In collaboration with the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce, the City of Lake Elsinore completed its 2025 Business Walk, an initiative aimed at promoting local economic growth and supporting business retention citywide.
This event brought together city staff, chamber representatives, and community partners to visit a randomized selection of businesses across Lake Elsinore to gain direct insights into the experiences, challenges, and opportunities facing local business owners.
The primary objective of the Business Walk was to engage with business owners, listen to their concerns, and identify actionable steps to support and empower the small business community.
“These walks are an essential tool for understanding the heartbeat of our local economy,” Gina Gonzalez, Director of Economic Development for the City of Lake Elsinore, said. “By speaking directly with business owners, we strengthen relationships and collect valuable, real-time feedback that guides our economic development strategies.”
Key areas of concern and opportunity identified during the walk included workforce development, infrastructure improvements, enhanced marketing support, and the need for more streamlined permitting processes. The city said these insights will give targeted solutions and inform resource allocations to better serve the local business community.
“This initiative enables the chamber and the city to be proactive in addressing the evolving needs of our local business community,” Kim Cousins, President/CEO of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce, said. “Our small businesses are the backbone of Lake Elsinore’s economy, and this effort ensures they receive the support needed to thrive.”
A detailed report outlining the findings from the 2025 Business Walk will be presented to the Lake Elsinore City Council in June 2025. The report will serve as a roadmap for future economic development initiatives and policy planning.
