Whatever the business, expansion-minded companies are finding that Southwest California offers much more than just a ready supply of developable land. One of the region’s biggest selling points is its educated, skilled work force. Nearly one quarter of the region's residents hold bachelor's degrees and more than 32 percent are professionals and managers. Access to good talent who are living in the area is a major attraction, and as the price of gas continues to rise, these skilled workers are more anxious than ever to end long expensive commutes and work locally.

Southwest California companies also draw educated, skilled workers from the 23 institutions of higher learning located within an hour's drive, including California State University San Marcos’ new off-campus center in Temecula.

The Southwest California Economic Alliance was founded in 1999 allowing the four cities and the county to work together more effectively to attract business. The goal of the Economic Alliance is to stimulate economic development within the Southwest region targeting larger companies in the high-technology, biotechnology, telecommunications and federal contract industries, which will in turn create high-paying jobs and thus expand the region's tax base. These industries were chosen after identifying existing clusters and available skilled workers in the Southwest California region, as well as the many strengths of the region that lend to supporting these industries.

The Economic Alliance’s Business Attraction Specialists are always available to personally work with new or relocating businesses to help them find an appropriate building or site within the region, to provide industry reports and demographics, and act as a liaison between City and County departments and staff. They are committed to providing the assistance and resources needed to help in the site selection/relocation/ expansion process. This award winning website, contains a wealth of helpful information including Southwest Site Finder, a Geographic Information System (GIS), showing available properties and land. The website also includes a complete regional resource guide, a commuter computer to help calculate the average cost of commuting outside the area to work and a listing of available jobs with local employers.