GlobeSt.com: What is driving some of the success you are seeing today?

Reenders: An important positive trend is the increase in housing sales and housing starts. Retail follows rooftops. DataQuick reported that in April 2,512 houses were sold in San Bernardino County. That was 9.6% more than the same month in 2012. And the value of these homes continues to increase. In San Bernardino County, the median price of a home increased to $195,000, up from $190,000 in March and up 24.8%, from $156,250, in April 2012. The firm further reported that sales in high-end neighborhoods are increasing. Chapman University credits a slowly improving job market, especially in the Inland Empire. Retailers are responding by expanding into the region.

GlobeSt.com: How can the County help an owner/developer who wants to expand there?

Reenders: The Economic Development Agency is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for businesses and residents. Our agency can provide data and resources to guide relocation and expansion decisions. We can also customize a site selection package based on specific search criteria. Free site selection assistance is offered to new and existing businesses within the County. This assistance consists of a confidential site search for available properties based on specific, client-provided site criteria, as well as coordinating site tours.

GlobeSt.com: How does the County help expanding retailers and tenants?

Reenders: We can provide a number of workforce training and hiring resources through our Workforce Investment Board. Its resource team can source funding for employee training, whether that is to upgrade the skills of existing employees or hire and train new employees through subsidized and on-the-job training programs. It also offers help with recruiting qualified employees, business consulting, job fairs, market research and business workshops.

GlobeSt.com: What is the current state of the redevelopment agency dissolution?

Reenders: As a result of the dissolution of the California State Redevelopment Program, former redevelopment agencies are being required to dispose of their real estate holdings. This is creating a number of unique investment opportunities across the State. The County and its cities will also have a number of potential former redevelopment agency properties that could align well with a company's real estate strategy. We recommend that interested parties reach out to our agency.

GlobeSt.com: Tell me about the county's vision regionally.

Reenders: Public agencies must take a long-term outlook on how to develop and dedicate scarce resources in order to evolve effectively into cities where both corporations and entrepreneurs can thrive and grow. The real challenge is engaging in hands-on vision planning that encourages certainty, predictability and provides an environment conducive to long-term investment, business success and employee quality of life. Last year, the County of San Bernardino completed a six-month Countywide vision process. For the first time in its history, all of the County's 24 cities and towns, business leaders, public agencies, education and County leadership collaborated to create a vision of the future. The County's Vision Statement expresses this idea: "We envision a complete county that capitalizes on the diversity of its people, its geography, and its economy. . . We envision a vibrant economy with a skilled workforce that attracts employers who seize the opportunities presented by the county's unique advantages…."

GlobeSt.com: How does the Vision benefit a developer, investor or retailer?

Reenders: It creates certainty. Internally our County employees understand that they have a role in helping a developer, investor, retailer or broker make a successful transaction. They know that their job is to guide individuals through any processes or regulations to find a positive outcome. This proactive approach makes a difference. And it provides certainty from our County leadership who in turn are focused on what is needed to implement the Vision. Having a wide ranging choice of entertainment, shopping and dining in the County of San Bernardino adds tremendously to the overall quality of life for our residents. Encouraging national name brands and local entrepreneurs to invest and grow here helps to build our workforce. Working together is how we make our vision of a complete county a reality.