launch our Export Training Assistance Program (ETAP) coming up in February, our College Of Foreign Trade Seminars, a Port of Los Angeles Tour that will be offered to our ETAP participants, local elected officials and community leaders. The signing of the USMCA Agreement will bring much opportunity to our region and strengthen our relationship with Canada and Mexico. We look forward to our strong partnership with the MAPLE Business Council, its events and resources.
10. Finally, from a personal perspective, what do you personally enjoy about living and working in Riverside County?
Riverside County has been my home since childhood, most of my extended family is here, I have many close friends here, the county has been my employer for the past 17 years, I truly enjoy my job and the opportunity to help people at a local and global level.
Jaime, thank you for sharing your perspectives and providing a window on the Riverside County market. We are also very grateful for the four years of participation and support that the Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade has given to MAPLE Business Council.